declared Mrs. King. "It won't be like dealing with government messages
or wrecks." The two boys exchanged a glance. Much as they wished to
they dared not initiate their mother into the secrets of Surfside.

"You never can tell what messages you'll catch by wireless," Bob
returned ambiguously. "Besides, Mr. Crowninshield intends to have some
of his business relayed to him from New York."

"Oh!"

"I guess I shall find plenty to do," the elder boy remarked.

"Well, I reckon you will at that rate. But do be careful, won't you?
And don't let Walter go dabbling with those evil wires."

"I'll look out for him."

The evasive answer did not, however, satisfy the woman.

"Surely you don't mean to start Walter in learning about wireless, do
you?"

"I may give him a few lessons, yes."

"Now don't you do it," retorted Mrs. King in spirited protest. "He was
always a blunderer and were he to go messing about with electrical
currents I should not have a happy moment. It is bad enough to have
one of you in constant danger without two."

"But it isn't dangerous," Walter interrupted.

"Much you know about it," declared his mother, wheeling on him with
scorn. "What experience have you had with radio, pray?"

Meekly the lad closed his lips.

"I am going to give some lessons to Mr. Crowninshield's son, Mater,
and it seemed to me it was a good chance for Walter to learn
something, too," Bob responded gently. "Sometime the kid might find it
useful to have such knowledge. You never can tell. Nothing we learn is
ever wasted."

"No, I suppose not," was the grudging reply. "Well, just stand over
him and see that he doesn't kill himself."

"I've no desire to have him killed."

"No more you have. Of course not," Mrs. King smiled. "But you know if
there is any way of crossing the wires he'll do it. He's made that
way. Still, unlucky as he is, I'd not care to lose him."

Fondly she beamed on the ill-starred Walter.

"I'll keep at his elbow, Mother," said Bob soothingly.

"I know you will. You were ever good to your brother." She patted the
big fellow's hand. "And mind the pair of you come to see me when you
can. You'll be busy, I know; but you mustn't forget your mother."

"We'll not do that," cried the boys in chorus.

Nevertheless in spite of the promise there were few opportunities
during the next few days for either of them to go a-visiting. The New
York electricians arrived and with them came aerials, generators,
detect