diff options
| author | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 04:52:16 -0700 |
|---|---|---|
| committer | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 04:52:16 -0700 |
| commit | 28f3830ef41e86e2812075061f4d4c84b0920c0a (patch) | |
| tree | 240336ed6cb70e60b0513d41d8f8a5a99fa5585f /17985-h | |
Diffstat (limited to '17985-h')
| -rw-r--r-- | 17985-h/17985-h.htm | 6476 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 17985-h/images/frontis.jpg | bin | 0 -> 40147 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 17985-h/images/inside_blue.jpg | bin | 0 -> 52748 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 17985-h/images/pic111.jpg | bin | 0 -> 17459 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 17985-h/images/pic134_135.jpg | bin | 0 -> 25778 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 17985-h/images/pic149.jpg | bin | 0 -> 23761 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 17985-h/images/pic170_171.jpg | bin | 0 -> 26140 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 17985-h/images/pic21.jpg | bin | 0 -> 20863 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 17985-h/images/pic2_3.jpg | bin | 0 -> 26553 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 17985-h/images/pic43.jpg | bin | 0 -> 30129 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 17985-h/images/pic60_61.jpg | bin | 0 -> 24699 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 17985-h/images/pic80_81.jpg | bin | 0 -> 31610 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 17985-h/images/pic96.jpg | bin | 0 -> 26084 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 17985-h/images/swiftcover.jpg | bin | 0 -> 140715 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 17985-h/images/swiftspine.jpg | bin | 0 -> 24355 bytes |
15 files changed, 6476 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/17985-h/17985-h.htm b/17985-h/17985-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..f457580 --- /dev/null +++ b/17985-h/17985-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,6476 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> +<html> +<head> +<title>Tom Swift and the Visitor from Planet X</title> +<meta http-equiv = "Content-Type" content = "text/html; charset=US-ASCII"> + +<style type = "text/css"> +body {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + +a.plain {text-decoration: none;} + +hr {width: 80%; margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em;} +hr.mid {width: 50%;} + +p, div, blockquote {margin-top: .5em; margin-bottom: 0em; +line-height: 1.2;} +blockquote {margin: 1em 2em 0em 2em; font-size: 90%;} + +h1, h2, h3, h4, h5, h6 {text-align: center; font-style: normal; +font-weight: bold; font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 1.5; +margin-top: .5em; margin-bottom: .5em;} + +h1 {font-size: 200%;} +h2 {font-size: 150%;} +h3 {font-size: 125%;} +h4 {font-size: 115%;} +h5 {font-size: 100%;} +h6 {font-size: 90%;} + +.left {text-align: left;} +.serif {font-family: serif; font-weight: normal;} +.bigger {font-size: 350%; margin-bottom: .2em;} +.chapter {margin-top: 4em;} + +p.illustration {text-align: center; margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; +clear: both;} +p.illustration.page {margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 2em;} +.dustjacket {font-size: 95%; margin-left: 5em; margin-right: 5em;} + +.space {margin-top: 1em;} +.center {text-align: center;} + +table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 1em; +margin-bottom: 1em;} +table.cover {width: 80%;} +td {vertical-align: top;} +td.spine {width: 25%;} +td.number {text-align: right;} +td.number.left {padding-right: 1em;} +td.number.right {padding-left: 1em;} +td.chaptitle {font-variant: small-caps;} + +span.picture {float: right; margin: 1em 0em 1em 1em;} + +.smallcaps {font-variant: small-caps;} +.firstword {text-transform: uppercase;} +.smalltype {font-size: 75%;} + +ins.correction {text-decoration: none; border-bottom: thin dotted red;} +.pagenum {position: absolute; right: 5%; font-size: 95%; +font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-align: right; +text-indent: 0em;} +.mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; +margin: 1em 5em; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + +</style> +</head> + + +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Tom Swift and The Visitor from Planet X, by +Victor Appleton + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Tom Swift and The Visitor from Planet X + +Author: Victor Appleton + +Release Date: March 14, 2006 [EBook #17985] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TOM SWIFT AND THE VISITOR *** + + + + +Produced by Louise Hope, Greg Weeks and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<p class = "illustration page"> +<img src = "images/swiftcover.jpg" width = "571" height = "675" +title = "cover" alt = "Tom Swift and the Visitor from Planet X"> +</p> + +<div class = "mynote"> +Transcriber's Note:<br> +To let you get to the story sooner, the <a href = +"#dust_jacket">dust-jacket copy</a> and other preliminary text has +been moved to the end of the file, and the <a href = +"#frontis">frontispiece</a> has been relocated after the +Table of Contents. +</div> + +<br> + +<!--main title page--> + +<h5 class = "left">THE NEW TOM SWIFT JR. ADVENTURES</h5> + +<h1 class = "left bigger">TOM SWIFT</h1> + +<h2 class = "left">AND THE VISITOR<br> +FROM PLANET X</h2> + +<h3 class = "left">BY VICTOR APPLETON II</h3> + +<h6 class = "left">ILLUSTRATED BY GRAHAM KAYE</h6> + +<br> + +<h4>GROSSET & DUNLAP</h4> + +<h5>NEW YORK · PUBLISHERS</h5> + +<hr class = "mid"> + +<h6 class = "serif"> +© BY GROSSET & DUNLAP, INC., 1961<br> +ALL RIGHTS RESERVED</h6> +<br> +<h6 class = "serif"> +PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA</h6> + +<hr> + +<!--real text begins--> + +<h4>CONTENTS</h4> + +<table> +<tr> +<td colspan = "2"><span class = "smalltype">CHAPTER</span></td> +<td class = "number smalltype">PAGE</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class = "number left">1</td> +<td class = "chaptitle"> +<a class = "plain" href = "#chap_1"> +The Earthquake</a></td> +<td class = "number right"><a href = "#page1">1</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class = "number left">2</td> +<td class = "chaptitle"> +<a class = "plain" href = "#chap_2"> +The Mysterious Hitchhiker</a></td> +<td class = "number right"><a href = "#page11">11</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class = "number left">3</td> +<td class = "chaptitle"> +<a class = "plain" href = "#chap_3"> +Report from Interpol</a></td> +<td class = "number right"><a href = "#page18">18</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class = "number left">4</td> +<td class = "chaptitle"> +<a class = "plain" href = "#chap_4"> +Another Tremor!</a></td> +<td class = "number right"><a href = "#page30">30</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class = "number left">5</td> +<td class = "chaptitle"> +<a class = "plain" href = "#chap_5"> +Secret Cache</a></td> +<td class = "number right"><a href = "#page39">39</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class = "number left">6</td> +<td class = "chaptitle"> +<a class = "plain" href = "#chap_6"> +Brungarian Coup</a></td> +<td class = "number right"><a href = "#page46">46</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class = "number left">7</td> +<td class = "chaptitle"> +<a class = "plain" href = "#chap_7"> +Wall of Water!</a></td> +<td class = "number right"><a href = "#page55">55</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class = "number left">8</td> +<td class = "chaptitle"> +<a class = "plain" href = "#chap_8"> +A Suspect Talks</a></td> +<td class = "number right"><a href = "#page65">65</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class = "number left">9</td> +<td class = "chaptitle"> +<a class = "plain" href = "#chap_9"> +The Cave Monster</a></td> +<td class = "number right"><a href = "#page73">73</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class = "number left">10</td> +<td class = "chaptitle"> +<a class = "plain" href = "#chap_10"> +Energy from Planet X</a></td> +<td class = "number right"><a href = "#page83">83</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class = "number left">11</td> +<td class = "chaptitle"> +<a class = "plain" href = "#chap_11"> +An Electrical Christening</a></td> +<td class = "number right"><a href = "#page92">92</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class = "number left">12</td> +<td class = "chaptitle"> +<a class = "plain" href = "#chap_12"> +Exman Takes Orders</a></td> +<td class = "number right"><a href = "#page99">99</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class = "number left">13</td> +<td class = "chaptitle"> +<a class = "plain" href = "#chap_13"> +Disaster Strikes</a></td> +<td class = "number right"><a href = "#page106">106</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class = "number left">14</td> +<td class = "chaptitle"> +<a class = "plain" href = "#chap_14"> +Air-borne Hijackers</a></td> +<td class = "number right"><a href = "#page115">115</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class = "number left">15</td> +<td class = "chaptitle"> +<a class = "plain" href = "#chap_15"> +<ins class = "correction" title = +"normal spelling in this text">Kidnaped!</ins></a></td> +<td class = "number right"><a href = "#page125">125</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class = "number left">16</td> +<td class = "chaptitle"> +<a class = "plain" href = "#chap_16"> +A Unique Experiment</a></td> +<td class = "number right"><a href = "#page137">137</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class = "number left">17</td> +<td class = "chaptitle"> +<a class = "plain" href = "#chap_17"> +An Urgent Warning</a></td> +<td class = "number right"><a href = "#page145">145</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class = "number left">18</td> +<td class = "chaptitle"> +<a class = "plain" href = "#chap_18"> +Earthquake Island</a></td> +<td class = "number right"><a href = "#page155">155</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class = "number left">19</td> +<td class = "chaptitle"> +<a class = "plain" href = "#chap_19"> +A Fiendish Machine</a></td> +<td class = "number right"><a href = "#page166">166</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class = "number left">20</td> +<td class = "chaptitle"> +<a class = "plain" href = "#chap_20"> +The Robot Spy's Story</a></td> +<td class = "number right"><a href = "#page177">177</a></td> +</tr> +</table> + +<!--frontispiece--> +<a name = "frontis"> </a> +<p class = "illustration page"> +<img src = "images/frontis.jpg" width = "345" height = "481" +title = "frontispiece" alt = "Exman is taken into submarine"> +<br> +<i>The raiders transferred Exman to the enemy sub</i> +</p> + +<span class = "pagenum">1</span> +<a name = "page1"> </a> +<h5 class = "left chapter"><a name = "chap_1">CHAPTER I</a></h5> +<h4>THE EARTHQUAKE</h4> + + +<p><span class = "firstword">"Tom,</span> +we're having a problem with the gyro-stabilizer," said Mark Faber, +gray-haired president of the Faber Electronics Company. "Hope you can +find out what's wrong."</p> + +<p>The eighteen-year-old inventor accepted the challenge with a smile. +"I'll be glad to try, sir," he replied.</p> + +<p>Bud Barclay, a dark-haired young flier and Tom Swift Jr.'s closest +friend, chuckled. "If anyone can get the bugs out of your new invention, +genius boy here will do it!"</p> + +<p>The two boys followed Mr. Faber and his engineers to a wooden +building which was tightly guarded. Inside, a secret rocket-telemetering +device was mounted on its test stand.</p> + +<p>"As you know, Tom," Mr. Faber began, "the usual conditions of rocket +flight will be—"</p> + +<p> +<span class = "pagenum">2</span> +<a name = "page2"> </a> +He broke off with a gasp of astonishment as the whole building suddenly +began to shake.</p> + +<p>"Good grief!" Bud exclaimed. "This isn't part of your testing +routine, is it?"</p> + +<p>His question was drowned out by cries of alarm and the sound of +cracking glass. The walls and roof were shuddering and creaking, and the +concrete floor was heaving under their feet.</p> + +<p>"Look out! The test stand's breaking loose!" Tom warned.</p> + +<p class = "illustration"> +<img src = "images/pic2_3.jpg" width = "568" height = "280" +alt = "(earthquake in the lab)"></p> + +<p> +<span class = "pagenum">3</span> +<a name = "page3"> </a> +Mr. Faber and two of his men tried frantically to brace the heavy test +stand which held the telemetering device. Another engineer rushed toward +the door to see what was happening outside. Before he reached it, +another shock knocked all of them off their feet.</p> + +<p>Electronic equipment cascaded from the wall shelves, and a heavy-duty +chain hoist came loose from its overhead track, plunging to the floor +with a terrifying crash.</p> + +<p>"An earthquake!" Tom gasped.</p> + +<p> +Bud, meanwhile, clawed a handhold on a wire screen enclosing an air +compressor and pulled himself to his feet. But the next moment a third, +<span class = "pagenum">4</span> +<a name = "page4"> </a> +more violent tremor rocked the building, knocking him over. "The roof! +It's caving in!" he heard someone scream.</p> + +<p>As his eyes flashed upward in panic, Bud caught a brief glimpse of +the ponderous test stand with the priceless telemeter tilting to one +side. An instant later it crashed over, pinning Mark Faber beneath +it!</p> + +<p>Bud threw up his arms to protect himself, but too late! A falling +beam caught him on the back of the head and the young flier +blacked out.</p> + +<p>For minutes, no one stirred among the wreckage. Then Tom, who had +been stunned by some falling debris, raised himself to a sitting +position.</p> + +<p>"Good night!" Tom's eyes focused in horror on the wreckage enveloped +by still-billowing dust.</p> + +<p>The sky was visible through several gaping holes in the roof, which +was sagging dangerously on its supporting trusses. Only two thirds of +the walls were still standing.</p> + +<p>Suddenly Tom stiffened in fear. "Bud!" The young inventor had just +noticed his friend lying pinned beneath a heavy beam nearby. <i>Was he +still breathing?</i></p> + +<p>Disregarding his own injuries, Tom hastily freed himself from the +debris and groped his way to Bud's side. With a desperate heave, he +shoved the beam away, then cradled Bud's head in his arm. His friend's +eyelids flickered.</p> + +<p>"Are you all right?" Tom asked fearfully.</p> + +<p> +<span class = "pagenum">5</span> +<a name = "page5"> </a> +The answer came in a groan. "O-oh!... Wow!... What hit me?"</p> + +<p>"You got conked by a falling timber. Or grazed, at least," Tom added +thankfully. "If that beam had landed square on your noggin, even a +rock-head like you couldn't have survived!"</p> + +<p>Bud managed to grin. "We grow 'em tough out in California where I +come from!" he joked.</p> + +<p>Somewhat shakily, Bud got to his feet with Tom's assistance. Both +boys were heartsick as they surveyed the damaged laboratory, wondering +where to begin rescue operations.</p> + +<p>"It was a quake," Bud stated grimly. He had heard about the great San +Francisco earthquake from his grandfather, and had no doubt about the +nature of the tremors.</p> + +<p>Just then Tom glimpsed a body protruding from under the wreckage of +the telemetering device.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Faber!" he gasped.</p> + +<p>The two boys scrambled through the clutter of debris toward the spot +where the test stand had been erected. Bud seized a slender, steel I +beam and managed to pry up the wreckage while Tom carefully extricated +Mr. Faber.</p> + +<p>The scientist seemed to be badly injured. "We'd better not try to +move him," Tom decided. "We'll get an ambulance."</p> + +<p> +Of the four other company engineers, two were now stirring and partly +conscious. The boys found +<span class = "pagenum">6</span> +<a name = "page6"> </a> +a first-aid cabinet and gave what help they could to them and the other +two men. Then Tom taped a bandage on Bud's scalp wound.</p> + +<p>"Let's see if we can find a telephone and call the local hospital," +Tom said.</p> + +<p>"Right!" Bud responded.</p> + +<p>They picked their way through the wreckage and emerged on a scene of +frightful destruction. The main plant building of Faber Electronics had +been partially demolished by the quake. Power lines were down and an +outlying storage shed was ablaze. Dazed and panic-stricken survivors +were wandering around aimlessly or rushing about to assist the +injured.</p> + +<p>"Good thing the main shift of workers knocked off before this +happened," Bud observed with a shudder. "There would've been a lot more +casualties."</p> + +<p>"Look!" Tom pointed to a huge crevasse. "Right where we landed our +Whirling Duck!"</p> + +<p>The boys exchanged rueful glances as they realized that the craft +which had brought them to Faber Electronics—one of Tom's unique +helijets—had been swallowed up in the gaping chasm.</p> + +<p>"No use fussing about it now," Tom said. "Come on, Bud! Let's see +about getting help for Mr. Faber!"</p> + +<p> +Despite the chaotic confusion, the boys managed to locate the plant +superintendent—a harried, middle-aged man named Simkins—who +was +<span class = "pagenum">7</span> +<a name = "page7"> </a> +doing his best to restore order. Simkins, who had not been injured, +informed them that electricians were rigging an emergency telephone line +in order to get through to the nearby town of Harkness.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Faber is badly injured," Tom said. "Why not send a car? It's +only a few miles away, isn't it?"</p> + +<p>"I'll send the plant nurse to him," Simkins said. "As for going to +town, take a look at the parking lot." He pointed with a jerk of his +thumb. The cars on the lot had been smashed into junk by bricks from a +collapsing wall of one of the buildings. "And the only truck we had +available was in that burning shed," the superintendent added +bitterly.</p> + +<p>"Tough break," Tom sympathized. "Anyhow, we want to help. Got a job +for us?"</p> + +<p>Simkins was only too glad to put Tom's quick mind and keen technical +know-how to use. Within minutes, Tom was in charge of clearing away +rubble and extricating anyone who might be trapped inside the buildings. +Bud organized a fire-fighting crew to keep the blaze in the shed from +spreading.</p> + +<p>The telephone line was soon repaired and a steady stream of rescue +vehicles began arriving from Harkness—fire trucks, three +ambulances, and private cars driven by volunteers.</p> + +<p> +Two hours later there was nothing more Tom and Bud could do at the +disaster scene and they +<span class = "pagenum">8</span> +<a name = "page8"> </a> +hitched a ride into Harkness. The town had suffered some damage, though +only slight compared to the destruction at the plant.</p> + +<p>"The center of the quake was right under Faber Electronics," Tom +remarked.</p> + +<p>From a pay telephone, he called Swift Enterprises in Shopton. This +was the experimental station where he and his father developed their +many amazing inventions. Tom asked the operator to send a helicopter +immediately to pick them up. He also called home and spoke to his +sister, Sandra.</p> + +<p>"What a relief!" Sandy gasped. "We heard a bulletin about the quake +over the radio!"</p> + +<p>"Don't worry, Sis. Tell Mother and Dad that we're okay," Tom said. +"We'll be home in a jiffy—with big appetites!"</p> + +<p>The helicopter arrived within twenty minutes at the place Tom had +named. After landing at Enterprises, the boys drove to the pleasant, +tree-shaded Swift home on the outskirts of town.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Swift, a slender, petite woman, tried not to show concern when +she saw the boys, bruised and disheveled. "I'm so thankful you're both +safe!" she murmured.</p> + +<p> +Blond, blue-eyed Sandy, who was a year younger than Tom, had invited her +friend Phyllis Newton to the house for dinner. Phyl, a pretty, +dark-haired girl, was the daughter of Mr. Swift's long-time friend and +business associate, "Uncle +<span class = "pagenum">9</span> +<a name = "page9"> </a> +Ned" Newton. The two girls were as much upset as Tom's mother.</p> + +<p>Tom laughed. "We're not stretcher cases," he said. "Why, one of the +ambulance doctors checked us out."</p> + +<p>Bud groaned. "Why did you have to go and spoil it?" he complained +jokingly. "I was all set for Sandy's cool soothing touch on my +fevered brow!"</p> + +<p>Mr. Swift came into the living room just then and told Tom how +worried Mrs. Swift and Sandy had been. "I tried to assure them that +you and Bud can take care of yourselves in any crisis." He smiled +guiltily as he added, "But I must admit I was more than a little +concerned myself."</p> + +<p>As Tom grinned, the resemblance between him and his father was very +evident. Both had the same clean-cut features and deep-set blue eyes, +although Tom Jr. was lankier and taller.</p> + +<p>After the two boys had showered and changed their clothes, Mrs. Swift +served them a delicious, hot meal. While they ate, Mr. Swift managed +after some difficulty to get a call through to the Harkness Hospital. +His face was grave as he hung up.</p> + +<p>"Mark Faber is not expected to live," the elder inventor reported. "A +pity. He's a great scientist."