The Secret Wireless | Page 9

Lewis E. Theiss
The grinding of car-wheels, the rattle of
carts, the clatter of hoofs on the asphalt, the shuffling of feet on the
sidewalk, and a thousand other noises combined to make an
indescribable and confusing roar. The noise and bustle were
bewildering.
"I guess mother was right," thought Henry. "It would be mighty easy to
get lost here. The wireless patrol will have to look sharp or the police
will be called upon to find it."
And indeed there were so many distracting things that the four spy
hunters found it difficult not to get lost. At every step something new
and unfamiliar claimed their attention and caused them to pause and
look about.
Captain Hardy let his charges go at their own gait. He paused when
they wanted to look at something, took sharp care of them at crossings,
and told them how to cross the streets so as to avoid accidents. And
ever he kept his eye on them to see that none of the four became
separated from the group. It pleased him to note how quickly they
learned to avoid the traffic and dodge difficulties. Their training in
observation had not been in vain.
To Herald Square the captain led his party. There, in a little eddy of
sidewalk traffic, he drew them together.
"The streets that run lengthwise of the island," he said, "are called
avenues, and the one before you is Sixth Avenue. The station we just
left faces on Seventh Avenue. The cross streets are numbered, and the
one we are on is Thirty-fourth Street. Broadway comes up the island on
a long diagonal. Right here where Broadway, Thirty-fourth Street, and
Sixth Avenue intersect, is one of the busiest corners in the city.
Overhead are two elevated railway tracks. On the ground are six
street-car tracks, crossing one another. Under the surface are two
subway tracks. So you have three layers of people passing and
repassing above or below one another. I want you to remember what I
have said as to the arrangement of the thoroughfares--avenues run north

and south, streets east and west. If you get that thought in your mind,
you won't go very far out of your way.
"And there is one thing more to remember. In some cities, such as
Philadelphia, the street numbers run 100 to each block. Here the houses
are numbered consecutively, and you can't tell by a number where a
house is. But if you should need to know, go to the nearest drug store.
Every New York drug store has a city directory. And in the back of the
directory you will find a table that will show you approximately where
to find the street number you want. Don't forget. If you are to do
effective work, you must become so familiar with New York that you
can find your way around as readily as you can in Central City.
Sometimes it may be necessary for you to go from place to place in the
shortest possible time and you must know not only how to get there,
but also how to take advantage of short cuts. We'll get some maps after
a time and study them."
His young companions plied their leader with a thousand questions.
They wanted to know the names of all the big buildings in sight. They
had all heard of the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel and they gazed up
Thirty-fourth Street at this well-known hostelry with much curiosity.
They had heard of the Times Building and were eager to see it.
"We can't spend much time sightseeing just now," said Captain Hardy.
"We must get into touch with the police and the secret service people
and get our instructions. Then we will take a day or two, if possible,
and see something of the town. It is most important for you to become
well acquainted with it at once. But I guess we can take time to slip up
to Times Square. It's only eight blocks up Broadway. Now I want you
boys to see everything you can as we go along, and to try to remember
all that you see. Wherever you go you must remember that you are in
New York to detect German spies and presumably to run down German
wireless outfits. We don't know where they are. We may be looking at
one this very instant. So keep your eyes open. If you see anything that
resembles a wireless outfit, or that might be used for sending messages,
take careful note of it. And keep your ears open for suspicious
conversations. Because you are boys, people will be less careful in their

talk when you are present than they would be with older people about.
The more youthful and unsophisticated you can make yourselves
appear, the better it will
Continue reading on your phone by scaning this QR Code

 / 71
Tip: The current page has been bookmarked automatically. If you wish to continue reading later, just open the Dertz Homepage, and click on the 'continue reading' link at the bottom of the page.