All rights reserved. No part of this book shall be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the publisher. No patent liability is assumed with respect to the use of the information contained herein. Although every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the publisher and author assume no responsibility for errors or omissions. Nor is any liability assumed for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein.
International Standard Book Number: 0-7897-3108-8
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 2003113759
Printed in the United States of America
First Printing: March 2004
07 06 05 04 4321
Trademarks
All terms mentioned in this book that are known to be trademarks or service marks have been appropriately capitalized. Que Publishing cannot attest to the accuracy of this information. Use of a term in this book should not be regarded as affecting the validity of any trademark or service mark.
Warning and Disclaimer
Every effort has been made to make this book as complete and as accurate as possible, but no warranty or fitness is implied. The information provided is on an “as is” basis. The author and the publisher shall have neither liability nor responsibility to any person or entity with respect to any loss or damages arising from the information contained in this book or from the use of the CD or programs accompanying it.
Bulk Sales
Que Publishing offers excellent discounts on this book when ordered in quantity for bulk purchases or special sales. For more information, please contact
U.S. Corporate and Government Sales
1-800-382-3419
corpsales@pearsontechgroup.com
For sales outside of the U.S., please contact
International Sales 1-317-428-3341
international@pearsontechgroup.com
Publisher
Paul Boger
Executive Editor
Jeff Riley
Acquisitions Editor
Jeff Riley
Development Editor
Steve Rowe
Managing Editor
Charlotte Clapp
Project Editor
Tricia Liebig
Production Editor
Jessica McCarty
Proofreader
Tracy Donhardt
Technical Editor
David Eytchison
Publishing Coordinator
Pamalee Nelson
Multimedia Developer
Dan Scherf
Interior Designer
Anne Jones
Cover Designer
Anne Jones
Page Layout
Brad Chinn
Que Certification•800 East 96th Street•Indianapolis, Indiana46240
A Note from Series Editor Ed Tittel
You know better than to trust your certification preparation to just anybody. That’s why you, and more than two million others, have purchased an Exam Cram book. As Series Editor for the new and improved Exam Cram 2 series, I have worked with the staff at Que Certification to ensure you won’t be disappointed. That’s why we’ve taken the world’s best-selling certification product—a finalist for “Best Study Guide” in a CertCities reader poll in 2002—and made it even better.
As a two-time finalist for the “Favorite Study Guide Author” award as determined by CertCities readers, I know the value of good books. You’ll be impressed with Que Certification’s stringent review process, which ensures the books are highquality, relevant, and technically accurate.
We’ve also added a MeasureUp test engine, which is trusted by certification students throughout the world.
As a 20-year-plus veteran of the computing industry and the original creator and editor of the Exam Cram series, I’ve brought my IT experience to bear on these books. During my tenure at Novell from 1989 to 1994, I worked with and around its excellent education and certification department. This experience helped push my writing and teaching activities heavily in the certification direction. Since then, I’ve worked on more than 70 certification-related books, and I write about certification topics for numerous Web sites and for Certification magazine.
In 1996, while studying for various MCP exams, I became frustrated with the huge, unwieldy study guides that were the only preparation tools available. As an experienced IT professional and former instructor, I wanted “nothing but the facts” necessary to prepare for the exams. From this impetus, Exam Cram emerged in 1997. It quickly became the best-selling computer book series since “…For Dummies,” and the best-selling certification book series ever. By maintaining an intense focus on subject matter, tracking errata and updates quickly, and following the certification market closely, Exam Cram was able to establish the dominant position in cert prep books.
You will not be disappointed in your decision to purchase this book. If you are, please contact me at etittel@jump.net. All suggestions, ideas, input, or constructive criticism are welcome!
Expand Your Certification Arsenal!
A+, Second Edition Exam Cram 2
James Jones and Craig Landes
ISBN 0-7897-3043-X
$29.99 US/$45.99 CAN/£21.99 Net UK
• Key terms and concepts highlighted at the start of each chapter
• Notes, Tips, and Exam Alerts advise what to watch out for
• End-of-chapter sample Exam Questions with detailed discussions of all answers
• Complete text-based practice test with answer key at the end of each book
• The tear-out Cram Sheet condenses the most important items and information into a two-page reminder
• A CD that includes PrepLogic Practice Tests for complete evaluation of your knowledge
• Our authors are recognized experts in the field. In most cases, they are current or former instructors, trainers, or consultants— they know exactly what you need to know!
About the Author
Charles J. Brooks is currently the president of Marcraft International Corporation, located in Kennewick, Washington, and is in charge of research and development. He is the author of several books, including Speech Synthesis , Pneumatic Instrumentation , The Complete Introductory Computer Course, Radio-Controlled Car Project Manual, and IBM PC Peripheral Troubleshooting and Repair. A former electronics instructor and technical writer with the National Education Corporation, Charles has taught and written on post-secondary EET curriculum, including introductory electronics, transistor theory, linear integrated circuits, basic digital theory, industrial electronics, microprocessors, and computer peripherals.