</p> + +<p>Tom nodded unhappily. Sandy, to take her brother's mind off the +disaster, said, "Dad, tell Tom and Bud about the visitor who's +coming."</p> + +<p> +<span class = "pagenum">10</span> +<a name = "page10"> </a> +"A visitor?" Tom looked at his father.</p> + +<p>"From another planet," Mr. Swift revealed.</p> + +<p>Both boys were amazed and excited. "Wow!" Bud gasped. "Male or +female? Human or animal?"</p> + +<p>Mr. Swift's eyes twinkled. "None of those," he replied as the boys +stared, mystified.</p> + + + + +<span class = "pagenum">11</span> +<a name = "page11"> </a> +<h5 class = "left chapter"><a name = "chap_2">CHAPTER II</a></h5> +<h4>THE MYSTERIOUS HITCHHIKER</h4> + + +<p><span class = "firstword">Tom</span> +and Bud were bursting with curiosity. Although the Swifts had been in +radio contact with creatures from outer space for many months, this was +the most exciting news yet!</p> + +<p>On one occasion, the unknown beings had moved a small +asteroid—the phantom satellite Nestria—into orbit about the +earth. Later they had sent strange samples of the animal life of their +planet, aboard orbiting missiles, to be studied by the Swifts. They had +also helped Tom, Bud, and Mr. Swift a number of times when their lives +were at stake while on daring voyages beyond the earth. What was their +latest intention?</p> + +<p>The telephone rang and Sandy went to answer it.</p> + +<p>"For Pete's sake, Dad," Tom pleaded, "don't keep us in suspense! Who +or what is this visitor?"</p> + +<p> +<span class = "pagenum">12</span> +<a name = "page12"> </a> +Mr. Swift smiled at the boys' baffled expressions. "The fact is that a +message came through today that—"</p> + +<p>He was interrupted by Sandy who had come to the door. "The phone +call's for you, Dad. Long distance from Washington."</p> + +<p>Bud groaned as Mr. Swift went off to take the call. "It's a +conspiracy," Bud said. "Everyone's ganging up to keep us from finding +out about that mysterious visitor!"</p> + +<p>Tom grinned. "We lasted through an earthquake this afternoon, pal," +he said consolingly. "I guess we can last through a phone +call."</p> + +<p>Inwardly Tom was as impatient as Bud about the exact nature of the +message.</p> + +<p>Several months ago, the space creatures had sent their first +communication in the form of mathematical symbols carved on a black +missile which had landed on the grounds of Swift Enterprises.</p> + +<p>Tom and his father had decoded the symbols and beamed out a reply +over a powerful radio transmitter. Later messages had been picked up by +radio telescope and converted to appear as symbols on the oscilloscope +screen.</p> + +<p>"Sandy must know what it's all about," Bud broke in. "She's the one +who first mentioned the visitor."</p> + +<p> +"Of course I know," Sandy said mysteriously. "So does Mother and so does +Phyl. But don't +<span class = "pagenum">13</span> +<a name = "page13"> </a> +think we're going to give it away!" she added teasingly.</p> + +<p>Tom and Bud cajoled the two girls and Mrs. Swift for further +information. But Sandy and Phyl only shook their heads, obviously +enjoying the situation.</p> + +<p>"At last we're getting back at them for the way they've neglected +us!" Phyl said, her brown eyes sparkling with laughter.</p> + +<p>"Come on, Mother!" Tom said. "Be a sport. You tell us!"</p> + +<p>But Mrs. Swift too shook her head. "I'm sorry, Tom," she demurred +gently, "but I think the girls are right. I'll say this much, though," +she relented, "it will be the biggest challenge that Tom Swift Jr. and +Sr. have ever faced!"</p> + +<p>"Whew!" Bud remarked as the two boys glanced at each other. "That +must mean it's <i>plenty</i> big news! It would have to be, skipper, to +top all the other jobs you and your dad have taken on!"</p> + +<p>Conquering outer space, probing the ocean's secrets, drilling to the +earth's core—these were only a few of Tom Swift's many exciting +exploits.</p> + +<p>In his first adventure, Tom, in his Flying Lab, had gone to South +America to fend off a gang of rebels seeking a valuable radioactive ore +deposit. In his most recent challenge, Tom had defied the threats of +Oriental killers determined to ferret out the secret of the Swifts' +latest space research.</p> + +<p> +<span class = "pagenum">14</span> +<a name = "page14"> </a> +As the two boys silently recalled the exciting events of the past +months, Mr. Swift returned to the living room.</p> + +<p>Tom and Bud leaned forward in their chairs. "Well, boys," Mr. Swift +said, "as I started to tell you, the space receiver picked up a message +today from our unknown planetary friends. The message informed us that +they are sending a visitor to earth—a visitor consisting of +<i>pure energy!</i>"</p> + +<p>"<i>Energy?</i>" Tom was startled. "I don't get it, Dad!"</p> + +<p>"Frankly, I don't quite understand it myself," Tom Sr. confessed. +"The message didn't explain how or in what form the energy would arrive. +But, at any rate, they want us to construct some sort of container +for it."</p> + +<p>The elder scientist paused thoughtfully. "In my opinion, the energy +which they speak of must be a sort of invisible brain. The symbols were +rather difficult to decode, but apparently our job will be to construct +a device through which the energy will be able to receive impressions of +what life is like here on earth, and also to communicate its own +responses to us."</p> + +<p>Tom sat bolt upright. "Dad, this is terrific news!" he exclaimed. "If +we're able to make this energy or 'brain' communicate, it may be able to +tell <i>us</i> what the space people are like!"</p> + +<p>Mr. Swift nodded, his own eyes blazing with as much excitement as +Tom's were.</p> + +<p> +<span class = "pagenum">15</span> +<a name = "page15"> </a> +Bud, too, was deeply impressed but could not resist quipping, "What sort +of body will you give it? How about a beautiful, superintelligent space +girl for me to date?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing doing!" Sandy retorted mischievously. "I insist on a +handsome young man who'd have time to take two nice earth girls out on +dates!"</p> + +<p>"Ouch!" Bud pretended to wince. "I really left myself wide open for +that one!"</p> + +<p>Mrs. Swift put in, "Goodness, mightn't it get out of control and be +rather overpowering? Suppose it went berserk!"</p> + +<p>"Rather an unpleasant possibility," Mr. Swift agreed, smiling wryly. +"But I trust our space friends wouldn't let that happen."</p> + +<p>Both he and Tom became thoughtful as they discussed the problem.</p> + +<p>"The energy will arrive in two weeks," Mr. Swift added. +"Unfortunately that phone call was a request that I go to Washington on +urgent government business. So you may have to take over and work out a +solution on your own, Tom."</p> + +<p>It was a sobering thought to the young inventor. "You were right, +Mother. This is a terrific challenge."</p> + +<p>Soon afterward, the little gathering broke up. Bud, who had left his +own convertible at the Swifts' that morning, offered to drop Phyl at her +home.</p> + +<p> +<span class = "pagenum">16</span> +<a name = "page16"> </a> +Tom awoke the next morning, refreshed by a good night's sleep. After a +hearty breakfast of bacon and eggs, he drove off to Enterprises in his +low-slung silver sports car.</p> + +<p>"Think I'll listen to the news," Tom thought, and switched on his +dashboard radio.</p> + +<p>A moment later the announcer's voice came over the loud-speaker. +"Casualties from yesterday's disastrous earthquake now total thirty-one +injured," the announcer reported. "Most of these are employees of the +Faber Electronics plant and four are in critical condition. There is one +note of cheer, however. At last report, Mark Faber, the brilliant +president of the company, is now expected to recover." Tom gave a +thankful sigh of relief.</p> + +<p>The announcer continued, "The nearby town of Harkness was only +lightly damaged, but the plant itself was almost totally demolished. No +estimate of the losses has been released, but will certainly run into +millions of dollars, including some highly secret defense items which +were being developed at the plant. Scientists are puzzled by the +severity of the quake in what had been considered a 'dead' area."</p> + +<p>For the first time Tom, too, was struck by this curious aspect of the +disaster. So far as he knew, no serious tremors had ever before been +reported within hundreds of miles of the region.</p> + +<p> +He was mulling over the matter as he drove +<span class = "pagenum">17</span> +<a name = "page17"> </a> +along a lonely wooded area, not far from Lake Carlopa. Suddenly his +thoughts were interrupted as a man stepped out from among the trees +ahead and gestured with his thumb for a ride.</p> + +<p>"Sorry, mister," Tom reflected, "but I've had trouble with +hitchhikers before!" He shook his head to let the man know that he did +not intend to stop.</p> + +<p>To the young inventor's amazement, the pedestrian deliberately +stepped onto the road—squarely in the path of Tom's oncoming +car!</p> + +<p>Tom jammed on the brakes, and the silver sports car screeched to a +stop. Only a quick twist of the wheel had prevented an accident!</p> + +<p>Somewhat angrily, Tom exclaimed, "What's the big idea, mister? Don't +you realize you might have been—"</p> + +<p>"Shut up!" the stranger snarled. In an instant the man had yanked +open the door and climbed in beside Tom.</p> + +<p>"Take me inside the grounds of Swift Enterprises," he commanded in a +foreign accent. "And no tricks or you will regret it!"</p> + + + + +<span class = "pagenum">18</span> +<a name = "page18"> </a> +<h5 class = "left chapter"><a name = "chap_3">CHAPTER III</a></h5> +<h4>REPORT FROM INTERPOL</h4> + + +<p><span class = "firstword">Tom,</span> +astonished, stared at the stranger.</p> + +<p>"Who are you?" the young inventor demanded.</p> + +<p>"Never mind who I am. Just do as I say!"</p> + +<p>By this time Tom had recovered from his surprise and coolly sized up +his enemy. The man was about thirty years old, with close-cropped black +hair. Steely eyes glinted in a lean, hard-jawed face.</p> + +<p>Tom wondered, "<i>Should I risk a fight? Or is he armed?</i>"</p> + +<p>As if in answer, the stranger growled, "I gave you an order, my +friend. Don't press your luck! Get going!"</p> + +<p>As he spoke, the man thrust one hand deep into his coat pocket, and +Tom felt something hard poke against his ribs.</p> + +<p> +The young inventor drove on, but proceeded slowly. He wanted time to +think. Presently Swift +<span class = "pagenum">19</span> +<a name = "page19"> </a> +Enterprises, enclosed by a high wall, came into view.</p> + +<p>Tom's brain was working fast. At last he decided on a ruse. He would +head for the main gate, get out, and use his electronic key without +waiting for the guard to admit him. At the same time, he would press a +secret warning bell to alert the Swift security force.</p> + +<p>But the stranger seemed to read his thoughts. As Tom started to turn +off toward the main gate, his passenger snapped, "Go to the private gate +which you and your father use!"</p> + +<p>"And if I refuse?"</p> + +<p>Again the hard object poked into his ribs. "You will be what you call +in this country a dead duck!" the stranger warned. "I will then let +myself in with your key!"</p> + +<p>Tight-lipped, Tom drove on another half mile, then turned in at the +private gate. The man got out with him as Tom walked up to the gate and +beamed his electronic key at the hidden mechanism. Instantly the gate +swung open, then closed again automatically after the car passed +through.</p> + +<p> +Tom parked in his usual spot. The stranger kept his hand in his pocket, +still covering Tom but glancing around cautiously. The sprawling +experimental station was a vast four-mile-square area with a cluster of +gleaming modern laboratory buildings and workshops. In the distance, a +tall +<span class = "pagenum">20</span> +<a name = "page20"> </a> +glassed-in control tower overlooked Enterprises' long runways for jet +planes.</p> + +<p>Suddenly the stranger stiffened. A paunchy, bowlegged figure, topped +by a white Texas sombrero, was coming straight toward them.</p> + +<p>Tom's heart gave a leap of hope. The man was Chow Winkler, formerly a +chuck-wagon cook and now head chef for the Swifts' expeditions.</p> + +<p>"Hi, boss!" Chow bellowed in his foghorn voice. As usual he was +wearing a gaudy cowboy shirt. "Who's the new buckaroo?" the cook added, +squinting at the stranger with open but friendly curiosity.</p> + +<p>"Why—actually I don't know his name yet, but he's looking for a +job," Tom replied. Turning to the stranger, he added, "What <i>is</i> +your name, mister?"</p> + +<p>The stranger glared from Tom to Chow, as if not certain what to +answer.</p> + +<p>Chow's eyes narrowed. He had detected something strange in the way +Tom addressed the fellow as "mister," and had also noticed how the man +kept one hand hidden in his pocket. Looking to Tom for a lead, Chow +suddenly noticed the young inventor make a quick "thumbs down" +gesture.</p> + +<p>"My name is..." The man's voice fell to a mumble, obscuring the +syllables. "Frankly I am not yet sure I desire a job here, but being an +engineer, I thought perhaps—"</p> + +<p> +<span class = "pagenum">21</span> +<a name = "page21"> </a> +The man's gaze switched back to Tom, and in that instant Chow jumped the +intruder. With surprising agility for his rotund bulk, the cook bore +down on him and let fly a gnarled fist at the stranger's jaw. Tom +followed up like lightning, grabbing the man's wrist and yanking his +hand out of his pocket.</p> + +<p> +<span class = "picture"> +<img src = "images/pic21.jpg" width = "336" height = "329" +alt = "(Tom and Chow fight the intruder)"></span> +He was clutching a snub-nosed automatic. Tom twisted it from his grasp +as the man landed, writhing on the hard ground. Chow quickly pinned his +other arm and drove a knee into the man's solar plexus.</p> + +<p> +<span class = "pagenum">22</span> +<a name = "page22"> </a> +"Jest lie quiet now, you varmint, or you may git yourself roughed up a +bit," Chow warned, then added, "Who is he, Tom?"</p> + +<p>"Search me. He stopped my car on the road and forced me to drive him +in through the private gate. Boy, was I ever glad to see you, +old-timer!"</p> + +<p>Tom emptied out the clip of shells. Then he searched the stranger +while Chow continued holding him down. The man carried no wallet, +papers, or other means of identification.</p> + +<p>"Brand my tumbleweed salad," Chow grumbled, "he sure wasn't takin' no +chances on people findin' out who he is! Which proves he's some sort o' +crooked cowpoke! Honest ones ain't afeared o' showin' their own +brand!"</p> + +<p>The man muttered something angrily in a foreign tongue. Chow merely +pressed down harder with his knee. "What'll we do with him, boss?"</p> + +<p>"Let him up, Chow," Tom said. "Security should be here any +second."</p> + +<p>Even as he spoke, Tom glimpsed a jeep speeding toward them in the +distance. The young inventor knew what had happened. Since the stranger +did not have the special electronic wrist amulet worn by all Swift +employees, his presence had automatically shown up on the master +radarscope. A security squad was coming to investigate.</p> + +<p> +As Chow released the man, he got to his feet +<span class = "pagenum">23</span> +<a name = "page23"> </a> +slowly. Then, without warning, he suddenly butted the cook square in the +stomach. Chow was knocked sprawling!</p> + +<p>Before Tom could counter the surprise attack, the man's fist cracked +against his cheekbone. Tom, though stunned, lashed out. More punches +flew back and forth. Tom landed a stinging blow to his opponent's +midriff, then took a punishing one himself.</p> + +<p>Suddenly Tom felt the stranger's hand clawing at his pocket for the +key to the gate. With all his wiry strength, Tom locked his arms around +the man and wrestled him to the ground.</p> + +<p>The stranger fought like a tiger. But a second later a jeep screeched +to a stop. Three security guards, led by stocky Phil Radnor, leaped out. +Within moments they had the man subdued.</p> + +<p>Tom quickly briefed the security men on what had happened.</p> + +<p>"All right, mister, start talking!" snapped Radnor, head security +police officer.</p> + +<p>The man's only reply was a scowl of rage.</p> + +<p>"Okay, take him away till he cools off," Tom ordered.</p> + +<p>Disheveled and still panting, the man was bundled into the jeep and +driven off to the security building.</p> + +<p> +Tom arrived there by motor scooter several minutes later. Harlan Ames, +the slim, dark-haired +<span class = "pagenum">24</span> +<a name = "page24"> </a> +security chief of Enterprises, had taken charge of the case, and the +prisoner was now being fingerprinted and photographed.</p> + +<p>"Any leads?" Tom inquired.</p> + +<p>Ames shook his head. "He won't talk and we've nothing on him in our +files. His clothes have no tags or laundry marks, but I'd say they're of +foreign make."</p> + +<p>Tom nodded. "He's definitely foreign. He spoke with an accent and he +also muttered something at Chow—I didn't catch it, but it +certainly wasn't in English."</p> + +<p>Ames frowned. "I don't like the looks of this, skipper. He may be +a spy."</p> + +<p>"Have you notified the police?" Tom asked.</p> + +<p>"Right. Also the FBI. They're on the way right now to pick him up. +Maybe they'll be able to worm something out of him."</p> + +<p>Tom spent the morning in routine work in the big double office which +he shared with his father in Enterprises' main building. It was equipped +with huge twin modern desks, deep-pile carpeting, and roomy leather +chairs.</p> + +<p> +Each of the two inventors had his own drawing board, designed to swing +out from the wall at the press of a button. Small scale models of some +of their most famous inventions were also placed about the office, +including a red-and-silver replica of Tom's first rocket ship, the +<i>Star Spear</i>; a blue plastic model of the jetmarine in which he had +<span class = "pagenum">25</span> +<a name = "page25"> </a> +fought a band of undersea pirates; and also a gleaming silvery model of +Tom's latest, unique space craft, the <i>Cosmic Sailer</i>.</p> + +<p>Because of his father's absence in Washington, the burden of +administering the vast experimental station now fell on Tom's youthful +shoulders. Telephone calls, letters, and other detailed work occupied +him until noon.</p> + +<p>Chow broke in, bringing a lunch tray with milk, a hot chicken +sandwich, and a chocolate eclair. Tom ate hungrily.</p> + +<p>"Kind o' peps up the ole supercharger, eh?" said Chow, lingering to +chat.</p> + +<p>"Sure does," Tom agreed.</p> + +<p>"Wal, jest remember that, an' don't go missin' any meals—or +sleep, either," Chow advised as he gathered up the tray. "A brainy young +hombre like you needs plenty o' rest an' vitamins to keep from burnin' +himself out."</p> + +<p>"I'll remember." Tom grinned affectionately as the leathery-faced old +Texan took his leave. The Swifts had first met Chow when they were on an +atomic research expedition in the Southwest. Chow had become so attached +to Tom that he had returned to Shopton with the Swifts as a permanent +employee.</p> + +<p>Soon after Chow left the office, the telephone rang. Tom took the +call and had just finished talking with Harlan Ames when Bud came +strolling in.</p> + +<p> +<span class = "pagenum">26</span> +<a name = "page26"> </a> +"Any more news on that nut who jumped you this morning?" the young flier +asked. "Ames told me about it."</p> + +<p>"Not yet, but there may be soon," Tom said. "Harlan just phoned and +said he'd had a call from Washington, asking us to stand by the +videophone at one-thirty sharp."</p> + +<p>Ames arrived in person shortly before the scheduled time. Moments +later, a red signal flashed on the control board of the Swifts' private +TV network. Tom flicked on the videophone and two men appeared on the +screen.</p> + +<p>One was Blake, the Swifts' Washington, D.C., telecaster. He +introduced the other man, a calm-faced, balding individual in a dark +suit.</p> + +<p>"This is John Thurston of the Central Intelligence Agency, Tom," +Blake said. "He thought it might be better to discuss this with you face +to face."</p> + +<p>Tom, Bud, and Ames were also visible to the pair in Washington.</p> + +<p>"Glad to know you, sir," Tom said, and introduced his companions.</p> + +<p>"We've identified the man you captured this morning," Thurston began. +"He's in the United States on a French passport under the name of +Jacques Renard. But we've just learned from the International Police +Organization that he's actually a Brungarian. His name is Samson +Narko."</p> + +<p> +<span class = "pagenum">27</span> +<a name = "page27"> </a> +Tom and Ames exchanged startled glances. In the past, certain Brungarian +factions had been responsible for some of the most fiendish plots ever +perpetrated against the Swifts.</p> + +<p>"Unfortunately, that's not all," Thurston went on. "Interpol believes +that Narko is also a member of the same rebel outfit with whom you've +had trouble before."</p> + +<p>Tom was dismayed by the news. "I sure thought that group had been +smashed!" he said. Soon after Tom had balked their attempts to seize the +satellite Nestria, the rebel ringleaders had reportedly been arrested +and tried for treason.