Page:Arthur Stringer - Gun Runner.djvu/382



was Aikens, the wireless-operator, who brought McKinnon and Alicia back to the world of reality.

"I've got 'em! he called excitedly, from his little station door shadowed by its awning of faded striped canvas. "I've picked something up!"

He disappeared from sight, and McKinnon could hear the crackle and spit of his "spark" across the "spark-gap."

Then the youth reappeared under the faded striped awning. He held a much-worn Panama hat in his hand, and he approached the older man with some hesitation.

"Could you help me out for a few minutes?" he asked, with a hand-wave towards his "station."

"What's wrong?"

"I've got to get somebody from the War