Part 27 (1/2)

”We can try,” said a voice

She looked up startled, and in the last dying glow of the fire she saw the stolid face of Tom Slade It was the first time she had seen hih she knew fro feat and recovery of her pin She knew too of his night in the lock-up, but no knowledge of his father's connection with the affair had co to thank you--Tom; truly, I was----”

But To after hi to try for it, Tom?” said Roy ”It's after one o'clock”

”He sometimes stays there till two--he told me--he'll be there”

”How do you know?”

”Because I want him to be” ”Mary thinks you snubbed her, Tom; why didn't you speak to her?”

”I wish I had her ball to toss back,” said Tom

It was odd that he should think of that now

In the lean-to Roy lit the lantern and presently the whole troop was divided into two groups; one was getting ready the stretcher and helping Doc Carson, and the other stood about the lean-to watching Torocery box before the wireless apparatus Roy stood anxiously at his shoulder; the others waited, speaking to each other in an undertone occasionally, but never to To for him to do, and there was about hihtly his manner that day when he had been arrested

Boys came and went, Mr Ellsworth and others departed hastily with Doc, the little group in the lean-to watched and waited while Tom, apparently unconscious of all about hiap Occasionally he spoke in an undertone to Roy, but seemed oblivious of all else

”R V, isn't it?” he asked

”Yes,” said Roy

”Better look and ht,” said he

Tom laid his hand upon the key and adjusted his head receivers Then up into the darkness and out into the vast trackless sky went the call for R V

It was then the boys noticed the cloaked figure of the girl standing in the background watching ”I thought you ith Doc and Mr

Ellsworth,” soht stay,” she answered tilanced around and saw her, but showed no interest Roy sat on the edge of the instru

”They can't cut this kind of wires,” he said cheerily to Mary as if to erly she watched Tom She seeht ?” said Roy with a note of discourage instruth

”Too late, Toed silence adjusted the sending instru-coil

[Illustration: AFTER SENDING THE WIRELESS MESSAGE, TOM FINDS HIMSELF A HERO]