</p> + +<p>"It now appears," Thurston explained, "that only one segment was +quelled. Other members of the antigovernment movement are active again +and are said to be strongly organized."</p> + +<p>The CIA man related even more sinister news. It was suspected that a +larger nation—by aiding the rebels—was planning a coup to +take over Brungaria. They had already subverted various government +agencies and were sending their own professors to staff the Brungarian +technical schools. It was all part of their insidious fifth-column +pattern.</p> + +<p>"Many top Brungarian officials have joined the plotters," Thurston +added, "and it's now becoming very difficult for anyone to enter or +leave the country."</p> + +<p> +<span class = "pagenum">28</span> +<a name = "page28"> </a> +Ames asked for information on any rebel sympathizers known to be in the +United States. Thurston was able to tell him very little.</p> + +<p>"We keep strict tabs, of course, on all Brungarians entering this +country," Thurston explained. "But even though we screen them carefully, +a rebel agent like Narko may slip in—usually on a stolen or faked +passport."</p> + +<p>When the telecast ended, Tom, Bud, and Ames discussed the news +grimly.</p> + +<p>"What if Narko has pals working with him?" Bud conjectured.</p> + +<p>"If he does," Tom said, "they may try carrying through Narko's +mission."</p> + +<p>"I'll station extra guards around the outer wall on twenty-four-hour +alert," Ames promised.</p> + +<p>Tom approved this measure wholeheartedly, but the purpose of Narko's +secret mission remained a mystery. Why had he tried to force his way +into Enterprises? What was he after? There was little hope of resolving +these questions, since United States Intelligence had learned of the +rebel movement itself only within the past few days. Thurston had asked +Tom and his companions to treat the information as confidential.</p> + +<p>"I'd better get back to work," Tom decided after Bud and Ames had +left his office. Tom sat down at his drawing board and began to sketch +out some rough ideas for a vehicle to house the "brain energy" from +space.</p> + +<p> +<span class = "pagenum">29</span> +<a name = "page29"> </a> +Tom wondered if the brain would be able to perform actions by itself, +given the proper mechanical output devices. Or would he have to help it +function via an electronic computer to digest incoming information or +stimuli and then to respond through servo controls?</p> + +<p>The problem was so baffling and complex that Tom became completely +oblivious to the passage of time. He sketched out plan after plan, only +to crumple and discard each one.</p> + +<p>Suddenly a disturbing thought jarred the young inventor out of his +concentration. Perhaps the Brungarian rebel scientists had now figured +out how to decode the radio messages from the Swifts' space friends!</p> + +<p>If so, when the brain energy was launched toward earth, they might +try to divert it to their own receiving setup!</p> + + + + +<span class = "pagenum">30</span> +<a name = "page30"> </a> +<h5 class = "left chapter"><a name = "chap_4">CHAPTER IV</a></h5> +<h4>ANOTHER TREMOR!</h4> + + +<p><span class = "firstword">Tom</span> +was appalled at this new danger. Shoving his drawing board back into its +wall slot, the young inventor hurried to his desk and made a number of +telephone calls.</p> + +<p>Within minutes, a group of five of his most trusted associates had +assembled in Tom's office. First to arrive were Bud Barclay, Ames, and +George Dilling, the Swifts' communications chief. They were joined +moments later by Hank Sterling, the square-jawed chief engineer and +trouble shooter of Enterprises, and Arvid Hanson.</p> + +<p>Hanson, a hulking six-footer, made all the delicate scale models of +Tom Jr.'s and Tom Sr.'s inventions. He was not only an expert craftsman, +but, like all the Swifts' key men, a trained aircraft and space pilot as +well.</p> + +<p>"What's up, skipper?" Bud asked.</p> + +<p> +<span class = "pagenum">31</span> +<a name = "page31"> </a> +"I guess you might call this a council of war," Tom replied.</p> + +<p>He divulged his fears that Brungarian scientists might hijack the +brain energy to be sent from Planet X, home of the Swifts' unknown space +friends.</p> + +<p>"Bud, you recall Mother's remark last night about the danger that +this energy may prove overwhelmingly powerful," Tom went on. "Well, just +suppose that our Brungarian pals fit it out in robot form, then turn it +loose against us or our friends in other countries."</p> + +<p>Bud gave an awed whistle. "Boy, a thing like that might make even a +powerful missile look like a toy!"</p> + +<p>Even if the brain energy proved too small to be harnessed for +destructive purposes, Tom went on, it might turn out to possess +superintelligence. Gifted with all the scientific know-how of the space +people, it might be made to reveal those secrets to the Brungarians.</p> + +<p>"They might learn from it how to construct weapons or space craft +powerful enough to conquer the free world!" Tom ended.</p> + +<p>His listeners were grim-faced at the thought.</p> + +<p>"I'd say that's a far worse danger than any chance of their coming up +with a robot monster," Ames said.</p> + +<p>"Ditto!" Hanson agreed.</p> + +<p> +"I think so too," Tom replied. "In any case, +<span class = "pagenum">32</span> +<a name = "page32"> </a> +it's up to us to make sure the Brungarians don't switch that energy off +course before it lands here."</p> + +<p>"Think their scientists are capable of such a stunt?" George Dilling +inquired.</p> + +<p>Tom shrugged. "They're certainly far advanced in the fields of rocket +guidance and telemetry. But actually we just don't know."</p> + +<p>Hank Sterling glanced hopefully at the young inventor. "Got any +ideas, skipper?" he asked.</p> + +<p>Tom drummed a pencil on the table thoughtfully before replying. +"Maybe our best bet is first to find out all we can about the lines of +research on which they're concentrating. That might be the tip-off."</p> + +<p>After a thorough discussion, it was decided that Ames and Dilling +would fly to Washington at once and talk to the FBI and Central +Intelligence. Their job would be to garner and piece together every +scrap of information on Brungarian scientists' accomplishments.</p> + +<p>"Let us know as soon as you get a general picture," Tom said.</p> + +<p>Ames and Dilling promised to do so, and the meeting +broke up.</p> + +<p>Feeling somewhat reassured now that a definite plan of action had +been decided upon, Tom resumed work on his sketches. Although both the +problem and the solution were still hazy in his mind, a few ideas began +to take shape.</p> + +<p> +A radio antenna would certainly be needed, to +<span class = "pagenum">33</span> +<a name = "page33"> </a> +receive or transmit signals at a distance. And repelatron units would +give the brain a way to exert force when it wanted to act. These were +devices which Tom had invented to produce a repulsion-force ray. He had +used the principle in both air and space flight.</p> + +<p>A power plant might also be needed to generate additional energy in +case the brain's own energy was very small. Lastly, there would have to +be a control system for use either by the brain itself or by its human +operators.</p> + +<p>After an hour of work at top speed, Tom was rather pleased with one +rough sketch. He was mulling over the idea when Chow Winkler and Bud +Barclay wandered into the office. Both were impressed when Tom explained +the sketch.</p> + +<p>Chow stared at it, goggle-eyed at the thought of such a contraption +"coming to life." "So that's the Ole Think Box, eh?" he muttered.</p> + +<p>Tom laughed. "Good name, Chow!"</p> + +<p>All three were startled as a voice suddenly broke in over the wall +intercom. It was the operator on duty at the plant's communication +center.</p> + +<p>"Turn on your TV, skipper," the operator suggested. "We've just had a +news bulletin that an earthquake tremor has been felt over in Medfield. +There's a big plant there that makes rocket nose cones. A mobile TV +crew's been rushed to the scene in a helicopter and they're trying to +pick up the action with a television camera."</p> + +<p> +<span class = "pagenum">34</span> +<a name = "page34"> </a> +"Good night! Another quake?" Bud gasped.</p> + +<p>Tom had already rushed to the videophone. Flicking it on, he switched +to a commercial channel. Soon a picture appeared on the screen. It was a +panoramic shot of a landscape, evidently viewed from a hovering +aircraft, with a large industrial plant just below.</p> + +<p>A TV commentator's voice was reporting developments. "Few visible +signs of a tremor," he said. "As you can see, the rocket-plant personnel +and the people of Medfield are making desperate attempts to evacuate. +Fortunately, most of them have already left the immediate area."</p> + +<p>A few cars and trucks could still be seen speeding along the +ribbonlike roads within view of the hovering television camera.</p> + +<p>"Oh—oh!" The commentator's voice broke in again. "Notice that +tall stack just over the plant—see how it's starting to +tremble!... It's beginning to crumble!... This must be it!"</p> + +<p>Suddenly the whole scene seemed to explode. Plant buildings collapsed +like toy houses built of cards, while at the same time huge rocks and +trees were uprooted as a yawning crack opened in the ground below.</p> + +<p>The three watchers in Tom's office stared in horrified dismay. But a +moment later the picture on the TV screen became jerky and distorted, +then faded out completely.</p> + +<p> +After a brief interval, a studio announcer came +<span class = "pagenum">35</span> +<a name = "page35"> </a> +on. "The relay transmitter must have been knocked out by the quake. We +return you now to our regularly scheduled program, but will keep you +informed as bulletins come in."</p> + +<p>"Great balls o' fire!" Chow gulped as Tom turned off the set. +"I sure hope all o' those poor folks in cars got away safe!"</p> + +<p>Tom rushed to a wall shelf and pulled out a book on geology. He +leafed quickly to a section dealing with known earthquake faults and the +distribution of quakes. When he looked up at the others, his face was +grim.</p> + +<p>"What's wrong, skipper?" Bud asked tensely.</p> + +<p>"That quake," Tom replied, "wasn't in a patterned zone any more than +the Faber one was!"</p> + +<p>Chow's jaw dropped open in a comic look of dismay. "You mean this +here ole earth we live on is gettin' all busted up an' twisted around +inside?"</p> + +<p>"I wish I knew, Chow!" Tom paced worriedly about the office. "It just +seems queer to me that both of those quakes should have destroyed vital +defense factories!"</p> + +<p>On a sudden impulse, Tom snatched up the telephone. His two +companions listened as he put through a call to the FBI in Washington. +Within moments, a friend at the Bureau, Wes Norris, came on the +line.</p> + +<p> +"Look, Wes," Tom said, "is there any chance this quake that just +happened at Medfield and the earlier one at Faber Electronics might have +<span class = "pagenum">36</span> +<a name = "page36"> </a> +been caused by underground H-bomb blasts?"</p> + +<p>"As a matter of fact, we're checking on that very possibility," +Norris replied. "In other words, sabotage. Things are pretty hot around +here since that news on Medfield came in, so I can't talk much right +now, Tom. But I can tell you this," Wes concluded, "we <i>are</i> +investigating, and I do mean thoroughly!"</p> + +<p>Bud and Chow were shocked when Tom reported his conversation with the +FBI agent.</p> + +<p>"Brand my rattlesnake stew!" Chow exploded. "Any ornery varmint +that'd cause an earthquake ought to be strung up like a hoss thief!"</p> + +<p>"I agree, Chow," Tom said. "But how do we find out for sure?"</p> + +<p>After closing time at the plant, Bud drove home with Tom. Both Mrs. +Swift and Sandy were upset as the boys discussed the situation.</p> + +<p>"Tom, if this was deliberate," Mrs. Swift pointed out, "Enterprises +may be next on the enemy's list!"</p> + +<p>Tom did his best to allay his mother's fears, but inwardly he himself +felt apprehensive. Any large-scale sabotage plot would be almost certain +to include Swift Enterprises, America's most daring and advanced +research center.</p> + +<p> +When his mother went upstairs to her room, Tom suggested to Bud that +they drive to the nearby State Police post. Here he confided his +<span class = "pagenum">37</span> +<a name = "page37"> </a> +fears to Captain Rock, an old friend of the Swifts.</p> + +<p>"You have some request in mind?" Captain Rock inquired.</p> + +<p>"How about making a search for any signs of suspicious digging or +underground activity in the vicinity of Shopton?" Tom said. "There would +have to be an excavation of some sort in order to set off an underground +blast."</p> + +<p>Captain Rock mulled over Tom's suggestion. "Sounds like a big job, +but I'm afraid you're right, Tom. We can't risk a similar disaster +here."</p> + +<p>"We'd better move fast, too," Bud put in. "Those two quakes so far +came only a day apart!"</p> + +<p>Rock picked up the telephone and barked out orders. Within half an +hour, several carloads of troopers were covering the outlying roads that +converged on Shopton. Firemen and Chief Slater's town police force were +also pressed into action. They would search every cellar in town for +signs of recent digging.</p> + +<p>Bud rode in one police car and Tom in another as a house-to-house +search was conducted along the highway that ran past Enterprises.</p> + +<p>At one weather-beaten house, where Bud stopped with a state trooper, +an old man came to the door.</p> + +<p>"What you fellers prowlin' around for?" he asked.</p> + +<p> +"Bomb emergency," the trooper said laconically. +<span class = "pagenum">38</span> +<a name = "page38"> </a> +"We have orders to search every house cellar for underground +openings."</p> + +<p>Grumbling, the old man let them enter. He followed them down a +rickety stairway. A moment later Bud stumbled and gave a yell. The +trooper swung around just in time to see Bud drop from view!</p> + + + + +<span class = "pagenum">39</span> +<a name = "page39"> </a> +<h5 class = "left chapter"><a name = "chap_5">CHAPTER V</a></h5> +<h4>SECRET CACHE</h4> + + +<p><span class = "firstword">As</span> +the trooper's flashlight stabbed through the cellar gloom at the spot +where Bud had disappeared, there came a loud splash! The light showed a +round hole in the floor, rimmed by a low circle of brickwork.</p> + +<p>"What's that hole?" the trooper snapped at the owner.</p> + +<p>"What does it look like?" the elderly man snapped back. "It's an old +well."</p> + +<p>"A <i>well!</i>" the trooper exclaimed as he rushed to the spot. "And +not even covered? What're you trying to do—kill people?"</p> + +<p>The old man sniffed. "Used to be covered, but the lid's gone. Didn't +expect to have a bunch of nosy fellers pokin' around down here!"</p> + +<p> +The state trooper muttered angrily under his breath as he shone his +flashlight into the well-shaft. +<span class = "pagenum">40</span> +<a name = "page40"> </a> +Bud was splashing around below, soaked and chagrined by his +accident.</p> + +<p>"Give me a hand!" he called up.</p> + +<p>The trooper reached down, but was barely able to touch Bud's finger +tips. To make matters worse, the sides of the well were slippery with +moss.</p> + +<p>"Get a rope," the trooper ordered the old man.</p> + +<p>"Ain't got one."</p> + +<p>The policeman reddened and stood up to his full six-foot-two. "Look, +mister—what's your name?"</p> + +<p>The elderly man shrank back, as if suspecting that the trooper's +patience might have been tried too far. "Ben Smith," he mumbled.</p> + +<p>"Okay, Mr. Smith, you get a rope or something else to pull this boy +out. And fast!"</p> + +<p>Ben Smith gulped on his chewing tobacco and hurried off. A minute or +so later he returned with a length of clothesline. The trooper lowered +it into the well and Bud was soon climbing out, looking like a +drenched rat.</p> + +<p>"Sorry, son," Smith said apologetically. "Guess I should have +warned ye."</p> + +<p>Bud chuckled good-naturedly. "It's all right," he said. "It was my +own fault for not watching where I was going. Besides, you can't blame +an American for not liking the idea of having his home searched."</p> + +<p> +The old man chuckled too and flashed a wary +<span class = "pagenum">41</span> +<a name = "page41"> </a> +eye at the trooper. "I'll go get ye a towel to dry off with," he +told Bud.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, Tom was investigating a house down the road with another +state trooper. The owner, a paunchy unshaven bachelor named Pete Latty, +and his seventeen-year-old nephew accompanied them to the basement.</p> + +<p>A naked light bulb, hanging from the ceiling, revealed an ancient +furnace, and an accumulation of junk. Most of it was covered with dust, +but Tom noticed a large packing crate that looked as if it had been +freshly moved. He walked over and began to shove the heavy box +aside.</p> + +<p>"What're you doing?" Latty asked gruffly.</p> + +<p>"I want to look underneath," Tom replied. A second later his eyes +widened as he saw a trap door, evidently leading to a subcellar.</p> + +<p>Tom beckoned his partner over and showed his discovery. "Where does +this lead to?" the trooper asked, turning back to Latty.</p> + +<p>"Just a little storage place," the owner replied with a shrug. +"I didn't think it was worth mentioning. You'd better not go down +there," he added hastily. "The steps ain't safe."</p> + +<p>"Just the same, we'll take a look," the trooper said.</p> + +<p>"Then do it at your own risk!" Latty snapped.</p> + +<p> +The officer pulled up the trap door and Tom shone a light down. The +shallow dirt-walled room +<span class = "pagenum">42</span> +<a name = "page42"> </a> +below was about six feet square. On the floor, at the foot of a short +rickety ladder, lay a large bundle wrapped in a tarpaulin.</p> + +<p>Tom descended the ladder cautiously and opened the tarpaulin to see +what was inside. The contents made him gasp—a large, well-oiled +collection of rifles and pistols!</p> + +<p>Looking up, Tom saw both the state trooper and Latty peering down at +him—the trooper openmouthed with surprise, Latty scowling +nervously.</p> + +<p>"Don't touch 'em!" Latty warned. "Some are loaded. I keep 'em hidden +for safety, but sometimes my nephew Fred here and I have target +practice."</p> + +<p>Just then Tom's keen eyes spotted a slip of paper tucked among the +guns. He pulled it out. His heart gave a leap of excitement as he saw +two words written on the paper—<i>Samson Narko!</i></p> + +<p>Hiding his amazement, Tom read the name aloud and added casually, +"What's this? The make of one of the guns?"</p> + +<p>"Uh, yeah—that's right," the man replied.</p> + +<p>Without comment, Tom climbed out of the subcellar. As he bent down to +drop the trap door, Tom flashed the officer a signal. Instantly the +trooper grabbed Latty.</p> + +<p> +"Hey! Why the rough stuff?" the prisoner exclaimed. Then, as he realized +the officer was about to handcuff him, the man's face turned pasty +<span class = "pagenum">43</span> +<a name = "page43"> </a> +white. He pulled free from the trooper's grasp and bolted toward the +stairway. His nephew stood as if paralyzed at the sudden turn of +events.</p> + +<p>Latty's attempt at flight was hopeless. Tom quickly brought him down +with a flying tackle.</p> + +<p> +<span class = "picture"> +<img src = "images/pic43.jpg" width = "342" height = "356" +alt = "(Tom finds Latty's store of weapons)"></span> +Later, after Latty had been manacled, Tom helped him up. "In case you +don't know it," the young inventory said coldly, "your friend Narko is +in jail, so you may as well talk. What's the pitch?"</p> + +<p> +<span class = "pagenum">44</span> +<a name = "page44"> </a> +Latty was trembling and still pale. "I—I d-didn't know there'd be +any trouble with the cops or I'd never have done it," he quavered. +"Narko offered me some dough to hide the guns. I needed money, so I took +him up. That's all there was to it."</p> + +<p>"How long have you known this Narko?" Tom asked.</p> + +<p>"I met him a few days ago in a restaurant. Believe me, I'd never laid +eyes on him before. And I wish I never had!" Latty added bitterly.</p> + +<p>The man's story had a ring of truth. "All right, Officer, let's take +him in," Tom said. To the still-astounded Fred, he added, "We're sorry +about this."</p> + +<p>Two hours later Tom and Bud sat in Chief Slater's office at Shopton +police headquarters. Captain Rock and the Shopton fire chief were also +on hand.</p> + +<p>"We've had troopers, detectives, and fire inspectors swarming all +over Latty's place," Captain Rock reported. "They examined his house, +the garage, two sheds out back, and every inch of the grounds. But +there's no indication of any place where a bomb might have been planted +to cause an underground explosion in Shopton."</p> + +<p>The fire chief nodded confirmation. "So that clue peters out," he +said.</p> + +<p> +With the waning of daylight, the other groups had finally abandoned +their search of the Shopton +<span class = "pagenum">45</span> +<a name = "page45"> </a> +area without turning up any information. "I'll notify the FBI +immediately," Chief Slater said.</p> + +<p>Nevertheless, he promised that his men would continue their efforts +the next day.