"I'll explain that to you later in as plain language as I can," said
the inventor, "but now I am anxious to see how this instrument will
transmit sound."

The boys were excited. Anything novel in the way of science attracted
their bright, active minds as an electromagnet attracts steel. The
idea of a wireless telephone, of the possibility of transmitting
actual speech through space, just as the dots and dashes of the
wireless telegraph are sped through the ether, quickened their
inventive faculties to the highest pitch. Both felt a glow of pride
that they had been selected, even before their father's scientific
friends, to make the first test of this wonderful new invention.

They hurried across the broad lawn that intervened between the
workshops and the orchard where the newly erected shed stood, and
which, it had been given out, was to serve for the storage of
gasoline. Unlocking the door, they found inside an apparatus
resembling in almost every detail the one in Mr. Chadwick's workshop.

Jack's hands fairly trembled as he started up the motor and the
generator began to buzz. With shining eyes and throbbing pulses he
placed the receiver to his ear as his father had directed. But the
next moment a flood of disappointment swept through him.

"Well?" demanded Tom, himself a tiptoe with expectation.

"Nothing doing," replied Jack, shaking his head. "I guess the thing
isn't at a practical stage yet."