About Marcraft International Corporation
Marcraft International Corporation has been producing IT training products for 20 years, supplying the hardware, software, and courseware materials for numerous technical training curricula. Marcraft sells its products worldwide from its headquarters in Kennewick, Washington. Marcraft’s mission is to develop exceptional products for effectively teaching and training people the IT skills in demand both today and in the future.
Dedication
I dedicate this book to my wife, Robbie, and my two grandsons, Michael and Joshua. It amazes me that by the time they can read this, the technology will have changed so much that they will need a new book.
Acknowledgments
I would like to acknowledge the people who have made this book a reality. First, thanks to Jeff Riley at Que Certification Publishing for having the vision to create these tools for certification. I also must thank You Wen Ho for her diligent work in maintaining our test banks. There’s nothing more fun than pouring over hundreds and hundreds of test questions and answers and keeping them correct. Also, thanks to Steve Rowe, Jessica McCarty, and Tricia Liebig for their excellent review and project-management work.
Contents at a Glance
Part IHardware
Chapter 1Hardware Domain 1.0: Installation, Configuration, and Upgrading3
Chapter 2Hardware Domain 2.0: Diagnosing and Troubleshooting81
Chapter 3Hardware Domain 3.0: PC Preventive Maintenance, Safety, and Environmental Issues115
Chapter 1Operating System Domain 1.0: Operating System Fundamentals233
Chapter 2Operating System Domain 2.0: Installation, Configuration, and Upgrading287
Chapter 3Operating System Domain 3.0: Diagnosing and Troubleshooting325
Chapter 4Operating System Domain 4.0: Networks345
Appendix ACD Contents and Installation Instructions369
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Hardware Domain 1.0: Installation, Configuration, and Upgrading ....3
Objective 1.1: Identify the names, purpose, and characteristics of system modules. 3
Objective 1.2: Identify basic procedures for adding and removing field-replaceable modules for desktop systems. 10
Objective 1.3: Identify basic procedures for adding and removing field-replaceable modules for portable systems. 16
Objective 1.4: Identify typical IRQs, DMAs, and I/O addresses and procedures for altering these settings when installing and configuring devices. 23
Objective 1.5: Identify the names, purposes, and performance characteristics, or common peripheral ports, associated cabling, and their connectors. 29
Objective 1.6: Identify proper procedures for installing and configuring common IDE devices. 36
Objective 1.7: Identify proper procedures for installing and configuring common SCSI devices. 38
Objective 1.8: Identify proper procedures for installing and configuring common peripheral devices. 44
Objective 1.9: Identify procedures to optimize PC operations in specific situations. 47
Objective 1.10: Determine the issues that must be considered when upgrading a PC. 49
Quick Check Answer Key54
Objective 1.1 54
Objective 1.2 54
Objective 1.3 54
Objective 1.4 55
Objective 1.5 55
Objective 1.6 56
Objective 1.7 56
Objective 1.8 56
Objective 1.9 56
Objective 1.10 57
Answers and Explanations 58
Objective 1.1 58
Objective 1.2 61
Objective 1.3 64
Objective 1.4 67
Objective 1.5 70
Objective 1.6 72
Objective 1.7 73
Objective 1.8 76
Objective 1.9 77
Objective 1.10 78
Chapter 2
Hardware Domain 2.0: Diagnosing and Troubleshooting
Objective 2.1: Recognize common problems associated with each module and their symptoms, and identify steps to isolate and troubleshoot the problems. 81
Objective 2.2: Identify basic trouble-shooting procedures and tools, and how to elicit problem symptoms from customers. 96
Quick Check Answer Key102
Objective 2.1 102
Objective 2.2 103
Answers and Explanations 104
Objective 2.1 104
Objective 2.2 110
Chapter 3
Hardware Domain 3.0: PC Preventive Maintenance,
Safety,
and Environmental Issues
Objective 3.1: Identify the various types of preventive maintenance measures, products, and procedures and when and how to use them. 115
Objective 3.2: Identify various safety measures and procedures and when and how to use them. 121
Objective 3.3: Identify environmental protection measures and procedures and when and how to use them. 125
Objective 4.1: Distinguish between the popular CPU chips in terms of their basic characteristics. 137
Objective 4.2: Identify the types of RAM (random access memory), form factors, and operational characteristics. 142
Objective 4.3: Identify the most popular types of motherboards, their components, and their architecture (bus structures). 147
Objective 4.4: Identify the purpose of CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor) memory, what it contains, and how and when to change its parameters. 167
Objective 6.1: Identify the common types of network cables, their characteristics, and connectors. 209
Objective 6.2: Identify basic networking concepts including how a network works. 213
Objective 6.3: Identify common technologies available for establishing Internet connectivity and their characteristics. 221
Quick Check Answer Key224
Objective 6.1 224
Objective 6.2 224
Objective 6.3 224
Answers and Explanations 225
Objective 6.1 225
Objective 6.2 227
Objective 6.3 229
Part IIOperating Systems
Chapter 1
Operating System Domain 1.0: Operating System Fundamentals ...233