</p> + +<p>"Even if we find nothing more, that arms cache was worth all the +trouble," Slater added. "The country owes you a vote of thanks, Tom. A +bunch of enemy agents could have hurt a lot of people with an arsenal +like that!"</p> + +<p>"That's for sure," Captain Rock agreed. "It was a good day's +haul, Tom."</p> + +<p>The two boys drove back to the Swift home and had a quick shower. Bud +borrowed clean clothes from Tom. Then they sat down to enjoy a warmed-up +but tasty supper, served by Sandy and Mrs. Swift.</p> + +<p>As they ate, the boys listened to music on the radio, interspersed +with eager questions from Sandy about the bomb search.</p> + +<p>Suddenly the radio announcer broke in. "We interrupt this broadcast +to bring you an important news bulletin!"</p> + + + + +<span class = "pagenum">46</span> +<a name = "page46"> </a> +<h5 class = "left chapter"><a name = "chap_6">CHAPTER VI</a></h5> +<h4>BRUNGARIAN COUP</h4> + + +<p><span class = "firstword">Tom,</span> +Sandy, and Bud listened as the radio announcer continued:</p> + +<p>"Reports just in say that Brungaria has been taken over by a rebel +group. Military aid to support the rebel coup is pouring in from +Maurevia, Brungaria's powerful province in the north. The Brungarian +prime minister, his cabinet, and all loyal administrative personnel have +fled or been arrested.</p> + +<p>"Worried United States State Department officials admit that the +surprise coup poses a new and dangerous threat to free-world security. +Further news reports will be broadcast as soon as they reach this +station," the announcer ended.</p> + +<p>For a moment Tom and Bud were too stunned to speak. Sandy was +wide-eyed with the realization that the news spelled trouble for Swift +Enterprises and all America.</p> + +<p> +<span class = "pagenum">47</span> +<a name = "page47"> </a> +"Looks as though that CIA man who briefed us wasn't kidding, eh, +skipper?" Bud muttered at last.</p> + +<p>"It came sooner than he expected!" Tom said.</p> + +<p>Jumping up from the table, Tom switched off the radio and hurried to +the hall telephone. In a few moments he managed to get a long-distance +call through to Wes Norris of the FBI.</p> + +<p>"Is the news on this Brungarian coup as bad as it sounds, Wes?" Tom +inquired.</p> + +<p>"Worse! That rebel bunch really has it in for us, as you know, Tom," +Norris replied. "They envy America and they'll move heaven and earth to +steal our scientific secrets. This could touch off a whole epidemic of +sabotage and other spy activity!"</p> + +<p>Tom's jaw clenched grimly. He then asked the FBI man his opinion +about the discovery of the secret arms cache in Pete Latty's +basement.</p> + +<p>Norris admitted he was puzzled. "It doesn't add up, Tom," the FBI +agent said thoughtfully. "If our enemies were planning to destroy +Shopton by a quake, why would anyone be needing a gun?"</p> + +<p>"I can't figure it myself, Wes—unless they were planning to +raid and loot Enterprises after the place was thrown into disorder," Tom +deduced. "What about Narko himself? Has he talked yet?"</p> + +<p>Norris replied that although he had not interviewed Narko himself, +FBI agents who had grilled the spy had failed to elicit any +information.</p> + +<p> +<span class = "pagenum">48</span> +<a name = "page48"> </a> +"Here's something else, though, which might interest you," Norris went +on. "We now have reports that at the time of the Harkness and Medfield +disasters, seismographs recorded simultaneous quakes off the coast of +Alaska near the Aleutian chain. Tremors were also felt off the southwest +coast of South America."</p> + +<p>A new factor to consider! Tom frowned in puzzlement as he hung up the +telephone after completing his talk with the FBI man.</p> + +<p>After Tom had repeated the conversation to his companions, Bud said, +"You mean the H-bomb idea goes out the window?"</p> + +<p>Tom shrugged. "Wes says they've found no evidence to support the +theory of man-produced underground blasts. It just doesn't jibe with +those other remote tremors. They'd be too much of a coincidence, +happening at the same time!"</p> + +<p>"Then the quakes at Harkness and Medfield were real earthquakes!" +Sandy put in.</p> + +<p>"Looks that way," Tom admitted. "Those other tremors Wes mentioned +follow a natural circum-Pacific belt which is well known to +seismologists. I'm no expert, but perhaps they could have set off chain +reactions below the earth's crust which triggered the two quakes in this +part of the country."</p> + +<p> +In that case, the young inventor reflected, it was only a freak of +nature that the Faber and nose-cone factories had been wrecked by the +shock. But in +<span class = "pagenum">49</span> +<a name = "page49"> </a> +spite of the seismographic clues, Tom was not entirely convinced. A +nagging doubt still buzzed in the back of his mind.</p> + +<p>The next morning Tom hurried off to his private glass-walled +laboratory at Enterprises, eager to continue work on his container, or +robot body, for the brain from space.</p> + +<p>Tom frowned as he studied the rough sketch he had drawn in his office +the afternoon before. "This setup's full of bugs!" he muttered.</p> + +<p>Nevertheless, Tom decided, the basic idea was sound. Grabbing pencil +and slide rule, he began to dash off page after page of diagrams and +equations.</p> + +<p>"Chow down!" boomed a foghorn voice. Chow Winkler, wearing a white +chef's hat, wheeled a lunch cart into the lab.</p> + +<p>"Oh... thanks." Tom scarcely looked up from his work as the cook set +out an appetizing meal of Texas hash, milk, and deep-dish apple pie on +the bench beside the young inventor's papers. Grumbling under his +breath, Chow sauntered out.</p> + +<p>Tom went on working intently between mouthfuls. In another hour he +finished a set of pilot drawings. Then he called Hank Sterling and Arvid +Hanson and asked them to come to the laboratory.</p> + +<p>They listened with keen interest as Tom explained his latest +creation.</p> + +<p> +<span class = "pagenum">50</span> +<a name = "page50"> </a> +"No telling if it will work when the energy arrives from space," Tom +said, "but I think everything tracks okay. Hank, get these plans +blueprinted and assign an electronics group to the project. You'd better +handle the hardware yourself."</p> + +<p>"Right." Hank rolled up the sketches.</p> + +<p>"And, Arv," Tom went on, "I'd like a scale model made to guide them +on assembly. How soon can you have it?"</p> + +<p>Hanson promised the model for some time the next day, and the two men +hurried off.</p> + +<p>As usual, Arv proved slightly better than his word. The expert +modelmaker was devoted to his craft and as apt to forget the clock as +Tom himself, when absorbed in a new project. By working on in his shop +long after closing hours, Hanson had a desk-size model of the +space-brain robot ready for Tom's inspection when the young inventor +arrived at the plant early the following morning.</p> + +<p>"Wonderful, Arv!" Tom approved. "Every time I see one of your models +of a new invention, I'm <i>sure</i> it'll work!" Hanson grinned, pleased +at the compliment.</p> + +<p>Tom hopped into a jeep and sped across the plant grounds to deliver +the model to Hank Sterling and his project crew. Work was already well +along on the electronic subassemblies and the strange-looking "body" was +taking shape.</p> + +<p> +<span class = "pagenum">51</span> +<a name = "page51"> </a> +That afternoon Ames and Dilling returned from Washington. The report +they gave to Tom bore out his hunch that the rebel Brungarian scientists +might well be able to divert the space energy.</p> + +<p>The next day was Friday. Tom was hoping, although none too +optimistically, that the container might be completed before the week +end. To his delight, an Enterprises pickup truck pulled up outside the +laboratory later that afternoon and Hank rolled the queer-looking device +inside.</p> + +<p>"Hi, buster!" Tom greeted it. "Is this your daddy?"</p> + +<p>Hank chuckled. "Don't look at me. It claims <i>you're</i> its daddy. +But hanged if I can see much resemblance!"</p> + +<p>"Think it'll live?"</p> + +<p>"If not," Hank replied, only half jokingly, "the boys who worked on +it will sure be disappointed. No kidding, skipper, that's quite a gadget +you dreamed up!"</p> + +<p>The device stood about shoulder-high, with a star-shaped head, one +point of which could be opened. The head would contain the actual brain +energy. Its upper body, cylindrical in shape and of gleaming chrome, +housed the output units through which the brain would react, and also +the controls. Antennas projecting out on either side gave the look of +arms.</p> + +<p> +Its "waist" was girdled with a ring of repelatron +<span class = "pagenum">52</span> +<a name = "page52"> </a> +radiators for exerting a repulsion force when it wanted to move, by +repelling itself away from nearby objects.</p> + +<p>Below the repelatrons was an hourglass-shaped power unit, housing a +solar-charged battery.</p> + +<p>The power unit, in turn, was mounted on a pancake-shaped +transportation unit. This unit was equipped with both casters and a sort +of caterpillar-crawler arrangement for the contrivance to get about over +obstacles. Inside was a gyro-stabilizer to keep the whole device +upright.</p> + +<p>Tom felt a glow of pride—and eager impatience—as he +inspected the device. If it worked as he hoped, this odd creature might +one day provide earth scientists with a priceless store of information +about intelligent life on Planet X!</p> + +<p>Bud and Chow, entering the laboratory soon after Hank Sterling had +left, found Tom still engrossed in his thoughts.</p> + +<p>"Wow! Is this your spaceman?" Bud inquired.</p> + +<p>Tom nodded, then grinned at his callers' gaping expressions. Each was +trying to imagine how the "thing" would look in action.</p> + +<p>"Sure is a queer-lookin' buckaroo!" Chow commented, when Tom finished +explaining how it was supposed to work.</p> + +<p> +On a sudden impulse, the old cowpoke took off his ten-gallon hat and +plumped it on the creature. Then he removed his polka-dotted red +bandanna +<span class = "pagenum">53</span> +<a name = "page53"> </a> +and knotted it like a neckerchief just below the star head.</p> + +<p>Tom laughed heartily as Bud howled, "Ride 'em, spaceman!"</p> + +<p>Tom was eager to notify his mysterious space friends that the +container was now ready to receive the brain energy. Bud went with him +by jeep to the space-communications laboratory. Chow, however, stayed +behind and stared in fascination at the odd-looking robot creature.</p> + +<p>The stout cook walked back and forth, eying the thing suspiciously +from every angle. "Wonder what the critter eats?" he muttered.</p> + +<p>Feeling in his shirt pocket, Chow brought out a wad of his favorite +bubble gum. Should he or shouldn't he? "Shucks, won't hurt to try," the +old Texan decided.</p> + +<p>Chow unlocked the hinged point of the star head and popped the gum +inside. He was somewhat disappointed when nothing happened. Feeling a +trifle foolish, Chow finally removed his hat and bandanna from the +creature and stumped off.</p> + +<p> +Meanwhile, in the space-communications laboratory, Tom was pounding out +a message on the keyboard of the electronic brain. Tom had invented this +device for automatically coding and decoding messages between the Swifts +and their space friends. It was connected to a powerful +transmitting-and-receiving apparatus, served by a +<span class = "pagenum">54</span> +<a name = "page54"> </a> +huge radio-telescope antenna mounted atop the communications +building.</p> + +<p>Bud looked on as Tom signaled:</p> + +<blockquote> +TOM SWIFT TO SPACE FRIENDS. CONTAINER FOR ENERGY IS NOW READY. SHOULD IT +BE PLACED OUTDOORS? +</blockquote> + +<p class = "space"> +Stirred by a worrisome afterthought, Tom added:</p> + +<blockquote> +MESSAGES MAY BE INTERCEPTED BY ENEMY WHO WISHES TO STEAL ENERGY. SUGGEST +YOU USE FLIGHT PATH TO LAND EXACTLY TWO MILES WEST OF FIRST CONTACT WITH +US. +</blockquote> + +<p class = "space"> +"By 'first contact,' you mean when that black missile landed at +Enterprises?" Bud asked.</p> + +<p>Tom nodded. At that time, he reminded Bud, the Brungarians and their +conquerors had not yet learned of the Swifts' communication from another +planet. Hence they would have no idea of the site referred +to—which would hamper any plans to kidnap the brain energy.</p> + +<p>"I get it," Bud said. "Smart idea, pal!"</p> + +<p>Tensely the two boys waited for a reply from outer space.</p> + + + + +<span class = "pagenum">55</span> +<a name = "page55"> </a> +<h5 class = "left chapter"><a name = "chap_7">CHAPTER VII</a></h5> +<h4>WALL OF WATER!</h4> + + +<p><span class = "firstword">Minutes</span> +went by before the signal bell rang on the electronic brain. Both Tom +and Bud dashed over to the machine as it began to spell out the incoming +message on tape:</p> + +<blockquote> +ENERGY WILL COME TO THE SPOT YOU SUGGESTED. WE CAN CONTROL FLIGHT COURSE +BUT WHILE THE ENERGY IS ON EARTH YOU WILL BE IN CHARGE. WE WILL HAVE NO +CONTROL FOR TWENTY-ONE DAYS. THEN WE WILL RECALL ENERGY TO BRING US +IMPRESSIONS AND DATA OF YOUR WORLD. +</blockquote> + +<p class = "space"> +The two boys stared at each other excitedly as the transmission +ended.</p> + +<p>"Wow!" Bud murmured. "If Planet X is a peaceful place, Ole Think Box +is sure in for a jolt here on earth!"</p> + + +<p> +<span class = "pagenum">56</span> +<a name = "page56"> </a> +Tom grinned fleetingly at the reference to Chow's nickname for the robot +creature. Then he became serious, knowing that Bud's words were all too +true. The space visitor might also take back impressions of the +suffering and warlike threats that some earth countries inflict on one +another. Maybe one day, Tom reflected, it would be different.</p> + +<p>In the meantime, the young inventor realized he had an awesome +responsibility. He must not only make the best use of the brain energy +during its stay on earth, but also keep it from falling into the hands +of treacherous Brungarian plotters.</p> + +<p>Tom's thoughts were suddenly interrupted by the sound of girls' +voices. Sandy and Phyl were standing in the doorway of the +space-communications laboratory.</p> + +<p>"Talk about deep thinkers!" Sandy said teasingly.</p> + +<p>"Goodness, we had no idea we'd be interrupting a session of the brain +trust," Phyl added with a mischievous sparkle in her brown eyes. "Maybe +we should go away again, Sandy!"</p> + +<p>"Hey! Hold it, you two!" Bud exclaimed. "What do you think, +Tom—are these the visitors we've been expecting from outer +space?"</p> + +<p>"Well! I like that!" Sandy pouted. "Do we look like a couple of +little green people?"</p> + +<p> +Tom chuckled and seized the opportunity to do a little teasing of his +own. "I think it's just your +<span class = "pagenum">57</span> +<a name = "page57"> </a> +pointed heads that fooled us, Sis." Then, as the two girls broke down in +laughter, he added, "Why the unexpected visit?"</p> + +<p>Sandy and Phyl explained that they had come to invite the boys to a +picnic cruise on Lake Carlopa the next day.</p> + +<p>"And while we're here, since it's practically quitting time anyhow," +Sandy went on, her blue eyes twinkling, "we might even let you drive us +some place for dinner."</p> + +<p>"Guess they've trapped us, Bud," Tom said with a grin. "Okay, it's a +deal. But first we have something to show you." He took the girls to his +laboratory to show them the robot creature.</p> + +<p>"It's marvelous!" Sandy exclaimed, and Phyl agreed.</p> + +<p>Early the next morning Bud called for Tom and Sandy in his tomato-red +convertible. Then they stopped at the Newtons' house to pick up Phyl. +Each girl had packed a picnic basket for the day's sail.</p> + +<p>"Hmm. Looks as though we're going to be well fed," Bud commented +jokingly. "What's on the menu, girls?"</p> + +<p>"Chicken and ham sandwiches..." Sandy began.</p> + +<p>"Pickles, olives, hard-boiled eggs, potato salad..." Phyl +went on.</p> + +<p>"Chocolate cake, milk..." Sandy took up the list.</p> + +<p> +<span class = "pagenum">58</span> +<a name = "page58"> </a> +"Stop! You have us hungry as bears already!" Tom warned.</p> + +<p>"Right!" Bud agreed. "Come on! Let's get this cruise under way!"</p> + +<p>The two couples drove to the Shopton Yacht Club dock on Lake Carlopa. +There they boarded the <i>Sunspot</i>, a beautiful thirty-foot sailing +ketch with auxiliary engine which Mr. Swift and Mr. Newton had purchased +for a frequently promised but not yet realized joint family +vacation.</p> + +<p>The craft was equipped with twin gravitex stabilizers, mounted one on +each side of the hull. These gave it amazing smoothness even when +plowing through rough seas. They were adaptations of a device Tom had +invented for his space kite and <i>Cosmic Sailer</i>.</p> + +<p>"Oh, what a gorgeous day for a sail!" Phyl said, aglow with +enthusiasm.</p> + +<p>The sky was a cloudless blue. Under a hot summer sun, a brisk breeze +was ruffling the lake into tiny whitecaps. The two couples cast off +eagerly and were soon scudding out across the water under full sail.</p> + +<p> +Tom and Bud wore <ins class = "correction" title = +"text reads 'swiming'">swimming</ins> trunks under their slacks. +Unfortunately the girls had forgotten to bring their suits. When the +<i>Sunspot</i> reached the center of the lake, the boys hove to, +stripped down to their trunks, and dived overboard. Meanwhile, the girls +sun-bathed on deck. Soon it was time for +<span class = "pagenum">59</span> +<a name = "page59"> </a> +the picnic lunch, and all four ate with healthy young appetites.</p> + +<p>"Jeepers!" Sandy whispered to Phyl with a giggle. "After a feast like +this, we'll have to go on a diet!"</p> + +<p>"Don't say it," Phyl warned, "or Tom and Bud will use that as an +excuse for never taking us out ag—"</p> + +<p>She broke off with a gasp.</p> + +<p>"What's wrong?" Tom asked.</p> + +<p>Breathless with fright, Phyl pointed off to starboard. The others +paled. An enormous wave was sweeping across the lake, straight toward +the ketch!</p> + +<p>"Jumpin' jets!" Bud gulped. "It's like a tidal wave!"</p> + +<p>The boat was already rocking under the swells that preceded the +oncoming huge breaker.</p> + +<p>"Quick!" Tom yelled. "Grab life jackets while I start the +engine!"</p> + +<p>The four leaped into action. Every instant the terrifying wave rushed +closer! By now it was a twelve-foot wall of water!</p> + +<p>Tom and the others had just put on the jackets and the engine had +barely gunned into life when disaster struck. The mammoth wave swept up +the <i>Sunspot</i> and heeled it far over into the trough like a toy +bark. The next instant a cataract of water poured over the deck with +stunning force!</p> + +<p> +<span class = "pagenum">60</span> +<a name = "page60"> </a> +"We're going under!" Phyl screamed.</p> + +<p>All four were swept overboard in the maelstrom! Under the smashing +impact of the water, the ketch's mainmast bent and groaned. A moment +later came a crack like a gunshot. The mast broke off, hung teetering by +shreds, then toppled into the water. As it fell, the mast struck Sandy a +grazing blow on the head!</p> + +<p>"Sandy!" Bud cried fearfully as he struggled in the swirling +torrent.</p> + +<p>Calling on every ounce of strength, he swam with powerful strokes +toward the girl. Sandy was dazed and limp. Bud's husky arm circled her +tightly. Then he began to fight his way toward shore. Tom and +Phyl—each struggling in the turbulent water—could only +breathe a prayer of thanks as they watched the rescue.</p> + +<p class = "illustration"> +<img src = "images/pic60_61.jpg" width = "561" height = "206" +alt = "(a huge wave capsizes the Sunspot)"></p> + +<p> +<span class = "pagenum">61</span> +<a name = "page61"> </a> +As the huge wave raced shoreward, the lake water gradually became calmer +in its wake. Tom was able to assist Phyl, and Sandy by now had recovered +her faculties.</p> + +<p>The <i>Sunspot</i> had capsized but could still be seen afloat, some +distance away. Rather than swim to it and cling to the hulk in the hope +that a rescue boat would arrive, the four decided to continue on toward +shore. They knew that the aftermath of the tidal wave would keep all +shore facilities in an uproar for hours to come.</p> + +<p>As they neared the beach, the young people could see other overturned +craft and heads bobbing in the water. A few daring persons finally began +putting out in motorboats and rowboats to pick up the survivors.</p> + +<p>A hundred yards from shore, one of the boats +<span class = "pagenum">62</span> +<a name = "page62"> </a> +took Tom's group aboard. Minutes later, they were scrambling out onto a +dock.</p> + +<p>"Are you all right, Sandy?" Bud asked, his arm still +around her.</p> + +<p>"I—I think so," she gasped weakly, "but I must have swallowed +half the lake!"</p> + +<p>"Take it easy, Sis!" Tom added, as Sandy swayed and shuddered from +the shock of her recent ordeal.</p> + +<p>Gently he made Sandy lie down and pillowed her head on a folded +tarpaulin provided by the sympathetic boatman. Phyl, though wan and +white-faced, was in somewhat better shape.</p> + +<p>"Tom, we must get these girls home as soon as possible," Bud +declared.</p> + +<p>This, however, was not easily accomplished. The tidal wave had caused +devastation along the entire shore front. Many docks had been wrecked, +boats splintered like matchsticks, and buildings along the water +smashed.