THE TEST.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20496, 22 February 1930, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE TEST.

By ELLERSLEY HALL

" Why the vacant stare, Bert?"

Bert, Payne ceased gazing into tpac* and looked across the study to where Dick Bradley was a page ot' Latin translation, an impot received 105 using a water pistol during school hours. " I've got a stunning idea," he replied. " What. Again 1" asked Dick, with' mock su'-p.nse. The entry ot the third occupant of tiio study, Frank King, prevented Bert from retaliating with a cutting reply. Frank's faco bore traces of wild excitement. " Heard the latest?" ho asked, in quick excited tones. " JNo," from both of his chums. " Whafi has happened ?" " Burglars,' replied Frank. " The Head's place has been turned upside down. Must havo happened during the afternoon school." "Gee whiz/' exclaimed Dick. thing stolen." " All the Head's tennis trophies and cups and some silver and jewellery as well." " Any clues?" from Bert. "No, but the police think it's the work of Silver Jim who has just served five years for burglary. He specialises in silver." " Crumbs," cried Dick. " What a sensation. Hope they catch the blighter." Three weeks passed. The burglary was still discussed at odd moments and the culprit was still at large. Bert's idea had taken shape and was not completed. Noone knew what it was, but from one or two hints that were dropped, Dick and Frank guessed that it wafc something to do with radio. At last they were allowed to see it. " There she is," said Bert, proudly pointing to the table, on which rested an old camera,-and a pair of head'phones connected to a small black box. " What is it ?" asked Dick. " A miniature broadcasting and receiving set," was the reply. Dick and Frank examined the various objects. The transmitter wa3 made from an old camera which had been sat on and was of no further use where photography was concerned. In the place where the Jens should have been was a tiny microphone The whole thing was wired in a most complicated way, and they felt, almost afraid to touch it.. The chums were most interested but failed to see how the thing could work. "Where do you get your power?" asked Dick. "From the earth," replied Bert. "Thero is a tiny amplifier in the back of the camera." "What about an aerial V* queried Frank. Bert showed it to him. It was the tripod belonging to the camera. It had been decorated with several yards of tine wire. ■ " See how light and compact the whole thing is?" asked Bert. " And so innocent lookmg. Look' how useful it would bo to an explorer, or a detective." " Provided it works," added Dick, with a grin. " How about giving us a demonstration ?" "Ail right," agreed, Bert. ''l'll tell you what I'll do. I'll leave the receiver hero with you and Frank and we'll tpy an up-to-date version of hare and hounds. I'll be the hare and you will have to find me by means of the directions which I shall radio to you. Will that do?" "I should say so," replied Dick. "Jf your jollv old gadget will play it's part we'll find you in no Lime. Wieti can wo hold the test ?" " This afternoon, after school," replied Bert. At a quarter past four Bert departed with his miniature transmitter leaving Frank and Dick iu possession of the receiver. He crossed the paddock at the far end of the playing field and worked his way along in the shelter of the long pine plantation, gained the far side of the hil which lay about half a mile from the school. Ho knew he was out of bounds but decided to take the risk. His destination was an old and unused house which lay behind a clump of trees.-"It was in a sad state of disrepair and was almost overgrown with creepers. " The Builds " they called it.

He reached tho place and pushing open the door, stepped inside and set up his tripod. In » few moments ho had everything ready and was about to speak into the microphone when he heard a Someone was moving about, in one of thd back rooms.

i>ert stood quite still. Who could it be ? There were no tramps in the neighbourhood. Bert's, heart began to beat wildly as ho recollected that the burglar was still at large. Could it be ? Was it possible? Then a sudden gust of wind blew through one of tho broken windows and the door closed with a slam. Instantly thero came a muttering exclamation from tho back of the cottage and a man strode up tin passage. His appearance would have frightened a much older boy than Bert, llis hair was disordered and smothered in dust. His face, which looked as if it hadn't come in contact with soap and water for some time, looked dirtier still because of the dark stubble which covered cheeks afid chin. But it was his eyes which frightened Bert. They held the look of a man who was fleeing from justice, and who could' let nothing hinder his (light. „ ' , " What are you doing hero?' asked tbe stranger in a deep menacing voice. Bert steadied himself. f> ' " I was going to take soma photos, he replied. " This looks such a picturesque old placo I thought I. might get some good snaps." • • ti , " You've no business in here, was trie ''' ""The Ruins ' are out of bounds I know, still, [ have as much right here as you have," retorted Bert, putting on a bold face. " Tho placo belongs to nobody. " It belongs to me. for the present, see, rapped out of the stranger. " And 1 resent. any interference." Bert turned as if to go. " No YOU don't," was the sudden exclamation, and before Bert,'could realise what AVits happening the fellow had seized him and thrown hi nr. Hi? n™ thoughts wore of his radio transmitter. It ' lie could struggle to it he would be able to call for help and direct his chums, where to look for him, unless they had grown tired of waiting to hear his voice and thinking the invention was a failure, naa discarded the 'phones. Bert struggled until ho was propped in a sitting post on against, the wall and saw to his dismay that his beloved invention lay smashed ana broken on the floor. , " Thev'll never know where to looK i°' me," ho moaned, as ho struggled to free himself from his bonds. " ; y' mo como here. 111 starve before In, U 'Tho thought terrified liirn and he shouted at the top of his voice, mentally P ra > U) £ that, someone would hear him. seemed that his prayer was answered tor a well known voice called out, Kign oh, old chap. We'ro coming, and in le than ,1 minute Dick and trank, atconi panied by the Head, burst, into the cottage." Iron?". " How did you know where t s l ! nd " d asked Bert- as they released his bonds. Dick pointed to the broken j ' » Heanl it all." he. said. Every bit. of n. Knew that something was wrong -.o told Dr. Lavender. Then we heard . mention * the Ruins, " I hat vasal wanted to know." _ " And the man asked Bert.. ' . " Silver Jim," replied Frank. - have got him. And the stolen v S , ] , t in tho cellar under louil g fifty pounds reward for this. . Bert expected that he would get into ho water for breaking bounds .but vr. Lavender, like a good old sport, iwer -aiu a. word about it. . -