Objective 1.1: Identify the major desktop components and interfaces and their functions. 233
Objective 1.2: Identify the names, locations, purposes, and contents of major system files. 243
Objective 1.3: Demonstrate the ability to use command-line functions and utilities to manage the operating system. 248
Objective 1.4: Identify basic concepts and procedures for creating, viewing, and managing disks, directories, and files. 251
Objective 1.5: Identify the major operating system utilities, their purpose, location, and available switches. 258
Quick Check Answer Key266
Objective 1.1 266
Objective 1.2 266
Objective 1.3 267
Objective 1.4 267
Objective 1.5 267
Answers and Explanations 269
Objective 1.1 269
Objective 1.2 274
Objective 1.3 277
Objective 1.4 278
Objective 1.5 282
Chapter 2
Operating System Domain 2.0: Installation, Configuration, and Upgrading ................................................................287
Objective 2.1: Identify the procedures for installing Windows 9x/Me, Windows NT 4.0 Workstation, Windows 2000 Professional, and Windows XP. 287
Objective 2.2: Identify steps to perform an operating system upgrade from Windows 9x/Me, Windows NT 4.0 Workstation, Windows 2000 Professional, and Windows XP. 292
Objective 2.3: Identify the basic system boot sequences and boot methods installed for Windows 9x/Me, Windows NT 4.0 Workstation, Windows 2000 Professional, and Windows XP. 295
Objective 2.4: Identify procedures for installing and adding a device, including loading, adding, and configuring device drivers, and required software. 302
Objective 2.5: Identify procedures necessary to optimize the operating system and major operating system subsystems. 308
Quick Check Answer Key311
Objective 2.1 311
Objective 2.2 311
Objective 2.3 311
Objective 2.4 312
Objective 2.5 312
Answers and Explanations 313
Objective 2.1 313
Objective 2.2 315
Objective 2.3 316
Objective 2.4 320
Objective 2.5 323
Chapter 3
Operating System Domain 3.0:
Diagnosing and Troubleshooting
....325
Objective 3.1: Recognize and interpret the meaning of common error codes and startup messages from the boot sequence. 325
Objective 3.2: Recognize when to use common diagnostic utilities and tools. 327
Objective 3.3: Recognize common operational and usability problems and determine how to resolve them. 329
Quick Check Answer Key336
Objective 3.1 336
Objective 3.2 336
Objective 3.3 336
Answers and Explanations 337
Objective 3.1 337
Objective 3.2 338
Objective 3.3 339
Chapter 4
Operating System Domain 4.0: Networks ................................345
Objective 4.1: Identify the networking capabilities of Windows. 345
Objective 4.2: Identify the basic Internet protocols and terminologies.
Identify procedures for establishing Internet connectivity. 353
Quick Check Answer Key359
Objective 4.1 359
Objective 4.2 359
Answers and Explanations 360
Objective 4.1 360
Objective 4.2 364
CD Contents and Installation Instructions ................................369
Multiple Test Modes 369
Question Types 370
Random Questions and Order of Answers 370
Detailed Explanations of Correct and Incorrect Answers 370
Attention to Exam Objectives 370
Installing the CD 370
Technical Support 373
We Want to Hear from You!
As the reader of this book, you are our most important critic and commentator. We value your opinion and want to know what we’re doing right, what we could do better, what areas you’d like to see us publish in, and any other words of wisdom you’re willing to pass our way.
As an executive editor for Que Publishing, I welcome your comments. You can email or write me directly to let me know what you did or didn’t like about this book—as well as what we can do to make our books better.
Please note that I cannot help you with technical problems related to the topic of this book. We do have a User Services group, however, where I will forward specific technical questions related to the book.
When you write, please be sure to include this book’s title and author as well as your name, email address, and phone number. I will carefully review your comments and share them with the author and editors who worked on the book.
Email: feedback@quepublishing.com
Mail:Jeff Riley Executive Editor
Que Publishing 800 East 96th Street Indianapolis, IN 46240 USA
For information about the Exam Cram 2 series, visit www.examcram2.com. Type the ISBN (excluding hyphens) or the title of a book in the Search field to find the page you’re looking for.
Introduction
What Is This Book About?
Welcome to the A+ Practice Questions Exam Cram 2! The sole aim of this book is to provide you with practice questions complete with answers and explanations that will help you learn, drill, and review for the A+ certification exams.
Who Is This Book For?
If you have studied the A+ exam’s content and feel you are ready to put your knowledge to the test, but not sure you want to take the real exams yet, this book is for you! Maybe you have answered other practice questions or unsuccessfully taken the real exams, reviewed, and want to do more practice questions before going to take the real exams—this book is for you, too!
What Will You Find in This Book?
As mentioned before, this book is all about practice questions! This book is separated according to the topics you will find in the A+ exams. Each chapter represents an exam topic and in the chapter you will find three elements:
➤ Practice Questions—These are the numerous questions that will help you learn, drill, and review.
