Page:The Zeppelin Destroyer.djvu/44

 'Quite, Claude,' was her slow, thoughtful reply. 'I see now in what direction all these wonderful and patient experiments have been made. To-night you have certainly produced sparks.'

'And ere long I hope we shall increase our range, and be able to do without half the current and all its consequent paraphernalia,' was my confident reply. 'I'm certain,' I said, 'as certain as we are walking here together, that we have at last established a sound means of protecting Great Britain against Zeppelin raids.'

'I hope you have, dear,' Roseye replied. 'Oh! what a great thing it will be for the country. You and Teddy will deserve monuments—if you really can succeed.'

'We shall succeed, darling—with your assistance. I'm confident of that!'

'I—how can I help?'

'In many ways. You've already assisted us enormously,' I said. 'Teddy was only saying so to-day,' and I gripped her arm more tightly, as we turned the corner and approached the shed where Ashton was, we knew, awaiting us.

'Splendid, my dear fellow!' I cried as we re-entered. 'Sparking beautifully, all over—like fire-works!'

'Pretty dangerous fireworks!' my friend remarked. 'I cut off the current just now.'

'Yes,' I said. 'Why?'

'Well, do you know, old chap, I thought I heard somebody about!' he replied. 'Even with the dynamo running I fancied I overheard voices. Therefore I cut off at once, and went outside to see. Strangers seemed to be somewhere at the back.'