human
Then we'll have a race for certain, said Billy, his eyes dilating with excitement;
gpt
That Britisher can travel, though,
human
Oh, we won't have an easy time of it, but I'll bet my shirt we'll win the blue ribbon of the ocean.
gpt
I hope so, rejoined Jack with a smile at the other's enthusiasm.
human
But what do you think of my quarters, Billy?
gpt
Why, they're fit for a king or a millionaire, laughed Raynor.
human
I'll bet you never thought, when you were in that little rabbit hutch of a wireless room on the old _Ajax_, that some day you'd be traveling in such style?
gpt
Hullo! What's that thing? he asked suddenly, pointing to a device that looked unfamiliar. It was a box-shaped arrangement, metal, with complicated wires strung to it and had a
human
Oh, that's an invention of my own that I'm trying out, said Jack.
gpt
I don't just know what success I'll have with it. I haven't really put it to the test yet.
human
What do you call it?
gpt
The Universal Detector,
human
Just what is that?
gpt
Well, at present you know a ship can only receive wireless messages from a ship that is 'in tune' with her own radio apparatus. The Universal Detector should make it possible to catch every wireless sound. I am very anxious, if I perfect it, to get it adopted in the navy. It would be of great value in time of war, for by its use every message sent by an enemy, even if they were purposely put 'out of tune,' could be caught.
human
By the way, speaking of the navy, did you hear from Captain Simms?
gpt
Yes; he is still up at Musky Bay. Some difficulties in the code have arisen, and he will not be through with his work for two weeks or more yet, he says.
human
No more attempts to steal his work, or to spy on him?
gpt
He doesn't mention any. I guess we're through with the Judson crowd.
human
Looks that way. What a gang of thorough-paced rascals they were.
gpt
I guess Judson's business must be in a bad way to make him take such desperate chances to recoup by landing that contract.
human
I suppose that's it.
gpt
By Jove, almost eight bells! I've got to go on watch. This is my first job as second engineer, and I mean to keep things on the jump. Well, so long, old fellow.
human
See you this evening,