"That's a blessing," said the Captain fervently. "One man down is one too many; we don't want any more casualties to our small crew. Now let us see the extent of the damage to the wireless room."
"Ciel! It is of little consequence to one who knows," replied de la Fosse, after a brief yet comprehensive examination. "I know not how you call this——"
"The magnetic detector, sir," volunteered Callaghan.
"Ah! the magnetic detector: it is out of—how you call it?—tune, ne c'est pas? The air-gap around the edge of this plate is destroyed. In two days the damage is made good."
"To anyone who understands the business," added Whittinghame.
"Oui, monsieur. Very well, then: I do you good turn. I will stop. Gaston will take my men to San José. Then in a few days I follow."
"It's awfully good of you, monsieur," said the Captain gratefully.
"Pouf!" ejaculated the Frenchman, throwing out his hands in a deprecatory gesture. "It is nothing. I will help you set it right."
This latest accident, coming on top of the previous misfortunes to the "Meteor," meant that the airship would not be ready to resume her flight for at least a week; and during a week history might be made in Valderia without Whittinghame and his companions being aware of what was going on.
Dacres got on excellent terms with Antoine de la Fosse and his son Henri, and before the end of the week he felt emboldened to tackle the Frenchmen on the subject of the Cavarale Prison.