➤ Quick Check Answer Key—When you have finished answering the questions, you can quickly grade your exam from this section. Only correct answers are given here. No explanations are offered yet!
➤ Answers and Explanations—This section offers you the correct answers as well as further explanation about the content posed in that question.
Use this information to learn why an answer is correct and to reinforce the content in your mind for exam day.
You will also find a CramSheet at the beginning of this book specifically written for this exam. This is a very popular element that is also found in the corresponding A+ Certification Exam Cram 2, Second Edition (ISBN: 0-78973043-X). This item condenses all the necessary facts found in this exam into one, easy-to-handle tearout card. The CramSheet is something you can carry with you to the exam location and use as a last-second study aid. Be aware that you can’t take it into the exam room, though!
Hints for Using This Book
Because this book is a paper practice product, you might want to complete your exams on a separate piece of paper so you can reuse the questions over and over without having previous answers in your way. Also, a general rule of thumb across all practice-question products is to make sure you are scoring well into the high 80%–90% range in all topics before attempting the real exam. The higher percentages you score on practice-question products, the better your chances for passing the real exam. Of course, we can’t guarantee a passing score on the real exam, but we can offer you plenty of opportunities to practice and assess your knowledge levels before entering the real exam.
Need Further Study?
Are you having a hard time correctly answering these questions? If so, you probably need further review. Be sure to see the sister product to this book, the A+ Exam Cram 2, Second Edition by Que Publishing (ISBN: 0-7897-3043X). If you need even further study, check out Que’s A+ Training Guide, Fifth Edition (ISBN: 0-7897-3044-0).
PART I Hardware
1 Hardware Domain 1.0: Installation, Configuration, and Upgrading 2 Hardware Domain 2.0: Diagnosing and Troubleshooting 3 Hardware Domain 3.0: PC Preventive Maintenance, Safety, and Environmental Issues
Hardware Domain 1.0: Installation, Configuration, and Upgrading
Objective 1.1: Identify the names, purpose, and characteristics of system modules.
1.What type of I/O device uses a 3-row, 15-pin female connector?
❑ a.Monitor
❑ b.Joystick
❑ c.Printer
❑ d.Modem
2.The normal size for a hard drive sector in a PC-compatible system is ______.
❑ a.512 bytes
❑ b.640 bytes
❑ c.512KB
❑ d.640KB
3.The standard VGA resolution in graphics mode with 16 onscreen colors is ______ pixels.
❑ a.1,280×1,024
❑ b.640×480
❑ c.800×600
❑ d.1,024×768
4.When a computer boots up, the first set of instructions it receives is stored in _____.
❑ a.the CMOS memory
❑ b.the ROM BIOS chip
❑ c.RAM
❑ d.the CPU
5.Which of the following is not located in the BIOS?
❑ a.Hardware configuration information
❑ b.RAM-checking routine
❑ c.Startup functions
❑ d.Master Boot Record
6.An ATX-type system board supports _______.
❑ a.a soft power switch
❑ b.a total of 16 expansion slots
❑ c.universal expansion slots
❑ d.a RAM memory capacity of 256MB
7.In Microsoft systems, a typical hard drive sector is ______ bytes long.
❑ a.256
❑ b.512
❑ c.1,024
❑ d.2,048
8.A magnetic disk has tracks on its surface, and the tracks are divided into ______.
❑ a.sectors
❑ b.clusters
❑ c.FRUs
❑ d.magnetic spots
9.PC-compatible systems use a ______ connector for the VGA video function.
❑ a.9-pin, female
❑ b.15-pin, male
❑ c.15-pin, female
❑ d.25-pin, male
10.The purpose of the rechargeable battery on some system boards is to _______ in the event of a power fluctuation.
❑ a.back up the contents of the RAM memory
❑ b.keep the microprocessor’s registries alive
❑ c.maintain the contents of CMOS RAM
❑ d.maintain the system’s time-of-day chip
Answer: 58
Answer: 54
Answer: 58
Answer: 54
Answer: 58
Answer: 58
Answer: 54
Answer: 58
Answer: 54
Answer: 58
11.What system structure contains the PC’s time, date, and configuration information?
❑ a.The ROM BIOS
❑ b.The CMOS RAM
❑ c.The RAMDAC
❑ d.The Upper Memory Block (UMB)
12.Cache memory is used to ________.
❑ a.increase the speed of data access
❑ b.increase the size of memory available to programs
❑ c.store data in nonvolatile memory
❑ d.augment the memory used for the operating system kernel
13.If a new option is installed in the system and it refuses to operate, what type of problem should be assumed?
❑ a.Software conflict
❑ b.Hardware failure
❑ c.BIOS failure
❑ d.Setup/configuration conflict
14.For computer bootup purposes, the first set of instructions is stored in the ______.
❑ a.CPU
❑ b.CMOS
❑ c.ROM BIOS
❑ d.RAM
15.Which of the following constitutes a valid bootup sequence?
