Page:C Q, or, In the Wireless House (Train, 1912).djvu/76



ICKY, having attended several hundred ships’ “entertainments” during his maritime career, had retired early to the wireless house, where, after a glance into the second cabin in time to hear Mr. Savage’s dismal contribution, he had remained. There were a score or so of messages to be relayed on to New York, and he had a letter to write besides; so by ten o’clock his pipe was alight and his mains had been switched on. Then his detector had got out of order, and it had taken him nearly an hour to fix it, and when he at last got working he found that Morrissy over on the Berlin was frantic with the delay.

“Hardly time to give messages,” he growled. “What’s the matter?”

“Mind own business!” Micky retorted angrily. Then the German behind began signaling for the Pavonia.