Most of these patrol craft were equipped with wireless, and the Special Agent had to issue his orders at long distance. He lacked a wireless outfit in his own office, however, and had to use a government wireless in another part of the city. He telephoned his messages to the operator there. This would have been satisfactory enough if the operator had not been so busy with other work that sometimes the Special Agent’s messages were held up for hours before the operator could send them. After an especially provoking delay one day, Mr. King called to his office boy. “Willie,” he said, “are you competent to communicate with my boats by wireless?” “Yes, sir,” replied Willie. “I can talk to them if you wish.” “Well, we don’t have any wireless in this office, and I have no appropriation to buy any. But I am tired of all this delay in sending orders. What would an outfit cost? If it doesn’t set me back too much, I’ll be hanged if I don’t buy an outfit myself.” “If you could get me a good battery,” said Willie, eagerly, “you could use my set. I’ve got everything we need except a strong battery.” “What would that cost?” “Maybe it wouldn’t cost anything. We might be able to use the battery from an old motor-truck. You’ve got a lot of them in the department.” “That’s a fact. And we likely have some extra batteries. We could use one of them, couldn’t we?” “Sure,” said Willie. “It won’t cost a cent, if you can get a battery. I’ll rig up the outfit and run it for you.” “Then I’ll do it. But there’s one thing we want understood. If we put in this outfit, you mustn’t neglect your work to be fooling with your wireless. You can use it before and after office hours, and during your hour off at noon, as much as you like. But during business hours you’re not to touch it unless you are handling messages for me.” “That’s agreed to,” replied Willie. “Then I’ll see what we can do about the battery. And by the way, please get me a fresh supply of stationery from that cupboard in the corner. Just fill this compartment in my drawer.” And the Chief tossed his bunch of keys to Willie. While Willie was trying to find the key that fitted the cupboard, Mr. King turned to his telephone and called up the motor equipment bureau. Then he stepped out of the room. Willie got the cupboard open, filled his superior’s desk drawer with stationery, and locked the cupboard. He laid the keys on Mr. King’s desk. Then he picked them up and put them in his pocket. “Somebody might take them,” said Willie to himself, “or they might be lost.” Before Mr. King returned to his desk, a powerful, highly charged battery was delivered at the office door. Willie receipted for it. Just then Mr. King returned. “Get your outfit and rig it up as quick as you can,” he said.