Part 15 (1/2)

”Well, if it's to please you, we'll certainly do that thing!” Bob gallantly remarked, and was rewarded by a friendly smile.

”Edna and I will speak to the manager about it this afternoon, and I know it will be all right,” she said. ”We'll tell you what he says at supper time.”

The radio boys, although they were radio enthusiasts themselves, did not actually realize how deeply interested people had become in this new and wonderful science. They were somewhat surprised, therefore, when the manager sought them out that afternoon and told them that he would be more than delighted to have them give a radio concert that evening.

CHAPTER XIV

SCORING A TRIUMPH

When he had gone the boys grinned at one another.

”We're getting to be popular around this place,” remarked Bob.

”We sha'n't be quite so popular tomorrow, if the concert broadcasted tonight isn't a good one,” said Joe.

”I only wish we could get that loudspeaker to speak just a bit louder,” said Herb. ”It's only fair now, and those people will be expecting a lot, I suppose.”

”I was thinking the same thing,” remarked Bob. ”And if we're willing to pitch in this afternoon, we can improve the strength of our set a lot”

The others looked incredulously at him.

”Explain,” said Joe. ”You've got us guessing, Bob.”

”The way we've got our set hooked up now, we're using a loop antenna, aren't we? Well,” as the others nodded a.s.sent, ”why not unwind the loop and string a double aerial on the roof? That would give us a lot more power, you know.”

”Right you are!” exclaimed Joe. ”That should make a lot of difference.”

”But if we do that, we'll have to have a ground, which isn't necessary with the loop antenna,” objected Herb.

”That's true enough,” agreed Bob. ”But that's easy, after all. We can hook our ground wire to one of the steam radiators.”

”Trust Bob to think of everything!” e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed Jimmy.

”Bob is thinking that we'd better get busy, then,” said that individual. ”Heave yourself off that nice soft couch, Jimmy, and get your hat and overcoat on.”

Jimmy emitted a dismal groan.

”Have a heart, Bob,” he complained. ”You know I worked so hard this morning that I'm all in.”

”All right, then, you stay there; but we'll tell Edna and Ruth that you refused to help,” said Joe, cruelly.

This threat had its effect, and Jimmy struggled to his feet and had his outer clothing on almost as soon as the others. It was a beautiful day outside, and after they once got warmed up, they thoroughly enjoyed the work of stringing the aerial on the roof. They brought the leading-in wire to one of the windows of the hotel parlor. It was not necessary to insulate this with anything heavier than friction tape, as this was to be only a temporary installation. Before dark they had everything ready, and then they went inside, moved their receiving set into the parlor, and connected it up to the leading-in wire. Following Bob's suggestion, they attached a ground wire to a radiator, and found that everything worked perfectly. As they had antic.i.p.ated, the signals were considerably louder, and the old phonograph horn filled the big room with a satisfying volume of sound.

During dinner the boys were so excited that they could hardly eat, and immediately afterward they hurried into the parlor. The guests had been notified of the impending concert, and soon almost everybody in the hotel had crowded into the room.

The hotel manager made a little speech introducing the boys to those who had not already become acquainted with them, and mentioning the concert that was to come. Then every one waited expectantly for the promised entertainment.

It proved unnecessary to do much tuning, as the adjustment they had secured that afternoon proved to be very nearly correct still.