"It's no good, Uncle," Peter lied loudly. "The telephone was an absolute wash-out. I even switched off to try and pick up what you were saying." If there were any Rioguayans amongst those present who understood English, Peter's mendacious assertion would serve to offer a solution to the failure of the flying-boat's ignition system. In fact, Brian Strong hastened to translate the gist of his nephew's explanation. At the same time, Uncle Brian knew that his secret device had been proved and had passed the test. Peter's declaration that he "switched off" was sufficient for that. Mutual and authentic exchanges of their observations would come at the next convenient opportunity. For the present, all was well. CHAPTER X Plans for Escape "Well?" inquired Uncle Brian laconically, when, the trial of the rays duly carried out, he and Peter were free to discuss the situation in all its bearings. The two men were seated in the billiard room of El Toro. It was the time for siesta, but on this occasion neither Uncle Brian nor Peter sought repose. In the darkened room, for the double windows and the jalousied shutters were closed, they felt more like conspirators than loyal citizens of that great Empire upon which the sun never sets. Four large electric fans were purring gently, not only to circulate the air, but to render conversation inaudible to anyone without. This, in Brian Strong's opinion, was a necessary precaution. Although work was entirely suspended during siesta, it was quite possible that there were persons about keenly anxious to overhear any conversation between the two Englishmen. "It worked," replied Peter. "So I gathered," rejoined his relative. "But----" "But what?" "You weren't dead on time, Uncle," said Peter. "Then, when you released the rays the action was only momentary at first. The second attempt was prolonged, but not to anything like a minute." "I'll explain," said Brian Strong. "I kept the day telescopic sights on you the whole time and released the electric charge sharp on time. As far as I could observe, there were no results. I was beginning to feel a bit disappointed, I'll admit, until after some considerable time I noticed that you were gliding down. I had previously given the vernier screw regulating the telescopic sights a few turns. Then I realized what had happened. Either the line of sight was not exactly parallel with the centre of the beam of electricity, or else there was some discrepancy due possibly to parallax. Once your flying-boat was correctly registered, so to speak, you were under the influence of the rays. So I decided to give a full minute for the experiment." "But you didn't," objected Peter. "The old 'bus picked up again in forty-five seconds. You can be pretty sure I had my eye on the clock all right!"