❑ a.Initialization, POST, bootup
❑ b.Initialization, bootup, POST
❑ c.Bootup, POST, initialization
❑ d.POST, initialization, bootup
16.A good example of firmware is ______.
❑ a.ROM BIOS
❑ b.Windows 95
❑ c.DOS
❑ d.CONFIG.SYS
17.During startup, the memory of a computer is tested by ______.
❑ a.the CMOS setup program
❑ b.the POST
❑ c.the CPU
❑ d.the Interrupt Controller
18.Which of the following connectors is used in PC compatibles for the VGA video function?
❑ a.9-pin, female D-shell
❑ b.BNC female
❑ c.15-pin, female D-shell
❑ d.4-pin female
19.Which type of interface would you normally expect to encounter when installing an external CD-ROM drive?
❑ a.Parallel port
❑ b.EIDE connector
❑ c.PCI slot
❑ d.SCSI port
20.An optical CD-ROM disk typically contains ______ of information.
❑ a.380MB
❑ b.600MB
❑ c.420MB
❑ d.upwards of 600MB
21.A computer has two floppy disk drives. Which of them is the A: drive?
❑ a.The floppy drive that is first attached to the cable
❑ b.The floppy drive that is attached to the nearest connector
❑ c.The floppy drive that is attached to the connector at the end of the cable
❑ d.The floppy drive that is designated via its jumpers
22.Disk tracks are composed of ______.
❑ a.clusters
❑ b.sectors
❑ c.FRUs
❑ d.magnetic spots
Answer: 59
Answer: 54
Answer: 59
Answer: 54
Answer: 59
23.The resolution for a video adapter operating in native VGA mode is _____ pixels.
❑ a.640×480
❑ b.350×468
❑ c.800×600
❑ d.1,024×768
24.Which video standard is superior to the others listed?
❑ a.XGA
❑ b.VGA
❑ c.SVGA
❑ d.HGA
25.Replacing the power supply in an AT system requires that you also ______.
❑ a.replace the AC power cord that attaches to the rear of the system unit
❑ b.reinstall the Windows operating system using a different directory
❑ c.reset the CMOS setup values to their default power-on settings
❑ d.match the P8 and P9 PS connectors to the P1 and P2 motherboard connectors, respectively
26.What is the main difference between AT and ATX power supplies?
❑ a.ATX power supplies require 240V AC input.
❑ b.The ATX power supply is controlled by a software switch on the system board.
❑ c.ATX power supplies deliver more power to the system.
❑ d.AT power supplies blow air onto the system board rather than out through the back of the unit.
27.Which of the following describe differences between an ISA expansion slot and a PCI expansion slot? (Select two correct answers.)
❑ a.PCI slots are primarily used for video graphics adapters.
❑ b.PCI slots are available in 32 or 64 bits.
❑ c.32-bit PCI slots are shorter than 16-bit ISA slots.
❑ d.PCI slots are longer.
Answer: 60
Answer: 54
Answer: 60
Answer: 54
Answer: 60
28.Which pin is used to align a microprocessor for insertion?
❑ a.Pin 8
❑ b.Pin 0
❑ c.Pin 10
❑ d.Pin 1
29.Which system component executes software instructions and carries out arithmetic operations for the system?
❑ a.The CMOS RAM
❑ b.The microprocessor
❑ c.The BIOS
❑ d.The U and V pipes
30.Which two are legitimate names for system boards?
❑ a.Motherboards
❑ b.Planar boards
❑ c.Circuit boards
❑ d.Daughter boards
31.Nonvolatile data can be stored in ______.
❑ a.register
❑ b.cache
❑ c.ROM
❑ d.RAM
32.Which type of storage is volatile?
❑ a.RAM
❑ b.CD-ROM
❑ c.Disk
❑ d.ROM
33.Which memory package uses a 168-pin slot or socket?
❑ a.SIP
❑ b.DIP
❑ c.SIMM
❑ d.DIMM
34.Which of the following is not a function of the Basic Input Output System?
❑ a.Performing the Power On Self Tests
❑ b.Initializing the system’s intelligent devices
❑ c.Loading an operating system
❑ d.Configuring printers attached to the system
Quick Check
Quick Answer: 54
Detailed Answer: 60
Quick Answer: 54
Detailed Answer: 60
Quick Answer: 54
Detailed Answer: 60
Quick Answer: 54
Detailed Answer: 60
Quick Answer: 54
Detailed Answer: 60
Quick Answer: 54
Detailed Answer: 60
Quick Answer: 54
Detailed Answer: 60
35.What does .28-dot pitch mean?
❑ a.The dots are .28cm apart.
❑ b.The dots are .28mm apart.
❑ c.The dots are .28 inches wide.
❑ d.The dots are .28nm apart.
36.Which term does not describe the dot information produced by a color monitor?
❑ a.Bit-mapped
❑ b.Pixel
❑ c.Triad
❑ d.Picture element
37.If you were buying a new monitor, which of the following has the best dot pitch?
