Mr. Chadwick had grown rich from his many inventions and could afford to indulge in the luxuries of his science. But, in spite of the idea of the young enthusiasts that it would not take long to construct a model, it consumed more than a week. The work of installing the Archimedian screws, so that they would be worked properly, was especially tedious.
But at last it was done. The complicated model of the White Shark was very like its original, only it was built on a scale of an inch and a half to the foot. It was an odd looking thing, with its two screw-like fins attached to the sides. Inside it were electric motors, and Jack had devised a system of controlling it from the shore with electric wiring; for it had been previously decided to test it in the lake at High Towers. To sum up its appearance in a homely simile, the White Shark looked like a cigar-shaped bottle with corkscrews on each side.
It was an excited group that on the morning of the test emerged from the workshop in which the young inventors had wrought out their ideas. Mr. Dancer was one of the group, for, during the construction of the model, he had been a constant visitor at High Towers and had displayed much interest in the work. He had almost recovered from the cut on his head, which proved to be only a flesh wound probably inflicted with a blackjack. Nothing more had been heard of Duke, although the police had been notified and a hunt was on for the inventor’s assailant.
The united efforts of the party were required to place the model on a hand truck preparatory to wheeling it down to the lake, where a sort of launching platform had been built. The eyes of all were bright with anticipation, though, and in the general excitement and enthusiasm there was no complaint of the work, which was really hard.
High Towers Lake was a body of water partly artificial and partly natural. Thick brush grew round its edges and it was indented by many small bays or coves.
When they reached the water’s edge, they found the electric apparatus which was to control the diving model already in place and the wires ready to be connected. This did not take long, and then came a momentary pause before the ceremony of launching.
“We ought to give it a name,” declared Jack before he cut the cord which held the model in place.
“By all means,” said Mr. Chadwick; “come, Tom, think up one.”
“I have already thought of one,” was the reply.
“The Mister T. Jesson, I suppose,” scoffed Jack.