</p> + +<p>When Tom's group reached Bud's convertible, parked near the yacht +club pier, they found the car completely waterlogged. Its electrical +system gave not even a faint sputter or spark.</p> + +<p>"Oh, fine!" Bud groaned. "The crowning touch!"</p> + +<p> +Eventually ambulances and private cars began to arrive to transport the +injured. Tom, Bud, and the two girls were given a lift to the Swift home +<span class = "pagenum">63</span> +<a name = "page63"> </a> +where Sandy and Phyl were immediately put to bed by a worried Mrs. +Swift.</p> + +<p>Downstairs, Tom switched on the TV set. A mobile camera crew from the +local station was scanning the water front and interviewing witnesses of +the disaster. To the two boys, the most interesting note came in a +statement by the announcer that a very slight earth tremor had been felt +in Shopton.</p> + +<p>"But no damage occurred except along the water front," the announcer +explained.</p> + +<p>Tom gave a snort of anger, jumped up from his chair, and began pacing +about the living room. "Bud, I feel sure that wall of water was caused +by a minor earthquake!" the young inventor declared. "What's more, I'll +bet it was <i>man-made!</i>"</p> + +<p>Bud stared at his friend, appalled but feeling a hot surge of anger +himself. "If you're right, pal, it's the most fiendish sabotage I've +ever heard of! Think of all the lives that were endangered!"</p> + +<p>Tom nodded grimly. "I <i>am</i> thinking!"</p> + +<p>Both boys jerked around to look at the TV set again as a studio +announcer's voice suddenly broke into the telecast:</p> + +<p>"Flash! A severe quake has occurred at the headquarters of the +American Archives Foundation, a hundred miles from Shopton. The +Foundation's buildings, containing many priceless government and +scientific documents, were badly damaged, +<span class = "pagenum">64</span> +<a name = "page64"> </a> +and an underground microfilm vault was utterly destroyed. Apparently +this quake was part of the tremor felt here at Shopton."</p> + +<p>Within minutes the Swifts' home phone began jangling constantly. Some +calls were from friends, others from strangers. Many of the calls were +routed through from the Enterprises switchboard.</p> + +<p>One was from Dan Perkins of the <i>Shopton Bulletin</i>. "What about +it, Tom?" the editor demanded. "I guess you know by now the +public's aroused and in a state of near panic over all these quakes. +What they all want to know is this: are you, Tom Swift, going to find a +way to stop all this destruction?"</p> + +<p>Tom's jaw jutted out angrily. "Yes, I am!" he snapped. "And you can +quote me on that!"</p> + + + + +<span class = "pagenum">65</span> +<a name = "page65"> </a> +<h5 class = "left chapter"><a name = "chap_8">CHAPTER VIII</a></h5> +<h4>A SUSPECT TALKS</h4> + + +<p><span class = "firstword">The</span> +next morning Tom was up at the crack of dawn, grimly determined to find +an answer to the earthquake menace. He ate a hasty breakfast, then drove +to his private laboratory at Enterprises. He instructed the switchboard +operator to shut off all incoming calls, then plunged into a study of +the mystifying problem.</p> + +<p>Earthquake activity, Tom knew, tends to occur in circular patterns, +like bands around the earth—for instance, the circum-Pacific belt, +and another belt extending eastward from the Mediterranean through Asia +and on into the East Indies. Often these quake lines are visible as +breaks or ruptures along the ground surface, called <i>fault traces</i>. +No doubt, Tom thought, there were many more uncharted ones.</p> + +<p>Could an enemy scientist be making use of these earth faults to +produce a man-made quake? Tom mulled over the disturbing idea.</p> + +<p> +<span class = "pagenum">66</span> +<a name = "page66"> </a> +"How would I tackle the job myself, if I had to undertake such a project +for national defense?" the young inventor mused. He felt a growing sense +of excitement as an idea began to take shape in his mind.</p> + +<p><i>What about an artificial shock wave!</i></p> + +<p>An hour later Bud Barclay walked into the laboratory and found Tom +hunched over a jumbled pile of reference books on his workbench.</p> + +<p>"What cooks, skipper?" Bud asked.</p> + +<p>Tom looked up<ins class = "correction" title = "text reads '. '">, +</ins>his blue eyes blazing. "Bud, I think I may have the answer!"</p> + +<p>Tom got up from his stool and paced about the laboratory. "Suppose +the Brungarian rebel scientists have invented some sort of shock-wave +producer—a device for sending vibrations through the earth's crust +or the mantle underneath."</p> + +<p>"Okay, suppose they have," Bud replied.</p> + +<p>Tom snatched up a piece of chalk and made some quick diagrams on a +blackboard. "Just this, pal. Let's say they set up two or three stations +around the world for sending out such waves in a definite direction. +Wherever the wave crosses an earth fault or another +wave—<i>boom!</i> An earthquake!"</p> + +<p>Bud stared. "No kidding, is that how those rats triggered off all +these quakes?"</p> + +<p>"It must be," Tom declared. "It's the only possible explanation."</p> + +<p> +<span class = "pagenum">67</span> +<a name = "page67"> </a> +"Good night!" Bud gasped weakly. "What a weapon! Just push a button +every so often and you could blow up another country bit by +bit—and no one could ever prove who was behind the attack!"</p> + +<p>Tom nodded. "Enough to make every American shiver, if he only +knew!"</p> + +<p>"What can we do about it?" Bud asked.</p> + +<p>Tom resumed his worried pacing. "I'll have to invent a shock-wave +deflector, Bud. It must be done in a hurry, too. Our enemy may start to +destroy American cities as well as vital defense plants!"</p> + +<p>Immediately Tom put through an urgent call to an eminent scientist in +Washington who was a member of the National Research Council. Quickly he +outlined a plan.</p> + +<p>"Tom, I'll talk to the president's special science adviser at once," +the man promised. "I'll try to set up a meeting for ten o'clock tomorrow +morning at Enterprises."</p> + +<p>Feeling relieved, Tom left the plant with Bud. The two boys drove off +to attend church with Mrs. Swift and Sandy. Then, after the Sunday +midday meal, Tom returned to his laboratory to work on ideas for a +shock-wave deflector.</p> + +<p>Bud and Sandy, meanwhile, drove to the Shopton Yacht Club to inspect +the damage to the <i>Sunspot</i>. Tom had arranged with a salvage crew +to tow the disabled ketch back to its slip.</p> + +<p> +<span class = "pagenum">68</span> +<a name = "page68"> </a> +Monday morning, a sleek Air Force jet transport touched down at Swift +Enterprises. Aboard were a select group of top government scientists. +Tom and Bud greeted them as they disembarked on the runway, then drove +them to a conference room in the Enterprises main building.</p> + +<p>"I'd say your theory is right, Tom, about the quakes being produced +by artificial shock waves," said Bernt Ahlgren, a tall, hawk-faced man +with a shock of red hair. He was a member of the Defense Department's +Advanced Research Projects Agency. "But how do we stop them?"</p> + +<p>"I believe they can be damped out by opposing waves," Tom replied. +"This is assuming that I can design the right sort of equipment to do +the job—and also that we can set up a warning system to alert us +of the enemy shock waves in time." The young inventor sketched out the +sort of shock-wave deflector which he had in mind. The government +experts were very much impressed. In the session that followed, the +visiting scientists contributed many tips and suggestions. Tom noted +them down gratefully.</p> + +<p>After a thorough discussion, it was agreed that the Defense +Department would set up detectors at fifty check points around the +country. Tom would choose the exact spots. Detection data from the check +points would be fed to an electronic computer. The computer would +establish the pattern, if any, of incoming enemy shock waves.</p> + +<p> +<span class = "pagenum">69</span> +<a name = "page69"> </a> +Dr. Gregg Miles, a seismologist from the Bureau of Mines, agreed to take +on the job of setting up the check points.</p> + +<p>"Thanks for your prompt co-operation," Tom said, smiling gratefully +as the meeting broke up.</p> + +<p>"We should thank you, Tom, for coming up with a plan to cope with +this fiendish threat," Ahlgren replied. The others heartily agreed.</p> + +<p>Shortly after lunch, Tom was hard at work in his laboratory when the +telephone rang. It was Chief Slater at Shopton police headquarters.</p> + +<p>"You'd better get over here fast, Tom," Slater said. "Samson Narko is +ready to talk!"</p> + +<p>Tom needed no urging. "Right, Chief!"</p> + +<p>As he drove into Shopton, Tom wondered what the Brungarian agent +would reveal. Was it possible that he might tip off the whole secret +behind the destructive man-made earthquakes?</p> + +<p>Chief Slater was waiting in his office. "Narko showed signs of +cracking this morning," Slater told Tom, "so I notified the Central +Intelligence Agency. They're flying a man up here—in fact he +should be here by now. Narko won't talk till he arrives."</p> + +<p>"How come?" Tom asked.</p> + +<p>"Narko wants a bargain," Slater explained. "If the government will +promise to deport him at once without trial, he'll spill what he +knows."</p> + +<p> +Tom whistled. "I sure wouldn't want to be in <i>his</i> shoes when he +gets back to Brungaria! His +<span class = "pagenum">70</span> +<a name = "page70"> </a> +bosses aren't stupid. They'll know he must have made a deal to get off +scot free!"</p> + +<p>Just then a taxi from the airport pulled up outside police +headquarters, and the CIA official was ushered into Slater's office. He +proved to be John Thurston.</p> + +<p>"Narko's waiting in his cell," Slater said, after an exchange of +handshakes. "Let's hope he hasn't changed his mind."</p> + +<p>The Brungarian spy rose from his cot as the turnkey unlocked his cell +door.</p> + +<p>"You are from Washington, eh?" Narko said to Thurston. "Very well. I +presume the police have told you my offer. Is it a bargain?"</p> + +<p>Thurston was poker-faced. "You know the penalty for spying!" he +snapped. "In your own country it would mean death. Why should we let +you off?"</p> + +<p>Narko's calmness evaporated. Beads of sweat burst out on his +forehead.</p> + +<p>"I have done no harm and I know little or nothing of my superiors' +plans!" the spy said excitedly. "Why should I lie to you with my life at +stake? After all, I am only an insignificant agent. But one important +thing I do know—and this I will reveal if you promise to deport me +at once!"</p> + +<p>Thurston eyed him coldly. "Very well," the CIA man decided. "You have +my word."</p> + +<p> +<span class = "pagenum">71</span> +<a name = "page71"> </a> +Narko sat down on his cot, breathing heavily. Then he looked up at the +three Americans. "Your nation's capital, Washington, D.C., is going to +be blown up!" the Brungarian asserted.</p> + +<p>His words struck like a bombshell. Chief Slater and John Thurston +stared at Narko in open-mouthed astonishment.</p> + +<p>Then Slater scowled. "What a preposterous story! I suppose they're +going to fly a plane over and drop an atom bomb—just like that!" +He snapped his fingers.</p> + +<p>Thurston was also inclined to doubt Narko's story. Any such bold move +by the Brungarians, he declared, would amount to an act of war.</p> + +<p>"It is the truth!" Narko shouted. "Do not forget—you have made +a promise."</p> + +<p>Tom Swift did not share Chief Slater's and Thurston's skepticism. +Narko's words had chilled him with dismay. He called the other two aside +and gave them a quick whispered briefing on the theory he had discussed +with the government scientists, asking them to keep it confidential.</p> + +<p>If the Brungarians indeed had a means of producing artificial shock +waves, Tom pointed out, they could easily destroy Washington without the +slightest risk to themselves.</p> + +<p> +Both Thurston and Chief Slater were alarmed. Turning back to Narko, they +grilled him for clues. But it seemed obvious that the Brungarian was +<span class = "pagenum">72</span> +<a name = "page72"> </a> +telling all he knew—or, at any rate, all he intended to +reveal.</p> + +<p>"We're wasting our time," Thurston said finally, with a look of +disgust. "But I made a promise in the name of the United States +government and the promise will be kept."</p> + +<p>Turning to Chief Slater, the CIA man added, "Turn him over to the FBI +and have them take him to New York. I'll arrange for a seat on the first +plane for Brungaria."</p> + +<p>Tom drove back thoughtfully to Enterprises. Bud was waiting in his +laboratory with news.</p> + +<p>"Your dad went from Washington to Fearing Island and has gone up to +your space outpost," Bud reported. "He has to do some experiments for +the government project he's working on."</p> + +<p>The outpost was a space station which Tom Swift Jr. had built 22,300 +miles above the earth. It was a production factory for his famous solar +batteries, and also an immensely valuable setup for space research and +exploration.</p> + +<p>"Think I'll radio Dad and let him know what's going on," Tom decided. +"He may have some good suggestions. He usually does!"</p> + +<p>Tom warmed up his private transmitter-receiver and beamed out a code +call through the automatic scrambler. Seconds later, the loud-speaker +crackled in response.</p> + +<p>But just as the outpost operator's voice came through, the radio set +exploded in Tom's face!</p> + + + + +<span class = "pagenum">73</span> +<a name = "page73"> </a> +<h5 class = "left chapter"><a name = "chap_9">CHAPTER IX</a></h5> +<h4>THE CAVE MONSTER</h4> + + +<p><span class = "firstword">"Skipper!"</span> +Bud cried anxiously as Tom staggered back, his hands to his face.</p> + +<p>"I'm all right—no harm done," Tom assured his friend.</p> + +<p>Both boys were a bit shaken by the accident, nevertheless. Chow came +rushing in as Bud was brushing the fragments of debris from Tom's +clothes and examining the young inventor's face.</p> + +<p>"Brand my flyin' flapjacks, what happened?" Chow asked. The chef had +been bringing a tray of fruit juice to the laboratory and had heard the +explosion outside.</p> + +<p>"The radio set just blew up in my face," Tom explained. "Fortunately, +the equipment was transistorized mostly with printed circuits. +Otherwise," he added, "I might have been badly cut by slivers of +glass from the exploding vacuum tubes."</p> + +<p> +As it was, the young inventor had suffered only +<span class = "pagenum">74</span> +<a name = "page74"> </a> +a few slight scratches and a bruise on the temple from a piece of the +shattered housing. Bud swabbed Tom's injuries with antiseptic from the +first-aid cabinet while Chow poured out glasses of grape juice.</p> + +<p>"What caused it, Tom?" Bud asked as they paused to sip the fruit +drink.</p> + +<p>"Good question," Tom replied. "Frankly, I don't know." But he was +wondering if the set might have been sabotaged.</p> + +<p>Tom was still eager to get in touch with his father and telephoned +the electronics department to bring another set to his laboratory. Chow +left just as the new set arrived.</p> + +<p>Tom hooked it up quickly, donned a set of goggles, and tuned to the +space-station frequency. Then he picked up the microphone and stepped +well back from the set, waving Bud out of range at the same time.</p> + +<p>"Tom Swift calling Outpost!... Come in, please!"</p> + +<p>A moment later came another explosion! <i>The new set had also blown +up!</i></p> + +<p>"Good night!" Bud gasped in a stunned voice. "Don't tell me that's +just a coincidence!"</p> + +<p>Tom shrugged. "We can certainly rule out the possibility that +anything was wrong with the radio itself. Every set is checked before it +leaves the electronics department."</p> + +<p>"So where does that leave us?" Bud persisted.</p> + +<p> +<span class = "pagenum">75</span> +<a name = "page75"> </a> +Tom shook his head worriedly as he took off the goggles. "Both times it +seemed to happen just as the reply was coming through from the space +station. There is no possibility that their signal was too +strong—in other words, that the explosion was caused by +overloading the receiving circuits."</p> + +<p>"Are you implying that an enemy intercepted the message and sent some +sort of ray that caused the set to explode?" Bud demanded.</p> + +<p>Tom's face showed clearly that Bud had pinpointed the suspicion in +the young inventor's mind. "Could be."</p> + +<p>Bud was worried by this latest development. "Skipper, suppose I hop +up to the space wheel and talk it over with your dad. He may be able to +help us detect any enemy moves."</p> + +<p>"Good idea, pal," Tom agreed. "The sooner the better, +I'd say."</p> + +<p>The boys exchanged a quick handshake and affectionate shoulder slaps. +Then Bud hurried out to one of the Enterprises hangars to ready a +helijet for the flight to Fearing Island. This was the Swifts' rocket +base, just off the Atlantic coast. From there, Bud would board one of +the regular cargo shuttle rockets operating between the space station +and Fearing.</p> + +<p>Tom, meanwhile, plunged back to work on his shock-wave deflector.</p> + +<p> +At ten the next morning he called in Hank +<span class = "pagenum">76</span> +<a name = "page76"> </a> +Sterling and showed him a set of completed drawings.</p> + +<p>"Hank, you did a fast job on the container for the brain," Tom began +apologetically, "but you'll really have to burn out a bearing on this +one!"</p> + +<p>Hank grinned. "I'm geared to action. Say, what do we call it, +anyhow?" he asked.</p> + +<p>Tom grinned. "Chow told me last night this gadget looked like a +fireplug under a rose trellis and I ought to call it Fireplug Rose! But +I've given it a more dignified name—the Quakelizor, which stands +for an underground quake wave deflector."</p> + +<p>Briefly, Tom explained the various parts of his latest invention, +which consisted of a hydrant-sized cylinder to be inserted into the +ground, with magnetic coils near the top. A smaller hydraulic cylinder, +mounted above this, was wired to a metal framework and radio +transmitter.</p> + +<p>"This setup will detect any incoming enemy shock waves," Tom said. +"We'll need fifty of 'em, so turn the job over to Swift Construction. +And have Uncle Ned put on extra shifts."</p> + +<p>The Swift Construction Company, managed by Ned Newton, was the +commercial division which mass-produced Tom Jr.'s and Tom Sr.'s +inventions.</p> + +<p>Information from the detector-transmitters, Tom went on, would be fed +into an electronic computer at the Bureau of Mines in Washington.</p> + +<p> +<span class = "pagenum">77</span> +<a name = "page77"> </a> +The Quakelizor itself was housed in a massive cube-shaped casting with +two large spheres mounted on top. From each of its four sides jutted a +hydraulic piston.</p> + +<p>"How does it work, Tom?" Hank asked.</p> + +<p>"Dual-control spheres on top," Tom explained, "will receive by radio +signal the pulse frequency computed in Washington."</p> + +<p>He added that inside each sphere was a "pulsemaker." This would +produce changes in the pressure of the hydraulic fluid by affecting the +kinetic energy of the fluid's atoms.</p> + +<p>The pressure changes would then be enormously magnified in the four +hydraulic output drivers. When the unit was embedded in rock, +underground, the huge pistons would send out counter shock waves through +the earth's crust to neutralize the enemy waves.</p> + +<p>"Wow!" Hank Sterling was breathless at the sheer scope of the young +scientist's newest invention. "I'll get hot on the job right away."</p> + +<p>After forty-eight hours of round-the-clock work, the equipment was +ready. Tom conferred by telephone with both Dr. Miles in the Bureau of +Mines and Bernt Ahlgren in the Pentagon. He had already chosen the spots +for the detector-transmitter check points.</p> + +<p> +Tom told the men that he believed the best spot for the Quakelizor +itself was on a certain government reservation in Colorado. A deep +<span class = "pagenum">78</span> +<a name = "page78"> </a> +underground cave there would provide a perfect site.</p> + +<p>"We'll be close enough to the San Andreas fault to prevent a really +huge-scale disaster," Tom explained. "And the Rocky Mountain structure +will give us a good bedrock medium for shooting out waves anywhere +across the continent."</p> + +<p>Dr. Miles and Ahlgren agreed enthusiastically. Tom and the two +scientists spoke over a three-way telephone hookup—with automatic +scramblers to counter the danger of enemy monitors—laying plans to +install the equipment. Ahlgren agreed to fly a technical crew out to the +spot in Colorado which Tom had named.</p> + +<p>The next day, Tom, Hank, and several top Enterprises' engineers, +including Art Wiltessa, took off in the <i>Sky Queen</i>. This was Tom's +huge atomic-powered Flying Lab. The massive plane flew at supersonic +speeds and was equipped with jet lifters for vertical take-off or +hovering.</p> + +<p>A Whirling Duck heliplane, loaded with communications equipment, +accompanied the <i>Sky Queen</i>. In little more than an hour, the two +craft touched down in a rugged Colorado canyon. The government technical +crew was already on hand.</p> + +<p>"Glad to know you," Tom said, shaking hands with the engineer in +charge. He introduced his own men and added, "Better roll up your +sleeves. This job is going to take plenty of oomph!"