❑ a..29
❑ b..28
❑ c..30
❑ d..32
38.What is used to prevent the spreading of the electron beam on a color monitor?
❑ a.Glass faceplate
❑ b.Color shield
❑ c.Shadow mask
❑ d.Phosphor shield
39.Which interface type is normally associated with an internal CD-ROM drive in a PC-compatible computer?
❑ a.IEEE-1394 FireWire adapter
❑ b.EIDE connector
❑ c.USB port connector
❑ d.SCSI adapter
40.What type of card is a SCSI adapter?
❑ a.Video adapter
❑ b.Host adapter
❑ c.Sound adapter
❑ d.Network adapter
Quick Check
Quick Answer: 54
Detailed Answer: 60
Quick Answer: 54
Detailed Answer: 60
Quick Answer: 54
Detailed Answer: 60 Quick Answer: 54
Detailed Answer: 61
Quick Answer: 54
Detailed Answer: 61 Quick Answer: 54
Detailed Answer: 61
Another random document with no related content on Scribd:
for a minute to send some telegrams to those of the family whom he had forgotten.
We had promised to meet him in the lobby by the desk, and thither Kennedy bent his steps.
“I think I’ll look over the register,” he remarked, as we approached the busiest part of the hotel. “Perhaps, too, some of the clerks may know something.”
There was nothing on the register, apparently, for after turning it around and running through it he merely laid his finger on the name “Señorita Paquita Gonzales, Maid and Chauffeur, New York,” written under the date of the day before the arrival of the Maddoxes for the conference, and among the last of the day, showing that she had arrived late.
As we were looking over the names we were startled by a voice softly speaking behind us.
“Well, I should have known you fellows would be out here before long. It’s a big case. Don’t notice me here. I’ll see you in the writingroom. It’s empty now.”
We turned in surprise. It was our old friend Burke, of the Secret Service.
He had already lounged off, and we followed without seeming to do so, stopping only for a moment at the news-stand.
“Why are you here?” demanded Craig, pointedly, as we three settled ourselves in an angle of the deserted writing-room.
“For the same reason that you are,” Burke returned, with a smile; then added, gravely, “I can trust you, Kennedy.”
Craig was evidently much impressed by the low tone and the manner of the detective, but said nothing.
“They tell me Hastings was in town this morning, at your laboratory,” went on Burke. “Too bad he didn’t take the time to call
up his office. But he knows something now—that is, if he has that note I left for him.”
“Why, what is that?” chorused both Craig and I.
Just then Hastings himself almost ran into the room as if his life depended on finding us.
As he saw us he darted over to our corner.
“You are Mr. Burke, of the Secret Service?” he queried as Burke nodded. “Kennedy, the safe in the office of Maddox Munitions in New York was robbed late last night or early this morning, and the model of the telautomaton is stolen!”
III
THE CABARET DANCER
WE could only stare from Burke to Hastings, startled at the magnitude of the affair as it developed so rapidly.
For a moment Hastings was at a loss, then darted quickly into a telephone-booth to call up his office on long distance for confirmation of the news.
As we waited I happened to glance out into the lobby. At the far end, in an angle, to my surprise I saw Shelby and Paquita. Evidently she had hovered about, waiting for a chance to find him alone, and had at last succeeded.
Already Kennedy and Burke had seen them.
Paquita was talking earnestly. Of course, we could not overhear what was said, and they were so placed that even if we moved closer to them they would be likely to see us. Still, from our corner we could observe without being observed.
It seemed as if Paquita were making a desperate effort to attract Shelby, while, on his part, it was quite evident that he was endeavoring to get away.
Paquita was indeed a fascinating figure. From what I had already observed, a score of the young fellows about the Harbor House would have given their eyes to have been in Shelby’s place. Why was he seeking so to avoid her? Was it that he did not dare to trust himself with the little dancer? Or was there some hold that she had over him which he feared?
The interview had not proceeded long when Shelby deliberately seemed to excuse himself and walked away. Paquita looked after him as he hurried off, and I would have given much to have been close enough to observe her expression. Was it one of fury, of a woman scorned? At any rate, I would have wagered that it boded no good for Shelby.
I turned to say something to Kennedy and found that he was looking in another direction. We were not the only observers. From a window outside on the porch the sallow-faced man was also watching. As Shelby walked away the man seemed to be very angry. Was it the anger of jealousy because Paquita was with Shelby or was it anger because Shelby had repulsed her advances? Who was the fellow and why was he so interested in the little dancer and the young millionaire?
Hastings rejoined us from the telephone-booth, his face almost pale.
“It’s a fact,” he groaned. “They have been trying to reach me all day, but could not. The secret of the telautomaton stolen—the secret that is too terrible to be in the hands of any one except the Government. How did you hear of it?” he asked Burke.
Burke answered slowly, watching the expression on Hastings’s face. “When the cashier of the company arrived at the office this morning he found the safe had been rifled. It seems an almost incomprehensible thing—as you will understand when you see it for yourself. The cashier telephoned at once to the Secret Service in the Custom-House, and I jumped out on the case. You did not go to your own office. I did a little hasty deduction—guessed that you might have gone to see Kennedy. At any rate, I wanted to see him myself.”
