Blake did not answer. He was listening to a curious sound. It was a ticking, like that of an alarm clock, and it came from the interior of the carrying case that held extra reels of film for the little camera Mr. Alcando had.
Blake felt himself staring at the black box.
CHAPTER XXII
A WARNING
"What is the matter?" asked Mr. Alcando, as he noted Blake's intent look. "Is something—?" He did not finish.
"That sound—in the film-case—" began Blake.
"Oh, my alarm clock—yes!" exclaimed the Spaniard. "I take it out with me on my trips. Often, when I have finished taking pictures, I try to do a little work on it. There is one feature I can't seem to perfect, and I hope some day to stumble on it. Without it the clock is a failure. I had it with me to-day, but I could make no progress—none at all. I think I shall put it away again," and taking with him the case, from which came that curious ticking noise, he went to his stateroom.
Blake shook his head. He did not know what to think.
"He'll never make a good moving picture operator," he said to himself. "You've got to give your whole mind to it, and not be monkeying with inventions when you set out to get views. An alarm clock!