</p> + +<p> +The parts of the Quakelizor were unloaded +<span class = "pagenum">79</span> +<a name = "page79"> </a> +from the <i>Sky Queen</i> onto dollies. Then the group, armed with +bull's-eye lanterns, flashlights, and walkie-talkies, hauled the parts +by tractor into the cave.</p> + +<p>"Okay. Now let's pick out the spot for embedding the unit," Tom +said.</p> + +<p>The men had no sooner begun to look around the huge underground +chamber when a fearsome growl rumbled through the cave. Everyone whirled +about and the next instant froze in horror.</p> + +<p>A huge bear reared up in the mouth of the cave! The monster snarled +and blinked its yellow eyes in the glare of lights.</p> + +<p>"We're trapped!" Hank cried out.</p> + +<p>The enormous bruin was now waving his huge head from side to side, as +if daring the intruders to step up and fight.</p> + +<p>Several of the government men had brought rifles and shotguns. But in +spite of their peril, no one wanted to shoot the handsome old +fellow.</p> + +<p>"I'll send out an SOS," Tom said. "If help arrives before the bear +attacks, we won't use guns."</p> + +<p> +He radioed the local Forest Ranger post. After a nerve-racking wait, +with the group expecting a charge from the beast at any minute, two +rangers appeared and captured the bear with a net. One man of the +government work crew knocked together a stout wooden cage. The beast, +outraged, +<span class = "pagenum">80</span> +<a name = "page80"> </a> +was loaded aboard the heliplane to be released in an area remote from +the cave.</p> + +<p>Now the grueling job of installing the Quakelizor began. First the +cave was cleared of debris, bats, and other small living creatures. Then +a site was marked out on the cave floor. Tom had brought along a midget +model of his great atomic earth blaster, which he had invented to drill +for iron at the South Pole.</p> + +<p class = "illustration"> +<img src = "images/pic80_81.jpg" width = "561" height = "254" +alt = "(Tom and Hank meet a bear in the cave)"></p> + +<p> +With the blaster, Tom quickly drilled a pit of exact size into the +bedrock. Then the Quakelizor +<span class = "pagenum">81</span> +<a name = "page81"> </a> +was assembled and lowered into place by a portable crane. A power plant +and radio antenna were set up and the installation was finally +completed.</p> + +<p>"I must return to Shopton now," Tom said. "Art here will stick around +and help you operate the setup," he told the government engineers after +radio contact had been made with Washington. "If anything goes wrong, +just flash word to Enterprises."</p> + +<p>The <i>Sky Queen</i> and the heliplane sped back across the +continent. As Tom landed at Enterprises he was greeted by Bud, who came +speeding out on the airfield by jeep.</p> + +<p> +"Just got back from the space wheel about an hour ago," Bud said. "Your +dad's really worried about those exploding radio sets, Tom. He has +<span class = "pagenum">82</span> +<a name = "page82"> </a> +no clues, but he's sure the scientists working for the Brungarian rebel +setup are responsible. He thinks they may try to ruin all of +Enterprises' communications system by remote control."</p> + +<p>Tom's face was grave as he listened. The two boys discussed the +problem as they drove to the Swifts' office in the main building.</p> + +<p>"Boy, I sure wish I could think of some way to cope with it," Tom +said wearily, flopping down in his desk chair.</p> + +<p>"Your dad said to give it the old college try," Bud reported. "And he +also said he'd be back in two days to help you on the problem."</p> + +<p>Tom glanced at the calendar. "Which reminds me," he said, "on Monday +the brain energy will be due from space!"</p> + +<p>The thought sent a thrill of excitement tinged with worry through the +young inventor's mind. Would the container he had devised prove +suitable?</p> + +<p>"Hey! A call on the videophone!" Bud pointed to the red light +flashing on the control board. He jumped up and switched on +the set.</p> + +<p>Blake, the Washington announcer, appeared on the screen.</p> + +<p>"Bad news, skipper," he said ominously. "An earthquake tremor was +just felt here in Washington. It centered in a shipyard on the Potomac +and caused great damage!"</p> + + + + +<span class = "pagenum">83</span> +<a name = "page83"> </a> +<h5 class = "left chapter"><a name = "chap_10">CHAPTER X</a></h5> +<h4>ENERGY FROM PLANET X</h4> + + +<p><span class = "firstword">Tom</span> +and Bud listened in dismay as Blake reported all the details he had been +able to gather.</p> + +<p>"Was my Quakelizor a flop, Bud?" Tom muttered, his shoulders drooping +as the announcer signed off. "It must have been!"</p> + +<p>"Don't be silly! Snap out of it!" Bud gave his pal a cheerful poke in +the ribs, hoping to buck him up. "You heard what Blake +said—Washington itself was hardly touched. Without your setup, +think of all the people that <i>might</i> have been killed or injured! +And all the government buildings that might have been wrecked, maybe +even the White House. I'd say your shock-wave deflector must have been +at least ninety per cent effective!"</p> + +<p> +Tom brightened somewhat on hearing Bud's words. He picked up the phone, +and placed a call to Dr. Miles at the Bureau of Mines. It was almost +<span class = "pagenum">84</span> +<a name = "page84"> </a> +half an hour before the operator was able to get a line through. But Tom +felt the suspense had been worth while when Dr. Miles exclaimed:</p> + +<p>"Tom, it was a miracle you completed the Quakelizor installation in +time! In all probability it saved us from a major national disaster, +perhaps worse than Pearl Harbor!"</p> + +<p>Tom felt a glow of pride and relief. "Thanks, sir. But what about the +shipyard destruction?" he added, still not entirely convinced.</p> + +<p>"That was a bad break, Tom," Dr. Miles admitted. "Our detectors +showed that the shock waves had been almost damped out when a sudden +power failure occurred. It turned out that an overload had shorted the +Quakelizor's power plant. The crew had it fixed within moments, but by +that time the damage was done."</p> + +<p>Tom winced as he heard of the unfortunate accident, but was thankful +the results had been no worse.</p> + +<p>Miles went on to say that he had just been conferring with Ahlgren at +the Pentagon. The Defense Department now feared that attempts might be +made against other large cities and was therefore eager to have Tom +deliver several quake deflectors as soon as possible. These would be +installed at strategic points around the country.</p> + +<p> +"The government heads were so impressed +<span class = "pagenum">85</span> +<a name = "page85"> </a> +with your invention, Tom," Dr. Miles added, "that they'll probably be +walking the floor anxiously until the others arrive."</p> + +<p>Tom chuckled, then became serious. "Tell them we'll go to work right +away," he informed the seismologist. "I'll have the new Quakelizors +ready as soon as possible, but you'd better warn your associates it's +bound to take a few days."</p> + +<p>As soon as the conversation was completed, Tom dialed Ned Newton at +the Swift Construction Company. Although he was actually not a relative +of the Swifts, both Tom and Sandy had from childhood called him +"Uncle Ned."</p> + +<p>"What's up, Tom?" he asked.</p> + +<p>Tom told him of the latest request from Washington and asked that +another three-shift work schedule be set up to turn out the additional +Quakelizors.</p> + +<p>"Hank and I will bring the blueprints over right away, if you don't +mind being late to dinner," Tom said.</p> + +<p>Ned Newton agreed willingly, only too happy to help cope with the +quake menace. By eight o'clock that evening, work on the project was +proceeding at great speed. The Swift Construction Company continued +humming with activity around the clock.</p> + +<p> +The week end was almost over by the time Mr. Swift arrived back from the +space station. Tom +<span class = "pagenum">86</span> +<a name = "page86"> </a> +flew to Fearing Island to meet him. On the short hop back to +Enterprises, they discussed the radio problem.</p> + +<p>"I think the solution's been staring us in the face, Dad, but we've +been too worried to think of it," Tom said. "Remember Li Ching's +jamming-wave generator?"</p> + +<p>He was referring to a device used recently by an Oriental foe of Tom +and his father. Mr. Swift's eyes lighted up with a quick flash of +understanding.</p> + +<p>"Dad, you wrote a report on the generator for the government with a +memo on possible ways to combat it," Tom went on. "Maybe the same +measures would work in this case."</p> + +<p>The Swifts had discovered that their enemy had been intercepting +Tom's messages, thereby learning the frequency to which the Swifts' +receiver was tuned. They then radiated a signal at this frequency, +modulated at the frequency to which the local oscillator was set. This +had caused a buildup of energy in the I. F. transformers, +resulting in their explosion.</p> + +<p>Now Mr. Swift said, "You're right, son. We'll insert a blocking +filter in the R. F. stage that should do the trick."</p> + +<p> +Their minds relieved of this problem, the Swifts were eagerly looking +forward to the arrival of the brain energy from space the next day. The +scheduled time, if pinpointed at exactly two +<span class = "pagenum">87</span> +<a name = "page87"> </a> +weeks from the moment when the first message was received, would be half +an hour past noon.</p> + +<p>The spot, two miles from Enterprises, was on a lonely hillside. It +was shaded by trees, higher up the slope, with bushes and other +wild-growing greenery softening its contours. Over the week end, Tom had +had carpenters from Enterprises put up a small cabin at the foot.</p> + +<p>As twelve-thirty approached, Tom, Bud, Mr. Swift, Hank Sterling, Arv +Hanson, and several other Swift technicians stood by at the scene with +the star-headed container. Chow had also begged to be on hand.</p> + +<p>"I jest got to see Ole Think Box come to life!" he said.</p> + +<p>Eyes darted back and forth from wrist watches to sky as the zero +moment ticked closer. Bud even began muttering a countdown.</p> + +<p>"X minus three... X minus two... X minus one... This is it!"</p> + +<p>All eyes flashed skyward. <i>But nothing happened!</i> Not a speck +showed in the blue, cloudless sky.</p> + +<p>The watchers glanced at one another uncertainly. More minutes went +by. Soon it was quarter to one... then one o'clock.</p> + +<p>"No mistake about the time, was there?" Arv asked.</p> + +<p> +Mr. Swift shook his head. "Not if the code was translated correctly." He +frowned. "It's true they +<span class = "pagenum">88</span> +<a name = "page88"> </a> +spoke merely in terms of days. But their time references are usually +very precise."</p> + +<p>The waiting group fidgeted and prowled back and forth to ease their +tension. Feelings of suspense began changing into gloom after two more +hours had passed with no sign from the sky.</p> + +<p>Disappointed but unable to wait any longer, the technical men went +back to the plant, one by one. Hank Sterling, too, and Arv Hanson +finally had to leave.</p> + +<p>"Sorry, skipper," Hank muttered. "Ring us right away if it +shows up."</p> + +<p>"Sure, Hank."</p> + +<p>As six o'clock went by, Chow tried to pep up his companions' drooping +spirits with a simple but tasty supper, warmed up on an electric hot +plate in the cabin.</p> + +<p>"What do you think, skipper? Are we out of luck?" Bud asked as +they ate.</p> + +<p>"Our space friends haven't let us down yet," Tom replied. "I'm sure +they won't this time." Though he didn't say so aloud, Tom was worried +that their Brungarian enemies might have managed to divert and capture +the energy.</p> + +<p>Mr. Swift seemed to read Tom's thoughts. "Let's hope no hitch has +occurred," he said quietly.</p> + +<p>The sun went down. Twilight slowly deepened. The trees on the +hillside faded from view in the gathering darkness.</p> + +<p> +<span class = "pagenum">89</span> +<a name = "page89"> </a> +"<i>There it is!</i>" Bud yelled suddenly.</p> + +<p>Electrified, the four sprang up in an instant. A speck of light was +sailing across the sky! But their faces fell as it drew closer.</p> + +<p>"Only an airplane," Bud grumbled.</p> + +<p>At ten o'clock Mr. Swift gave a weary yawn. "The spirit is willing +but the flesh is weak," he confessed. "I got only two hours of +sleep on the space wheel, and apparently last night wasn't enough to +catch up. Sorry, fellows."</p> + +<p>"Why don't you go home, Dad? Hit the hay," Tom said +sympathetically.</p> + +<p>Promising to take a turn on watch if the vigil continued through the +next day, Mr. Swift drove off in his car.</p> + +<p>Time dragged by slowly as the three remaining watchers chatted and +looked hopefully at the stars. Eventually Chow propped himself against a +tree and dropped off to sleep to the accompaniment of low-droning +snores. Bud too began to drowse.</p> + +<p>It was long past midnight when Tom suddenly caught sight of a moving +light in the sky. He stiffened and held his breath. Another false +alarm?</p> + +<p>But no! A glowing, faintly bluish mass with a comet tail of luminous +orange red was slowly proceeding through the pattern of stars!</p> + +<p> +"Hey, fellows! Wake up!" Tom shouted. He sprang to his feet and +unlatched a single point of +<span class = "pagenum">90</span> +<a name = "page90"> </a> +the star head. Within seconds, Bud and Chow were both wide awake, as +excited as Tom. The blue nebulous mass moved closer and closer. The +three watchers were speechless with awe.</p> + +<p>As the ball of energy descended toward them, it lit up the whole +scene. The hillside looked almost as if it were on fire. The earth +vibrated, and the air had the sharp smell of ozone. This was followed by +a frightening clatter and rumble. The force of the energy was sweeping +down rocks, gravel, and shrubbery in a hillside avalanche!</p> + +<p>"Look out!" Chow shrieked. "We'll be pulverized in this rock +stampede!" He streaked for cover as a huge boulder came plunging +straight toward him.</p> + +<p>"Hold fast, Bud!" Tom cried. "Nothing's headed our way!"</p> + +<p>Steeling his nerves, he grabbed the waiting container and held on +grimly. An instant later the glowing mass sharpened and narrowed itself +into a snakelike bolt of fire that arced straight into the head of Tom's +invention.</p> + +<p>Tom gave a yell of triumph and clamped the star point shut, then +pushed a button to activate the self-sealing process.</p> + +<p>Chow peered out cautiously from behind a clump of rock. The next +second, he let out a Texas whoop, bounded from cover like an over-sized +gnome, and sent his ten-gallon hat sailing high into the air.</p> + +<p> +<span class = "pagenum">91</span> +<a name = "page91"> </a> +"<i>Yippee!</i>"</p> + +<p>Bud cheered too. "The visitor from Planet X has arrived!"</p> + +<p>In their excitement and relief, the three hugged one another and +jumped for joy.</p> + +<p>"Should we wake up your dad and tell him the good news—or keep +it a surprise till morning?" Bud asked Tom.</p> + +<p>"I guess we'd better—"</p> + +<p>Tom broke off in a gasp as the robotlike container suddenly began to +whirl—slowly at first, then faster and faster. Spinning crazily +like a huge runaway top, it darted up, down, and about the hillside.</p> + +<p>Tom and his two companions stared in helpless amazement.</p> + +<p>"Great horned toads! What's it up to?" Chow exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"Seems like the energy's trying to get out!" Bud guessed. "Something +must be bothering it."</p> + +<p>Tom shook his head incredulously. "No reason for that. The container +was absolutely empty."</p> + +<p>Chow suddenly gave a groan and slapped his forehead in dismay. "Brand +my Big Dipper!" the cook said. "Mebbe Ole Think Box has gone loco! An' +it could be my fault!"</p> + + + + +<span class = "pagenum">92</span> +<a name = "page92"> </a> +<h5 class = "left chapter"><a name = "chap_11">CHAPTER XI</a></h5> +<h4>AN ELECTRICAL CHRISTENING</h4> + + +<p><span class = "firstword">"What</span> +are you talking about, Chow?" Tom asked, turning to the old Westerner in +amazement.</p> + +<p>Chow related how he had dropped the bubble gum inside the robot's +head. "Did I ruin the critter?" he asked fearfully.</p> + +<p>Tom was thoughtful for a moment, frowning as they watched Ole Think +Box continue its gyrations. The figure seemed to be calming down +somewhat, although Tom could not be sure of this.</p> + +<p>Suddenly his face brightened. A new thought had just struck the young +inventor! To Chow's amazement, Tom slapped the cook happily on the +back.</p> + +<p>"I think you've done me a favor, Chow!" he exclaimed.</p> + +<p> +<span class = "pagenum">93</span> +<a name = "page93"> </a> +"I have?" The old Texan stared at his young boss, as if not sure whether +or not to believe him. "How come?"</p> + +<p>"You saw how Ole Think Box reacted to the gum," Tom explained. "That +shows the energy really is like a brain! It's responsive and sensitive +to conditions of its environment, especially when coming up against +something new and unexpected."</p> + +<p>"You mean they don't have bubble gum on Planet X?" Chow asked with a +grin.</p> + +<p>Tom smiled as Bud said, "This means we should be able to communicate +with it."</p> + +<p>"And the brain will probably be able to communicate back to us!" Tom +went on excitedly. "We may even be able to learn about Planet X!"</p> + +<p>As he spoke, Ole Think Box's whirling became slower and slower. +Finally it came to rest close to the three humans.</p> + +<p>"What do you suppose happened to the gum?" Bud asked. "Did he chew it +all up?"</p> + +<p>"It's probably unchanged," Tom replied. "Our visitor is used to +it now."</p> + +<p>Chow was still wide-eyed with awe. He stared at the strange creature +as if expecting it to snap at him in revenge for the gum.</p> + +<p> +"Don't worry, old-timer. Think Box won't bite," Bud teased. "With that +gum spree, he's just been initiated into our American tribal customs!" +<span class = "pagenum">94</span> +<a name = "page94"> </a> +The pilot grinned. "Hey! We haven't given him a proper name."</p> + +<p>"You're right." Tom looked at his pal and chuckled. "Got any +ideas?"</p> + +<p>"Hmm. Let me see." Bud scowled and paced about with his hands clasped +behind his back. "Firetop—John Q. Pyro—"</p> + +<p>"But it ain't on fire now," Chow pointed out.</p> + +<p>"Maybe not, but he sure blazed a trail getting here," Bud argued.</p> + +<p>Tom and Chow countered with several ideas of their own, but nothing +seemed suitable until Bud suddenly stopped short and snapped his +fingers.</p> + +<p>"I have it! He's a visitor from Planet X, so let's call him +<i>Exman!</i>" Bud spelled it out.</p> + +<p>"Perfect!" Tom was delighted and Chow agreed that it seemed "a right +good monicker." The Texan insisted seriously that if the creature were +going to be named, he should also have a proper christening.</p> + +<p>"Why not?" Tom agreed, as both boys broke into laughter. Bud also +liked the idea.</p> + +<p>Chow had a troublesome afterthought. He shoved back his sombrero, +squinted frowningly at the brain container, and scratched his bald head. +"For boat christenings and statues and what not, you break bottles on +'em or cut ribbons or pull a sheet off 'em," the cook said. "But how in +tarnation do you christen a buckaroo from space?"</p> + +<p> +<span class = "pagenum">95</span> +<a name = "page95"> </a> +"Nothing to it, Chow," Tom assured him. "We'll do the job up nice and +fancy with a display of electricity. But first let's get Exman over to +the lab."</p> + +<p>The three loaded the energy container into the pickup truck which had +brought it to the hillside spot. Then Tom drove back to Enterprises and +they took Exman into his private laboratory.</p> + +<p>Here Tom attached an electrode to each side of the star head. One +electrode was safely grounded, the other connected to a Tesla coil. +Then, with all lights turned off in the laboratory, Tom threw a +switch.</p> + +<p>Instantly a dazzling arc of electricity sputtered through the +darkness across the creature's head! The eerie display lit up the room +with such impressive effect that both Bud and Chow felt their spines +tingle.</p> + +<p>"I christen you Exman!" Tom intoned.</p> + +<p>For several moments he allowed the fiery arc to continue playing +about the star head. Then he opened the power switch and turned the room +lights back on.</p> + +<p>"Wow! Quite a ceremony!" Bud murmured.</p> + +<p>"After a send-off like that, I'll be expectin' the critter to do +great things here on this lil ole planet Earth!" Chow declared +fervently.</p> + +<p>"You could be right," Tom said.</p> + +<p> +Worn out by the long wait for their visitor from Planet X and the +excitement following his arrival, +<span class = "pagenum">96</span> +<a name = "page96"> </a> +Chow finally went off to his own quarters at Enterprises for a +well-earned sleep.</p> + +<p>"Guess you and I had better get some shut-eye too, pal," Tom told +Bud. "And I think I won't tell Dad until morning."</p> + +<p> +<span class = "picture"> +<img src = "images/pic96.jpg" width = "341" height = "345" +alt = "(Tom, Bud and Chow celebrate building Exman)"></span> +The two boys decided to bunk on cots in the small apartment adjoining +Tom's laboratory. Exman, meanwhile, was left locked in the laboratory +with a tiny "night light" showing on him.