Kennedy interrupted long enough to tell about the revolver-shot and the attack on Hastings at our very door.
“Whew!” exclaimed Burke, “just missed you. Well,” he added, with a dry sort of humor, “I missed you, too, and decided to come out
here on the train. Kennedy, you must go back to town with me and look at that safe. How anybody could get into it is a mystery beyond me. But the telautomaton is gone. My orders are simple—get it back!”
For a moment neither Kennedy nor Hastings spoke. It was most peculiar—the plans gone in Westport, the model gone in New York.
“Who could have stolen the model?” I asked, finally. “Have you any theory, Burke?”
“A theory, yes,” he replied, slowly, “but no facts to back it. I suppose you know that the war has driven out some of the most clever and astute crooks that Paris, Vienna, London, and other capitals ever produced. The fact is that we are at present in the hands of the largest collection of high-grade foreign criminals that has ever visited this country. I think it is safe to say that at present there are more foreign criminals of high degree in New York and at the fashionable summer resorts than could be found in all the capitals of Europe combined. They have evaded military service because at heart they are cowards and hate work. War is hard work. Then, there is little chance of plying their trade, for their life is the gay life of the cafés and boulevards. Besides, America is the only part of the world where prosperity is reigning. So they are here, preying on American wealth. Suppose some one—some foreign agent wanted the telautomaton. There are plenty of tools he could use for his purpose in obtaining it.”
The countenance of the sallow-faced man recurred to me. It was an alarming possibility that Burke’s speculation raised. Were we really not involved in a pure murder case, but in the intricacies of the machinations of some unknown power?
Burke looked at his watch, then again at Kennedy. “Really, I think you ought to go back to town,” he reiterated, “and take the case up there.”
“And leave these people all here to do as they please, cover up what they will?” objected Hastings, who had tried to prevent just
that sort of thing by bringing Kennedy out post-haste.
“My men are perfectly competent to watch anything that goes on at Westport,” returned Burke. “I have them posted all about and I’m digging up some good stuff. Already I know just what happened the night before the conference. That cabaret dancer, Paquita, motored out here and arrived about the time the Sybarite cast anchor. She met Shelby Maddox at the Casino and they had a gay supper party. But it ended early. She knew that Marshall Maddox was coming the next day. I know he had known her in the city. As to Shelby we don’t know yet. The meeting may have been chance or it may have been prearranged.”
I recalled not only the little incident we had just seen, but the glance of jealousy Paquita had given Shelby when she saw him with Winifred. What did it mean? Had Shelby Maddox been using Paquita against his brother, and now was he trying to cast her off? Or was Burke’s theory correct? Was she a member of a clever band of super-criminals, playing one brother against the other for some ulterior end? Was the jealousy feigned or was it real, after all?
“What I am endeavoring to do now,” went on Burke, “is to trace the doings of Paquita the night of the murder. I cannot find out whether she came out at the invitation of Marshall Maddox or not. Perhaps it was Shelby. I don’t know. If it was Marshall, what about his former wife? Did he suppose that she would not be here? Or didn’t he care?”
“Perhaps—blackmail,” suggested Hastings, who, as a lawyer, had had more or less to do with such attempts.
Burke shook his head. “It might have been, of course, but in that case don’t you think you, as Maddox’s lawyer, would have heard something of it? You have not—have you? You don’t know anything about her?”
Burke regarded the lawyer keenly, as though he might be concealing something. But Hastings merely shook his head.
“Mr. Maddox did not confide his weaknesses to me,” Hastings remarked, coldly.
“If we are going back to the city,” returned Burke, cheerfully changing the subject, to the evident surprise of Hastings, “I must find my operative, Riley, and let him know what to do while we are gone.”
“Look,” muttered Kennedy under his breath to us and nodding down the lobby.
Shelby Maddox had sought and found Winifred, and was chatting as animatedly as if there had been no Paquita in the world less than five minutes before.
As we watched, Hastings remarked: “It was only the day before the murder that Shelby first met Winifred Walcott. I believe he had never seen his brother-in-law’s sister before. She had been away in the West ever since Frances Maddox married Walcott. Winifred seems to have made a quick conquest.”
Remembering what had happened before, I took a quick look about to see whether any one else was as interested as ourselves. Seeing no one, Kennedy and I strolled down the corridor quietly.
We had not gone far before we stopped simultaneously. Nestled in the protecting wings of a big wicker chair was Paquita, and as we watched her she never took her eyes from the couple ahead.
What did this constant espionage of Shelby mean? For one thing, we must place this little adventuress in the drama of the Maddox house of hate. We moved back a bit where we could see them all.
