“Is that so?” said Inspector Burton, regarding Jack with increased respect. “Well, what did you mean awhile ago when you intimated it wasn’t necessary to trail Handby in order to locate the smuggling ring’s radio plant.”
“Can you obtain the use of the government radio stations?” countered Jack.
“Well, then, to begin with, we can obtain the approximate location of the smugglers’ radio. Of course, they will speak in code, and probably they will use a high wave length in order to avoid the confusion of any amateur sending stations cutting in. Let the government stations here and at Los Angeles tune until they pick up code. If it is weak here and strong at Los Angeles, then the station sending code is nearer the latter city.”
“Well, that won’t help us much,” said Inspector Burton, disappointedly. “We know, of course, that it is bound to be in the southern part of the state, probably even below Los Angeles, in order that the coolie boats can make their run from Mexico in one night.”
“I see,” said Jack, composedly. “But that wasn’t the only thing I had in mind.”
“Let an expert at solving codes listen in when once the code conversations are picked up. He can take down what he hears. The probability is he can work out a solution. To a genuine expert, as I understand it, there is no code that cannot be solved.”
“But,” objected Mr. Temple, “the code picked up and deciphered might be from some station like yours, Jack.”
“In which case you mean it would be about legitimate business?” said Jack. “But the government will have licensed stations listed, and their codes on file. No, I believe it would be a good move to put a code expert at work at the Los Angeles station.”
“So do I,” said Inspector Burton, warmly. “I want to thank you. And I want to thank you, too,” he added, turning to Frank. “Your information will undoubtedly prove to be of the very greatest value.”
“I shall have to go now,” he said. “I suppose you all will be viewing the city and taking in the sights. I wish I could stay to show it to you. But that cannot be. What you have told me makes it necessary for me to leave at once for the south. I shall arrange my affairs here and take the night train to Los Angeles. I may not see you again. But I know you will be interested in the outcome and”—turning to Mr. Temple—“if you give me your address I promise to let you know.”