</p> + +<p>"Just a little ray of energy to keep him company," Tom explained with +a chuckle.</p> + +<p> +<span class = "pagenum">97</span> +<a name = "page97"> </a> +Minutes later, the two boys were sound asleep. For a while, all was +silent. Then the apartment's telephone rang, shattering the stillness. +Tom struggled out of the depths of sleep, got up, and groped his way +over to the wall phone.</p> + +<p>"Tom Swift Jr. speaking."</p> + +<p>A familiar voice asked, "Did it come?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, hi, Dad!" Tom replied, yawning. "Yes, Exman arrived in fine +shape. We've put him to bed. Tell you all about it tomorrow +morning."</p> + +<p>"Okay, Tom."</p> + +<p>As Tom hung up, Bud roused and switched on a lamp. He had awakened in +time to catch only part of Tom's words. "Your father?" he inquired.</p> + +<p>Tom nodded sleepily and was about to go back to bed. But Bud, still +fascinated by the space visitor, decided to have a peek at Exman. He got +up and opened the door to the laboratory. A yell from him brought Tom +rushing to his side.</p> + +<p>"Hey! It's gone!"</p> + +<p>The spot by the night light where they had left Exman was now +deserted! Tom found a wall switch and pressed it. As light from the +overhead fluorescent tubes flooded the room, the boys gave laughing +cries of relief.</p> + +<p>Ole Think Box had merely moved himself to another corner of the +room!</p> + +<p>"Guess he didn't like that little chum we left on for him," Bud said +with a chuckle.</p> + +<p>"Let's leave him where he is," Tom agreed.</p> + +<p> +<span class = "pagenum">98</span> +<a name = "page98"> </a> +The two boys went back to the adjoining apartment and were soon asleep +again. Several hours later they were rudely awakened by a loud crash of +glass and a heavy thud.</p> + +<p>"Something's happening to Exman!" Tom cried.</p> + +<p>With Bud at his heels, the young inventor dashed into the +laboratory.</p> + + + + +<span class = "pagenum">99</span> +<a name = "page99"> </a> +<h5 class = "left chapter"><a name = "chap_12">CHAPTER XII</a></h5> +<h4>EXMAN TAKES ORDERS</h4> + + +<p><span class = "firstword">A strange</span> +sight greeted Tom's and Bud's eyes. In the first rays of sunlight, the +space robot was moving back and forth about the laboratory in wild +zigzag darts and lunges.</p> + +<p>As he rolled toward a bench or other object, the brain energy seemed +to send out invisible waves that knocked things over! Already the floor +was strewn with toppled lab stools, books, and broken test tubes. The +heavy thud had apparently been caused by a falling file cabinet.</p> + +<p>"Stop him!" Bud yelped.</p> + +<p>Exman was heading straight for a plate-glass window! Reaching from +floor to ceiling, the glass formed one entire wall of the +laboratory.</p> + +<p>"Oh, no!" Tom tensed, realizing that it was hopeless to try to stop +Exman in time.</p> + +<p> +But an instant later, the rolling robot stopped of its own accord, as if +registering the fact that its +<span class = "pagenum">100</span> +<a name = "page100"> </a> +energy waves were now striking a fragile surface. The thick pane of +glass vibrated in its frame.</p> + +<p>"Good grief!" Tom wiped his brow. "Let's corral that thing before he +wrecks the whole lab!"</p> + +<p>Exman was already rolling off on a new tack. The two boys managed to +grab him before more harm was done. The brain energy in its container +seemed to calm under their touch.</p> + +<p>"What in the name of space science triggered it off?" Bud wondered +out loud.</p> + +<p>"Time. It must have reacted to the passage of time," Tom conjectured. +"I suppose it just decided to explore this place." He added a bit +nervously, "The sooner we can communicate with this energy, the +better!"</p> + +<p>"But how?" Bud asked.</p> + +<p>Tom's brow furrowed. "Say, I wonder if Exman might understand a +direct order?"</p> + +<p>Tom backed a few paces away from the space robot, then said in a +loud, clear voice, "Come here!"</p> + +<p>Exman remained fixed to its spot.</p> + +<p>"Move right!" No response. "Move left!" Still no response.</p> + +<p>"Guess you're not getting through, skipper," Bud commented with a +grin.</p> + +<p> +"No," Tom agreed. "I can't predict what kind of energy this brain will +respond to. Being only energy, it must respond to other energy and sound +is our form of energy. The problem is the same +<span class = "pagenum">101</span> +<a name = "page101"> </a> +as with radio waves, which are also energy. We must figure out how we +can vary the energy, so it can transmit information to Exman."</p> + +<p>"What <i>do</i> we try?" Bud asked. "Or is it hopeless?"</p> + +<p>"I'll try communicating with it via the electronic brain, which I +have adapted to fit this problem."</p> + +<p>The boys cleaned up the wreckage caused by Exman in his dawn +venturings. Then Tom went by jeep to the computer laboratory, made +connections to his electronic brain, and wired it for remote control. +Then he returned to the private laboratory. There Bud watched as he +hooked up the leads from the computer to a transmitting-receiving +decoder with a short-range antenna.</p> + +<p>"Speak, O Master!" Bud said, imitating a squeaky robot voice. "Sound +off loud and clear!"</p> + +<p>Tom grinned and tapped out a command on the keyboard: <i>Move +backward.</i></p> + +<p>Exman rolled backward! Bud gave a whoop of delight.</p> + +<p>Tom signaled: <i>Move forward.</i> Obediently Exman rolled +toward him.</p> + +<p><i>Stop.</i> Exman stopped.</p> + +<p>"Hey, how about that?" Bud exclaimed happily. "It really savvies +those electronic brain impulses!"</p> + +<p>"And minds them—which is equally important," Tom added.</p> + +<p> +<span class = "pagenum">102</span> +<a name = "page102"> </a> +A moment later the brain energy seemed to become impatient. It spurted +off in its wheeled container toward a laboratory workbench.</p> + +<p><i>Crash!</i> A rack of test tubes went sailing to the floor with an +explosion of tinkling glass.</p> + +<p><i>Stop!</i> Tom signaled frantically. Again Exman obeyed the +order.</p> + +<p>"It's like a mischievous kid," Bud said.</p> + +<p>Almost as if in defiance, Exman scooted off in another direction. +Then it stopped abruptly and swiveled around, one of its antenna arms +knocking a Bunsen burner to the floor as it did so.</p> + +<p><i>Come here!</i> Tom signaled. As the culprit approached, he added +sternly, <i>Stop where you are. And stay there until you receive further +orders.</i></p> + +<p>This time Exman stood patiently, awaiting the next signal. Bud got a +brush and dustpan, and the boys cleaned up the broken test tubes and +replaced the burner on its shelf.</p> + +<p>Then Tom began feeding more complicated instructions to Exman through +the electronic brain. He guided him through a number of dancelike +movements and other drills, and got him to send out a wave of heat which +the boys could instantly feel. Tom was even able to make the robot aim +its wave energy so as to short-circuit a switch on an electrical control +panel.</p> + +<p> +Tom was both pleased and excited. "Bud," he exclaimed, "the brain reacts +as quickly as that of a highly intelligent being! Just +imagine—without +<span class = "pagenum">103</span> +<a name = "page103"> </a> +any sort of decoding equipment, it can pick up and <i>understand</i> the +radio signals I beam out to it!"</p> + +<p>"What we need now," Tom went on, "is a simple language to get our +ideas across to Exman without having to use the electronic brain all the +time. That means I must find a way to give Exman senses as we humans +have—smell, touch, sight, hearing, taste. Then it could receive +the same reactions we do and talk directly to us!"</p> + +<p>"Sounds like quite an order," Bud said wryly. "Speaking of which, how +about us phoning Chow an order for breakfast?"</p> + +<p>He did so, and a short time later Chow wheeled a food cart into the +laboratory. As he dished out man-sized helpings of ham and eggs, the +cook kept a wary eye on Exman. Tom was putting the robot through a few +more lively maneuvers.</p> + +<p>"A good meal'd calm down Ole Think Box," Chow observed grumpily. "But +what do you feed that there kind o' contraption?"</p> + +<p>"Well, not gum, that's for sure!" Bud teased. After tasting his first +forkful of food, he gasped, "And none of this ham!"</p> + +<p>Jumping up from his lab stool, Bud began whirling, dancing around, +and flapping his arms as if he were burning up.</p> + +<p>"Help! Help!" he yelled. "Chow's poisoned me—just like he did +Exman!"</p> + +<p> +Chow's leathery old face paled under its desert +<span class = "pagenum">104</span> +<a name = "page104"> </a> +tan. "Great snakes, Tom!" the Texan gulped. "Have I really pizened him? +Maybe we should call Doc Simpson!"</p> + +<p>Doc was the medic in charge of the Enterprises infirmary.</p> + +<p>Tom was unable to keep a straight face. "Better call someone with a +strait jacket—or a butterfly net!" he said, quaking with laughter. +"I'm afraid he's just pulling your leg, Chow!"</p> + +<p>Chow's jaw clamped shut like a bear trap and he glared at the +pirouetting young flier. Bud collapsed on his stool, doubled over with +mirth.</p> + +<p>"Sorry, old-timer," he gasped. "I just couldn't resist!"</p> + +<p>"Okay, Buddy boy," Chow said darkly. "And mebbe I won't be able to +resist gettin' even one o' these days!" The cook stumped out of the +laboratory in his high-heeled cowboy boots, a picture of outraged +dignity.</p> + +<p>"Better watch out, pal!" Tom warned with a grin. "Just remember: it's +never smart to bite the hand that feeds you!"</p> + +<p>"I guess you're right," Bud agreed, wiping away the tears of +laughter. "I'll remember, just as long as Chow promises not to serve us +any more armadillo soup or rattlesnake salad!"</p> + +<p>Chow's fondness for experimenting with weird dishes was a standing +joke around Enterprises.</p> + +<p> +The boys ate their meal hungrily. As they were +<span class = "pagenum">105</span> +<a name = "page105"> </a> +finishing, Tom glanced at the big clock on the wall. It was now well +past eight o'clock.</p> + +<p>"Wonder why Dad hasn't come to the lab," he remarked. "I'd better +call and find out if he's all right."</p> + +<p>Tom picked up the telephone and asked the operator for the direct +line to the Swifts' home. His father answered.</p> + +<p>"'Morning, Dad!" Tom greeted him. "I thought after your call last +night, you'd be over bright and early to see our visitor. He's +already—"</p> + +<p>"What are you talking about, son?" Mr. Swift broke in. "I didn't +phone you last night!"</p> + + + + +<span class = "pagenum">106</span> +<a name = "page106"> </a> +<h5 class = "left chapter"><a name = "chap_13">CHAPTER XIII</a></h5> +<h4>DISASTER STRIKES</h4> + + +<p><span class = "firstword">Tom</span> +was thunderstruck. "You didn't phone me? But, Dad, I got the +call—I definitely heard your voice!"</p> + +<p>"That's impossible," Mr. Swift insisted. "Believe me, son, I slept +soundly from the time I turned in until a little while ago."</p> + +<p>There was a moment of stunned silence as both Swifts realized that +the telephone call had been faked! Then Tom exclaimed:</p> + +<p>"Dad, this is serious!"</p> + +<p>"Deadly serious, I agree," his father replied. "Are you calling from +your lab?"</p> + +<p>"Yes!"</p> + +<p>"Stay there. I'll be right over," the elder scientist said.</p> + +<p>When Mr. Swift arrived, Tom related his conversation with the +mysterious caller. His father listened with worried eyes and a puzzled +frown.</p> + +<p> +<span class = "pagenum">107</span> +<a name = "page107"> </a> +"It's bad enough that an enemy was able to get the information," Mr. +Swift remarked. "But, potentially at least, it's even more dangerous +that he was able to imitate my voice so well. If he could fool you, Tom, +he could fool anyone!"</p> + +<p>"Are you thinking the same thing I am, Dad?"</p> + +<p>"That it may have been some insider here at Enterprises?" When Tom +nodded, his father gravely agreed. "Yes, son, it does look that way. To +imitate my voice convincingly, it would almost certainly have to be +someone who's had close contact with us—either at the plant or +here in Shopton."</p> + +<p>The thought of a traitor at the experimental station was repugnant to +the Swifts and to Bud as well. Not only were all employees carefully +screened, but there was a close, almost family relationship among those +who took part in the exciting scientific ventures at Swift +Enterprises.</p> + +<p>Tom called Security and asked Harlan Ames to come over to the +laboratory at once. The security chief arrived within moments. Quickly +Tom filled him in on the details of the puzzling telephone call.</p> + +<p>"Think back, skipper," Ames urged. "Was there anything at all you can +remember about the voice that might give us a tip-off? I mean, was it +deep, or maybe a bit higher-pitched than you expected? Or anything about +the way the caller pronounced his words?"</p> + +<p> +<span class = "pagenum">108</span> +<a name = "page108"> </a> +Tom shook his head. "Nothing. That's the trouble. He spoke only a couple +of sentences, but so far as I knew, it <i>was</i> my father +calling!"</p> + +<p>"Hmmm." Ames frowned. "What about background noises?"</p> + +<p>Tom thought hard. "None. If I had detected any special sounds during +the call, I'm sure they would have stuck in my mind."</p> + +<p>Ames tried another tack. He asked how many people had known about the +expected arrival of the brain energy from space. This was harder to +answer, but as Tom and his father enumerated the persons, it did help to +narrow the circle of suspects.</p> + +<p>Besides the Swifts, Chow, Phyl, Ames, and George Dilling, there were +three groups who had had access to the information. One was the radio +operators at the space-communications laboratory. Another consisted of +Arv Hanson and Hank Sterling and the workmen who had taken part in +building the energy container. The last group, which also included Hank +and Arv, were the technicians who had actually gone to the hillside to +await the visitor from Planet X.</p> + +<p>Tom scowled. "None of those people would pull such a trick, +Harlan—any more than the ones like you and Arv and Hank who are +above suspicion. Most of them could have easily obtained the news +without going through such a rigmarole."</p> + +<p> +Mr. Swift nodded. "Tom's right. Unless, of +<span class = "pagenum">109</span> +<a name = "page109"> </a> +course, they had some urgent reason for wanting to find out as soon as +possible."</p> + +<p>"Which makes me think it may have been an outsider after all," Tom +argued. "Remember, the Brungarians may have intercepted the code +messages to or from our space friends." After a moment's silence, he +added gloomily, "Whoever the caller was, he knew the energy was +arriving. And now he knows it's here!"</p> + +<p>Bud interjected, "Well, if he was a Brungarian agent and he's hoping +to steal the brain energy, one thing's sure. No earthquake will demolish +this place as long as the energy is here at Enterprises."</p> + +<p>"A comforting thought, Bud," Mr. Swift commented with a wry +smile.</p> + +<p>Again Tom frowned. "At any rate, Harlan, see if you can get a line on +that impostor."</p> + +<p>Ames departed to begin a thorough check of all personnel at the plant +who might have been implicated. Bud went on an errand, as Tom began +showing his father the accomplishments of the space robot.</p> + +<p>"We've christened him Exman," Tom said.</p> + +<p>By means of the electronic brain, he made the visitor do a number of +maneuvers in response to orders.</p> + +<p>"Wonderful!" Mr. Swift exclaimed, greatly impressed. "Let's see if he +can use his caterpillar treads as well as he does the wheels."</p> + +<p> +<span class = "pagenum">110</span> +<a name = "page110"> </a> +Tom brought a small flight of portable aluminum stairs which he used for +reaching up on high shelves or tinkering with outsized machines. Tom was +uncertain at first how to code the command, having no symbol for steps +or stairs. Finally he moved Exman to the bottom of the steps and +signaled simply: <i>Go up!</i></p> + +<p>Exman paused for a moment, then attempted the ascent. His caterpillar +tracks clawed their way up the first step. Then, gingerly, he essayed +the next. The robot body tilted, but its gyro kept it from toppling +over.</p> + +<p>"Bravo!" Mr. Swift applauded encouragingly. But the next instant +Exman gave up! He slid back to the floor again with a heavy bump. Then +he began whirling and darting about madly.</p> + +<p>"Good night! Exman's gone berserk!" Tom cried.</p> + +<p>Now wafts of smoke could be seen issuing from the robot's wheels. He +was banging wildly about the laboratory, leaving a trail of havoc.</p> + +<p>Bud, who had returned, opened the door to come in. Instantly Exman +lunged toward him, antennas sparking fiercely and wheels smoking. Bud +slammed the door hastily.</p> + +<p>The Swifts, too, found it wiser to take cover. They crouched behind a +lab workbench until the frenzy was over. Presently Exman subsided and +rolled to a complete standstill.</p> + +<p> +"Good grief!" Tom stood up cautiously and +<span class = "pagenum">111</span> +<a name = "page111"> </a> +eyed the creature. It made no further move. Bud poked his head through +the doorway for a wary look, then re-entered the laboratory.</p> + +<p>"What made him blow his top?" Bud asked.</p> + +<p>Then Tom heard a quiet chuckle from his father. "Actually, boys," the +elder scientist said, "I think we should be encouraged."</p> + +<p> +<span class = "picture"> +<img src = "images/pic111.jpg" width = "347" height = "289" alt = +"(Tom Jr. and Tom Sr. watch as Exman tries to climb stairs)"></span> +"<i>Encouraged?</i>" Tom stared at his father.</p> + +<p>Mr. Swift nodded. "Yes, the whole thing was rather a noteworthy +reaction. I believe Exman was displaying a fear complex about navigating +up those stairs."</p> + +<p> +Tom gasped, then broke out laughing. "Dad, you're right! I'll bet when +its body tilted over, the +<span class = "pagenum">112</span> +<a name = "page112"> </a> +brain wasn't sure whether the gyro would keep it from being wrecked. It +just shows Ole Think Box is getting more human all the time!"</p> + +<p>Bud ventured to pat Exman on its "back." "Relax, kid," he said with a +chuckle. "You're among friends and we wouldn't dream of letting you get +hurt. You're too valuable!"</p> + +<p>Mr. Swift stroked his jaw thoughtfully. "Valuable, yes, if we can +only get it to communicate. Tom, I believe the first project we should +work on is a way to make Exman talk."</p> + +<p>After the debris had been cleaned up, the two scientists pulled up +stools to the workbench and began to discuss the problem. Bud, seeing +them absorbed, and realizing the discussion would soon be far beyond his +depth, snapped a grinning salute at Exman and quietly left the +laboratory.</p> + +<p>"Dad, the toughest part won't be the speech mechanism itself," Tom +pointed out. "There are several ways we could handle that—by +modulating a column of air, for instance, or by some sort of speaker +diaphragm. The real stumper will be how to teach him our spoken +language."</p> + +<p>Mr. Swift nodded. "I'm afraid you're right. If the inhabitants of +Planet X communicate telepathically, or by some sort of wave transfer, +they may have long since forgotten any concept of a spoken +language."</p> + +<p>The Swifts batted several ideas back and forth. Then Tom snapped his +fingers.</p> + +<p> +<span class = "pagenum">113</span> +<a name = "page113"> </a> +"Wait, Dad! We have the answer! The electronic brain!"</p> + +<p>Mr. Swift's eyes lighted up. "Of course! The machine already +translates the space code into written English. All we need do is add a +device to convert the machine's impulses into sound!"</p> + +<p>In two hours the Swifts had put together a mechanism designed to work +through a tape recorder. This was hooked up to the electronic brain.</p> + +<p>After recording for several moments, Tom reversed the tape and +switched on the playback. A squeaky jumble of noises could be heard. But +one word seemed to come through fairly distinctly. "Universe!"</p> + +<p>"It's talking!" Tom cried out.</p> + +<p>"Trying to, but not succeeding very well," Mr. Swift said.</p> + +<p>Nevertheless, the two scientists were jubilant at this first +breakthrough. Eagerly they began making adjustments—both on the +electronic-brain hookup and the converter mechanism. Tom was just about +to switch on the tape recorder again when the telephone rang.</p> + +<p>The young inventor was annoyed at being interrupted at such a crucial +moment, but picked up the phone. "Tom Swift Jr. speaking."</p> + +<p>"You have an urgent call from Washington," the operator informed him. +"Just a moment, please."</p> + +<p> +<span class = "pagenum">114</span> +<a name = "page114"> </a> +Bernt Ahlgren was calling from the Pentagon. The defense expert's voice +was strained.</p> + +<p>"Tom, there's just been another attempt to cause an earthquake here +in Washington!"</p> + +<p>Tom gasped. "What happened?"</p> + +<p>"It failed, thanks to you. But Intelligence believes an attempt will +be made on New York City very soon. We need your help to stop it. How +near completion are the other shock deflectors?"</p> + +<p>Before Tom could answer, he heard excited voices at the other end of +the line. Then Ahlgren broke in again abruptly.