There was a little commotion in the crowd on the pier, as the lad to whom the wireless man had called tried to force his way through the crowd toward the gangway. But he was so small, being scarcely larger than a boy, in fact, that he could hardly press forward through the crowd. The heavy suit case he carried made it all the more difficult for him. While the lad was still struggling toward the gangplank, the wireless man slipped down ladder and stairs with the grace and agility of a cat, and within a few seconds stood on the lower deck beside the sailors, who were waiting to make fast the gangplank. “Just let that little fellow there come aboard,” said the wireless man, pointing to his friend who was still struggling to get through the crowd. “Aye, aye, Mr. Mercer,” called back a husky hand on the dock, who stood ready to help shove the gangplank into place. Then, turning around, the huge fellow shouldered his way through the crowd, whisked the suit case out of the little lad’s hand, and opened a way for him through the press. In another moment the gangplank was run out and made fast; and before the little lad knew what was happening, he and his suit case were bundled up the gangplank and aboard ship. A second later the eager passengers were pouring down the gangway in a torrent. Eagerly the visiting lad caught the outstretched hand of the wireless man, and they stepped to one side, out of the way. “You’re a sight for sore eyes, Willie Brown,” said the wireless man, shaking his friend’s hand again and again. “Gee! But I sure am glad to see you.” “You can’t be any more pleased to see me than I am to see you, Roy.” Then the little visitor drew back a pace and admired his friend. “Gee whiz!” he said. “Just look at your fine uniform. I guess it’s true that clothes make the man. Why, I heard that dock hand even call you Mister. Think of that! You don’t catch me calling you Mister, even if you are the wireless operator. You’re just plain Roy Mercer of the Camp Brady Wireless Patrol to me.” The wireless operator laughed gleefully. “You bet you won’t call me Mr. Mercer. I’d chuck you overboard if you did. But come on. Let’s get out of this. We’ll go to the wireless cabin where we can talk without interruption.” He picked up his visitor’s suit case. Then he turned toward his friend with an expression of astonishment on his face. “Whatever have you got in that suit case, Willie Brown?” he asked. “It’s as heavy as a ton of bricks.” “I’ve got my wireless set in it, Roy, and a bunch of fresh batteries.” “Your wireless set! Well, of all the fool ideas! To bring your dinky home-made wireless outfit with you, when the _Lycoming_ has one of the most up-to-date equipment money can buy! But I don’t care if you’ve got a crocodile in your suit case. It’s _you_ I’m interested in, Willie. Gee whiz! It does seem good to see you. Tell me about the rest of the bunch. How are they?” “Fine as silk,” said Willie.