When Geoffrey and Franks rose, the former looked across and bowed as he went out, full of wonder and suspicion.
The days that followed proved busy days for Geoffrey. An entirely new circuit for wireless telephony had been devised by the well-known radio-expert, Captain Meredith, at the Works, and it was being tested—low voltage on the anode of the valves and a high amperage on the aerial—an achievement which had been attempted for a year with little success. Here, however, the combined brains of the Marconi personnel were again persevering towards perfection, and it had fallen upon Geoffrey to assist in some of the most delicate and intricate experiments.
Hence he had but little time to go up to London to see Sylvia.
One day, about three months later, as he sat down to luncheon in the bright, airy “officers’ mess” at the Works, one of his fellow engineers, named Davies, seated opposite him, exclaimed:
“There’s a big find of gold just made at a mine worked by the Pharaohs in Egypt. By Jove!” he added with a sigh, “mining seems to be more profitable than wireless!”
Geoffrey, pricking up his ears, instantly asked:
“Where is the mine situated?”
“Somewhere on the Red Sea, close to the ruins of an ancient city—I forget the name of the place.”
“Is it Berenice?”
“Yes—that’s the name of the place. How do you know? I was told in London yesterday, and I was told in confidence,” Davies said.