A light footfall beside us caused us to turn suddenly. It was Mito, padding along on some errand to his master. As he passed I saw that his beady eyes had noted that we were watching Shelby. There was no use to retreat now. We had been observed. Mito passed, bestowing a quick sidewise glance on Paquita as he did so. A moment later he approached Shelby deferentially and stood waiting a few feet away.
Shelby looked up and saw his valet, bowed an excuse to Winifred, and strode over to where Mito was standing. The conversation was brief. What it was about we had no means of determining, but of one thing we were certain. Mito had not neglected a hasty word to his master that he was watched. For, an instant later when Mito had been dismissed, Shelby returned to Winifred and they walked deliberately out of the hotel across a wide stretch of open lawn in the direction of the tennis-courts. To follow him was a confession that we were watching. Evidently, too, that had been Shelby’s purpose, for as he chatted he turned half-way, now and then, to see if they were observed. Again Mito padded by and I fancied I caught a subtle smile on his saturnine face. If we were watching, we were ourselves no less watched.
There was nothing to be gained in this blind game of hide-andseek, and Kennedy was evidently not yet prepared to come out into the open. Paquita, too, seemed to relinquish the espionage for the moment, for she rose and walked slowly toward the Casino, where she was quickly joined by some of her more ardent admirers.
I glanced at Kennedy.
“I think we had better go back to Burke and Hastings,” he decided. “Burke is right. His men can do almost as much here as we could at present. Besides, if we go away the mice may play. They will think we have been caught napping. That telautomaton robbery is surely our next big point of attack. Here it is first of all the mystery of Marshall Maddox’s death, and I cannot do anything more until the coroner sends me, as he has promised, the materials from the autopsy. Even then I shall need to be in my laboratory if I am to discover anything.”
“Your sallow-faced friend seemed quite interested in you,” commented Burke as we rejoined him.
“How’s that?” inquired Kennedy.
“From here I could see him, following every move you made,” explained the Secret Service man.
Kennedy bit his lip. Not only had Mito seen us and conveyed a warning to Shelby, but the dark-skinned man of mystery had been watching us all. Evidently the situation was considerably mixed. Perhaps if we went away it would really clear itself up and we might place these people more accurately with reference to one another.
Burke looked at his watch hurriedly. “There’s a train that leaves in twenty minutes,” he announced. “We can make the station in a car in fifteen.”
Kennedy and I followed him to the door, while Hastings trailed along reluctantly, not yet assured that it would be safe to leave Westport so soon.
At the door a man stepped up deferentially to Burke, with a glance of inquiry at us.
“It’s all right, Riley,” reassured Burke. “You can talk before them. One of my best operatives, Riley, gentlemen. I shall leave this end in your charge, Val.”
“All right, sir,” returned the Secret Service operative. “I was just going to say, about that dark fellow we saw gum-shoeing it about. We’re watching him. We picked him up on the beach during the bathing hour. Do you know who he is? He’s the private detective whom Mrs. Maddox had watching her husband and that Paquita woman. I don’t know what he’s watching her yet for, sir, but,” Riley lowered his voice for emphasis, “once one of the men saw him talking to Paquita. Between you and me, I wouldn’t be surprised if he was trying to double-cross Mrs. Maddox.”
Hastings opened his eyes in wonder at the news. As for me, I began to wonder if I had not been quite mistaken in my estimate of Irene Maddox. Was she the victim, the cat’s-paw of some one?
Riley was not finished, however. “Another thing before you leave, Mr. Burke,” he added. “The night watchman at the Harbor House tells me that he saw that Japanese servant of Shelby Maddox last night, or, rather, early this morning. He didn’t go down to the dock
and the watchman thought that perhaps he had been left ashore by mistake and couldn’t get out on the Sybarite.”
“That’s impossible,” cut in Hastings, quickly. “He was on the yacht last night when we went to bed and he woke me up this morning.”
“I know it,” nodded Riley. “You see, I figure that he might have come off the yacht in a rowboat and landed down the shore on the beach. Then he might have got back. But what for?”
The question was unanswered, but not, we felt, unanswerable.
“Very well, Riley,” approved Burke. “Keep right after anything that turns up. And don’t let that Paquita out of sight of some of the men a minute. Good-by. We’ve just time to catch the train.”
Hastings was still unreconciled to the idea of leaving town, in spite of the urgency of the developments in New York.
“I think it’s all right,” reassured Kennedy. “You see, if I stayed I’d have to call on an agency, anyhow. Besides, I got all I could and the only thing left would be to watch them. Perhaps if I go away they may do something they wouldn’t dare otherwise. In that case we have planted a fine trap. You can depend on it that Burke’s men will do more for us, now, than any private agency.”
Hastings agreed reluctantly, and as we hurried back to New York on the train Kennedy quizzed Burke as he had Hastings on the journey out.
There was not much that Burke could add to what he had already told us. The robbery of the safe in the Maddox office had been so cleverly executed that I felt that it would rank along with the historic cases. No ordinary yeggs or petermen had performed this operation, and as the train neared the city we were all on edge to learn what possibly might have been uncovered during the hours that we had been working on the other end of the case out at Westport.
