Argosy All-Story Weekly, December 2, 1922 — page 54: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

524 up and down. The rod_is fixed to the cen- ter of the diaphragm and at the other end to a small disk of carbon. This carbon disk, or button, rests in a cup of the same material. The cup is loosely filled with grains of carbon, which have a high electri- cal resistance. In other words, they choke back electricity. “The current must pass through the car- bon cup, the carbon grains and to the car- bon button before it can reach the receiver at the distant point. The more scattered the grains are the greater their resistance, and the less electricity can pass. The less electricity, the less noise at the other end of the wire. So when you speak into the trans- mitter the diaphragm moves, pressing the grains tighter together, or letting them rest loosely. Each tiny movement caused by the vibration of your voice changes the force of the current and reproduces sound in the receiver at the other telephone.” “ Sheer magic!” exclaimed the girl. ‘“ I’m sorry to take up so much of your time, and I’m going to leave you to your own devices. If you want me, Riggs will find me for you. Thank you for my lesson in tele- phony.” “ Don’t mention it!”’ murmured Fenwick, his frankly admiring gaze following her as she left the room. He again directed his attention to the switchboard, removing the panel beneath it to examine the wiring. An examination of the extension stations and jacks for portable instruments on the lower floor of the house followed. Returning to the switchboard he connected the library extension with central and then ascended the rear staircase to the second floor, where he made a similar in- spection of the equipment. The maids were busy putting the rooms in order, and re- garded him curiously as he made his some- what perfunctory examination. When he reached Lorraine Carewe’s boudoir he hesi- tated until a somewhat overvivacious French girl assured him he might enter. He walked directly to the escritoire on which the telephone stood and removed the little bisque doll, whose rose-colored crino- line skirt concealed the instrument. The telephone was of special finish, old-rose in color, harmonizing with the general tone ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. of the room. Scarcely giving it a glance he carefully replaced the bisque creation and walked from the room, the maid laugh- ing audibly as he left. He flushed to his ears, realizing how evident his confusion had been, and how unimpressive his exam- ination. Milady’s boudoir had unnerved him, and he had only a vague impression of its appointments, daintiness and charm. ‘‘ Idiot!” he growled in self-reproach, and then hesitated on the threshold of the library. Miss Carewe was engaged in letter writing. ‘“ May I come in?” he inquired. “Surely.” She laid aside her pen. “Why, what has happened, Mr. Bell?” “ Nothing,” he assured her, his blushes deepening, and once more he mentally cursed his diffidence. Her eyes sparkled mischieyously. “Sure?” she inquired. The ringing of the telephone bell afforded him a welcome respite, but caused him to recall that he had connected the instrument with central, had decided to visit the library, and had intuitively felt that Lorraine would be there when he arrived. Lorraine an- swered the telephone. “It’s Mr. Boyden calling you,” she an- nounced, offering him the instrument. He conversed with Boyden for five minutes, and when he replaced the receiver on the hook, had entirely recovered his composure. Miss Carewe was sealing some envelopes when he turned to her. ‘‘ Boyden’s had a lead,” he informed her, “but it looks as if we’re up against a very ingenious gang. One of the voices asked for Mr. Willmer at the office a while ago, and Boyden took the call. He engaged the fellow in conversation and at the same time scribbled directions on a pad for one of the P. B. X. operators to follow. “First he told her to find out who was calling, and she learned that the call was from a coin box station at the Grand Cen- tral. Then he told her to learn the numbers of the other public telephones in booths ad- jacent to the one from which the call was made, and to have the operator ring one of them. He hoped to attract some one’s at- tention and have them nab the fellow who. was talking. Gomichbooksrcom