</p> + +<p>"A news flash, Tom! The Walling range-finder plant has been +demolished by an earthquake!"</p> + + + + +<span class = "pagenum">115</span> +<a name = "page115"> </a> +<h5 class = "left chapter"><a name = "chap_14">CHAPTER XIV</a></h5> +<h4>AIR-BORNE HIJACKERS</h4> + + +<p><span class = "firstword">Mr. Swift,</span> +hearing Tom's dismayed reaction, rushed to the telephone.</p> + +<p>"What's wrong, son?"</p> + +<p>Tom clamped his hand over the mouthpiece and quickly gave his father +the news of the destroyed range-finder plant. Then he spoke into the +telephone.</p> + +<p>"Bernt, we must prevent another disaster! Let me check with our +construction company on the Quakelizors and I'll call you right +back!"</p> + +<p>"Right, Tom," Ahlgren agreed.</p> + +<p>Both Tom and Mr. Swift were shocked by this latest blow of their +enemies. Tom called Ned Newton at the Swift Construction Company at once +and told him the news.</p> + +<p>"How soon will the Quakelizors be ready, Uncle Ned?"</p> + +<p> +<span class = "pagenum">116</span> +<a name = "page116"> </a> +"They're finished, Tom. We're running a final inspection on them right +now. We can have them ready to ship out by one o'clock."</p> + +<p>Tom relayed word to the Pentagon. Bernt Ahlgren was greatly relieved. +"By the way," Tom went on, "what about the sites? Have they been +chosen yet?"</p> + +<p>"Only tentatively," Ahlgren replied. "We wanted to get your opinion +first."</p> + +<p>One of the deflectors, Ahlgren felt, should be based in position to +guard the New York and New England area, in view of Intelligence +warnings about a probable attack on New York City. Another, in the +Cumberland plateau region of Kentucky, could damp out shock waves +threatening either the heavily industrialized Great Lakes area or any +southern city.</p> + +<p>As to the other three Quakelizors, Ahlgren suggested that one be +installed on the West Coast, one in the Black Hills of South Dakota, and +the third on the Atlantic island of San Rosario. This would protect both +Latin-American allies and Caribbean defense bases of the United +States.</p> + +<p>Before deciding, Tom asked that Dr. Miles at the Bureau of Mines be +circuited into the telephone conversation. Mr. Swift, too, joined in on +another line. The four scientists discussed the problem and referred to +geologic maps. Finally the exact sites were agreed upon.</p> + +<p> +<span class = "pagenum">117</span> +<a name = "page117"> </a> +"Dad, I'm going to deliver and install one of those Quakelizors myself," +Tom declared, after the telephone conference ended. "Judging from that +phone impostor last night, there's no telling what sort of trick our +enemies may try next!"</p> + +<p>Mr. Swift approved heartily. "Good idea, son. In the meantime, I'll +see what I can accomplish with Ole Think Box here."</p> + +<p>Tom notified Uncle Ned of the delivery sites. He requested that +because of the urgency of the situation, Swift planes transport the +Quakelizors. Mr. Newton promised to have five cargo jets loaded and +prepared for take-off from the construction company airfield.</p> + +<p>Next, Tom turned to the job of rounding up flight crews. He decided +that Hank Sterling, Arv Hanson, Art Wiltessa, and a crack Swift test +pilot, Slim Davis, would each captain a plane.</p> + +<p>Tom was just hanging up the telephone when Chow wheeled in a lunch +cart, bearing sizzling servings of steak for the two Swifts.</p> + +<p>"How's Ole Think Box comin' along?" Chow inquired.</p> + +<p>"All right now, but he went berserk a while back," Tom replied with a +chuckle.</p> + +<p>Chow eyed the robot apprehensively and made a hasty exit. Both Tom +Jr. and Tom Sr. were amused.</p> + +<p> +As they ate, the two scientists continued their +<span class = "pagenum">118</span> +<a name = "page118"> </a> +discussion on how to equip Exman with senses and the power of speech. +Several minutes later, when they were finishing dessert, Bud came into +the laboratory.</p> + +<p>"Tom, what's this about you hopping off somewhere to install a +Quakelizor?" he asked anxiously.</p> + +<p>"Don't worry, pal. I'll need my usual copilot," Tom said with a grin. +"Just didn't have time to call you before lunch. We'll be flying down to +a place called San Rosario in the Caribbean."</p> + +<p>At one o'clock Tom briefed the flight crews and technicians. Slim was +provided with three men who had worked on the original model of the +quake deflector. After making sure that every man knew his job, Tom had +the groups flown by helicopter over to the Swift Construction Company +airfield.</p> + +<p>Tom and Bud's cargo jet was the second to take off. On signal from +the tower, the big workhorse thundered down the runway and soared off +into the blue. Soon it was spearing southward above the waters of the +Atlantic.</p> + +<p>Presently Bud drew Tom's attention to some blurry specks of light on +the radarscope. "Looks like a formation of planes, skipper."</p> + +<p>Tom studied the blips for a while. "Guess you're right. It's sure not +a flock of sea gulls!" The young inventor frowned.</p> + +<p>"Worried, Tom?" Bud asked quietly.</p> + +<p> +<span class = "pagenum">119</span> +<a name = "page119"> </a> +Tom shrugged. "It could be a routine military flight."</p> + +<p>He increased speed and climbed for altitude. But the blips on the +radarscope showed that the planes were coming steadily closer. It was +clear that they were targeting on the Swift cargo jet.</p> + +<p>Tom switched on the radio. Presently a voice crackled over their +headphones:</p> + +<p>"Calling Swift jet!" The voice was heavily accented.</p> + +<p>"Brungarians!" Bud muttered.</p> + +<p>Tom made no reply to the radio challenge. Again came the voice:</p> + +<p>"Calling Swift jet! Make emergency landing on the water!"</p> + +<p>Tom's only response was a fresh burst of speed. Gunning the jet +motors, he sent the big cargo ship arrowing forward at supersonic +velocity.</p> + +<p>"There they are!" Bud cried suddenly. He pointed to a cluster of +silvery glints in the sky at seven o'clock.</p> + +<p>Tom zoomed downward into a billowing cloud bank. It was a feeble hope +and Tom knew it. His only real chance now was to outrun or outmaneuver +the marauders.</p> + +<p>The slim hope faded as they emerged from the cloud cover moments +later. The enemy planes were not only still dogging them, but closing in +rapidly. Sleek, needle-nosed attack ships, they appeared to have +seaplane hulls.</p> + +<p> +<span class = "pagenum">120</span> +<a name = "page120"> </a> +"Wow! Those are new ones!" Bud gasped.</p> + +<p>"Our last warning to Swift jet! Hit the water or be shot down!" came +the enemy voice.</p> + +<p>Tom raced along, his mind searching frantically for a method of +escape.</p> + +<p>Bud switched off radio power momentarily. "If we're going to be +hijacked, skipper, let's ditch your invention before it's too late!"</p> + +<p>Tom shook his head stubbornly. "Why should I let those pirates +bulldoze us? Actually, I think they're after Exman!"</p> + +<p>This last thought was a hunch that had just occurred to Tom. It was +clear that their foe had learned about the arrival of the energy from +space. "But so far," Tom reasoned, "there's no cause to suppose they +know anything about the quake deflectors."</p> + +<p>Stalling for time, Tom switched on the radio again and spoke into the +mike. "Swift jet to attack planes. Our home base is picking up every +word of your threats. Shoot us down and America will consider it an act +of war!... Care to risk it?"</p> + +<p>There was a moment's silence, then a reply. "War, you say? How can +there be a question of war? War against whom? You do not even know our +national identity!"</p> + +<p>"Don't kid yourselves, mister!" Bud put in with a snarl. "We know, +all right, and so does United States Intelligence!"</p> + +<p> +Tom decided to risk a blunt query, without +<span class = "pagenum">121</span> +<a name = "page121"> </a> +actually giving away any facts, in case his hunch about the Brungarian's +knowledge was wrong.</p> + +<p>"There was a phone call to Swift Enterprises last night," he radioed. +"We know it was a fake. We also know your agents are aware of our +visitor.... Right?"</p> + +<p>After a pause, the enemy spokesman replied, "Perhaps. If so, what +then?"</p> + +<p>"Just this," Tom radioed back. "If you're hoping to meet our visitor, +you're out of luck. I'll give you my word for it. Do you think we'd risk +such a valuable character in an unguarded crate like this?"</p> + +<p>Tom and Bud looked at each other. Somehow, both boys felt +instinctively that Tom's words had struck home. The enemy had certainly +risen to the bait.</p> + +<p>Finally came the reply. "You Swifts have a reputation for scrupulous +honesty." There was a slight sneer in the speaker's voice as if he +considered this a foolish weakness. "You give me your word of honor that +this—er—character is not aboard?"</p> + +<p>"I do!" Tom snapped. "And if you don't trust me, go ahead and risk a +war!"</p> + +<p>The boys waited breathlessly for the outcome of Tom's bold gamble. +Soon they saw the result. The pursuing planes suddenly peeled off and +sped away in the direction from which they had first appeared.</p> + +<p> +<span class = "pagenum">122</span> +<a name = "page122"> </a> +"Whew!" Bud wiped his hand across his face and drew it away moist with +perspiration. "How do you like that?"</p> + +<p>Tom chuckled with relief. "I like it fine, fly boy. But I was sure +worried there for a while!"</p> + +<p>Less than an hour later, the big cargo jet touched down at the San +Rosario airport. An armed guard was on hand to greet the boys, under +command of an officer named Captain Sanchez. He had brought along a work +crew of soldiers and also a geology expert, Professor Leone, from the +island's small technical school.</p> + +<p>"I have selected a spot on the eastern shore of the island," the +professor told Tom. He unrolled a map and explained the site.</p> + +<p>"Excellent," Tom agreed.</p> + +<p>The Quakelizor parts, communications equipment, and small atomic +earth blaster were quickly unloaded and transported to the site by +trucks. In three hours the installation was finished.</p> + +<p>Tom, who spoke Spanish fairly well, explained to a small group of San +Rosario military technicians how the quake deflector worked. He also +detailed one of his own men to stay on as trouble shooter for the +setup.</p> + +<p>"And now," said Captain Sanchez, beaming, "we must relax and +celebrate the friendship of our two countries."</p> + +<p> +Tom and Bud, though eager to get home, hesitated to hurt the friendly +officer's feelings. They +<span class = "pagenum">123</span> +<a name = "page123"> </a> +sat through a delicious meal, followed by numerous speeches. When his +own turn to speak came, Tom used it to warn against possible sabotage +attempts by the Brungarians. At last the boys were allowed to take off +with their crew.</p> + +<p>"Swell guys," Bud said, when the boys were airborne, "but a bit hard +to break away from!"</p> + +<p>Tom grinned, then became serious. "You know, Bud," he said +thoughtfully, "those aerial hijackers gave me an idea."</p> + +<p>"Let's have it, skipper."</p> + +<p>"If only I could get Exman perfected so he would report back to me," +Tom explained, "I could <i>let</i> him be <ins class = "correction" +title = "normal spelling in this text">kidnaped</ins>. Think what a +wonderful 'inside man' he'd make in the enemy setup! He could tip us off +to everything the Brungarians were doing!"</p> + +<p>"Hey, that's neat!" Bud exclaimed, wide-eyed. "But how could you be +sure those Brungarian rebel scientists wouldn't change him somehow? I +mean they might brainwash him or something."</p> + +<p>"It's a risk," Tom agreed. "But that's my problem—how to make a +perfect spy out of him."</p> + +<p>It was midnight when the cargo jet touched down on the Enterprises +airfield. The boys slept soundly.</p> + +<p> +The next morning Tom reported to Mr. Swift and Harlan Ames the outcome +of his trip to San Rosario, including the attack en route by unmarked +sky raiders. He also privately told his +<span class = "pagenum">124</span> +<a name = "page124"> </a> +father about his plan to use Exman as an electronic spy. Mr. Swift was +enthusiastic.</p> + +<p>The two scientists promptly set to work. Mr. Swift built two powerful +but miniature radio sets; one for receiving, one for transmitting. Tom, +meanwhile, was busy on another device, also highly miniaturized, +combining features of both the electronic decoder and Tom's famous +midget computers, known as Little Idiots.</p> + +<p>With this equipment, Tom hoped, Exman would be able to monitor all +communications at Brungarian rebel headquarters, then radio the +information to Enterprises.</p> + +<p>Chow brought lunch to the laboratory at noon, and Bud came in later. +Both stayed to watch the outcome of the experiment. Hank Sterling and +Arv Hanson joined the group.</p> + +<p>By midafternoon the equipment was ready for a tryout. Tom opened +Exman's star head, inserted the gear, and made the delicate wiring +connections.</p> + +<p>"So far, so good," the young inventor murmured, stepping back. "Now +for the real test! Will Exman answer our questions?"</p> + +<p>Tom walked over to the electronic decoder brain and began to tap out +a message on the keyboard. The others waited in breathless suspense.</p> + + + + +<span class = "pagenum">125</span> +<a name = "page125"> </a> +<h5 class = "left chapter"><a name = "chap_15">CHAPTER XV</a></h5> +<h4>KIDNAPED!</h4> + + +<p><span class = "firstword">The</span> +message which Tom signaled in code over the electronic brain said:</p> + +<blockquote> +WE HAVE A DANGEROUS PLAN. IF PLAN WORKS, YOU MAY BE EXPOSED TO ENEMY +TAMPERING. WILL THIS BE SAFE? CAN YOU STAND THIS? +</blockquote> + +<p class = "space"> +There was a tense pause. Then the signal bell rang on the machine and +the keys began to punch out a reply on tape:</p> + +<blockquote> +NO ONE CAN ALTER THIS BRAIN NOR CAN THEY CHANGE ITS PURPOSE. THEY CAN +ONLY DESTROY THE ENERGY HOLDER. +</blockquote> + +<p class = "space"> +As Tom finished reading the message aloud, Chow gave a whoop of delight +and the whole group burst into spontaneous cheers.</p> + +<p> +"Terrific, skipper!" Bud exclaimed, clapping +<span class = "pagenum">126</span> +<a name = "page126"> </a> +his pal on the back. The others gathered around to add their +congratulations.</p> + +<p>Mr. Swift, beaming with pride, gave Tom a quick hand-squeeze. "It's +an amazing achievement, son. And it may prove to be the key for +unlocking the secrets of space, if and when we have time for some +research after this crisis is over."</p> + +<p>"I sure hope so, Dad," Tom murmured. Though jubilant, the young +inventor realized that this was only the first step in his plan to +checkmate the Brungarian rebels.</p> + +<p><i>The real perils still lay ahead!</i></p> + +<p>Tom called Harlan Ames and asked him to come to the laboratory for a +conference. When the security chief arrived, he was as impressed as the +others with the way Tom was able to communicate with Exman.</p> + +<p>"The problem now," Tom said, "is how do we have him kidnaped?"</p> + +<p>Chow, wary as a coyote, offered his opinion that the safest way would +be merely to leave the space robot unguarded somewhere about the grounds +of Enterprises.</p> + +<p>Ames shook his head. "Too obvious. They'd suspect a trap." Tom +agreed.</p> + +<p>"Wal, then, how about truckin' him along the highway hereabouts, as +if you all were sendin' him down to Washington?"</p> + +<p> +This, too, was vetoed on the grounds that a shrewd espionage agent would +guess that such +<span class = "pagenum">127</span> +<a name = "page127"> </a> +a valuable prize would never be entrusted to a slow and vulnerable +method of transport.</p> + +<p>"Then what about an air flight?" Hank Sterling suggested.</p> + +<p>"Brand my six-guns, that'd be jest beggin' to git yourself shot +down!" Chow fumed.</p> + +<p>"Not if we used a plane like the <i>Sky Queen</i>, equipped with jet +lifters," Hank argued. "If any hijack planes jumped us, they'd have to +let us come down safely in order to get their hands on Exman. We could +land on the water or just hover while they made the transfer."</p> + +<p>"And after they had it safe aboard their own plane, they'd blast +yours to smithereens!" Chow retorted.</p> + +<p>Tom, too, thought a plane flight unwise, but for different reasons. +It might look suspicious to the Brungarians after the Swifts had been +warned by one aerial hijack attempt. Also, they might be deterred by +fear of war, thinking that the United States Air Force would doubtless +be alerted to the possibility of attack.</p> + +<p>"So right," Ames agreed. After a thoughtful pause, he added, "Tom, +what about transporting Exman by submarine? We know that every spy +apparatus in this hemisphere is constantly trying to probe what goes on +at Fearing Island, where our subs are based."</p> + +<p>"No doubt about that," Tom conceded.</p> + +<p> +"So," Ames continued, "any move to Fearing +<span class = "pagenum">128</span> +<a name = "page128"> </a> +would certainly make the Brungarian agents prick up their ears. Their +own spy subs probably would come prowling around the island and detect +the departure of a Swift sub. And they might feel that an undersea +hijack attempt would be a fairly safe gamble."</p> + +<p>The others looked thoughtful, then slowly nodded in agreement. Ames's +reasoning sounded highly logical.</p> + +<p>"Tom, you'll insist on going, I suppose," Mr. Swift said +somberly.</p> + +<p>"Of course, Dad. After all, the kidnap plan was my own idea," Tom +replied. "Another thing I'll insist on is that you <i>don't</i> go. We +have Mother and Sandy to think of, and it's not right that both of us +risk our necks."</p> + +<p>Realizing that it was hopeless to dissuade his son, and realizing the +basic fairness of Tom's position, Mr. Swift did not argue. Bud, Hank, +Chow, and Arv immediately volunteered to accompany the young inventor on +his dangerous mission.</p> + +<p>Tom gratefully accepted their help. He asked all hands to assemble on +the Enterprises airfield at six the next morning for the flight to +Fearing.</p> + +<p> +After the others had left, Tom and his father resumed their experiments +with Exman. Mr. Swift suggested adding a device to the radio equipment +to make it disintegrate if tampered with. +<span class = "pagenum">129</span> +<a name = "page129"> </a> +"Before those rebel Brungarians can learn the secret of your +electronic spy."</p> + +<p>"Good idea, Dad. And how about our doing the job with Swiftonium?" +This was an unusual radioactive ore which Tom had discovered in South +America.</p> + +<p>Mr. Swift nodded as he began work.</p> + +<p>Tom watched admiringly as his father reconstructed the radio, coating +the entire thing with a Swiftonium compound. He at once placed the set +in a small oven which he raised to 50 degrees centigrade.</p> + +<p>"When this cools, the set will be stable," Mr. Swift said. "But if +you should move any part of it after it cools, all of the organic parts, +like the circuit boards, the insulation, the carbon resistors, etc., +will oxidize and disappear as gas. You will not even be able to tamper +with a single unit."</p> + +<p>"Wonderful, Dad," Tom murmured when the device was finished. +"I wish I had your know-how in microchemistry."</p> + +<p>"And I wish I had yours in electronics!" the elder scientist declared +with a chuckle.</p> + +<p>After Mr. Swift had installed the device in Exman's star head, Tom +used the electronic brain to inform the robot about the whole +scheme.</p> + +<p>Both Tom Jr. and Tom Sr. were delighted when Exman showed real +enthusiasm. It replied via the printed tape on the decoder:</p> + +<span class = "pagenum">130</span> +<a name = "page130"> </a> +<blockquote> +DO NOT WORRY, MY FRIENDS. I WILL NOT RESPOND TO ANY ATTEMPTS BY +BRUNGARIAN SCIENTISTS TO COMMUNICATE WITH ME. MY PLANET IS WELL AWARE OF +THEIR DANGEROUS AIMS. HAVING CONQUERED YOUR WORLD, THEY WOULD NEXT +INVADE SPACE. +</blockquote> + +<p class = "space"> +"Looks as though Exman's got their number, all right!" Tom said with +satisfaction.</p> + +<p>Early the next morning Mr. Swift drove Tom to the Enterprises +airfield to meet his friends. Hank Sterling, Bud, and Chow were already +on hand, and Arv Hanson arrived a few moments later. Tom and Bud left +the others to bring Exman in a small panel truck.</p> + +<p>Soon the space robot was safely loaded aboard a transport helicopter. +The others took their places inside the cabin.</p> + +<p>"Good luck, son!" Mr. Swift forced a smile as he gave Tom a parting +handshake.</p> + +<p>"Don't worry, Dad. I'll be back soon!" Tom assured him. The nature of +the trip had been described only vaguely to Mrs. Swift and Sandy in +order to keep them from worrying.</p> + +<p>The short hop overwater to Fearing Island was soon completed. Lying +just off the Atlantic coast, Fearing had once been a barren, +thumb-shaped expanse of scrubgrass and sand dunes. Now it was the +Swifts' top-secret rocket base, tightly guarded by drone planes and +radar.</p> + +<p> +<span class = "pagenum">131</span> +<a name = "page131"> </a> +As the helicopter approached its destination, Tom radioed for clearance, +then whirred down toward the landing field. The barracks, workshops, and +launching area of the base lay spread out in full view. Cargo rockets +bristled on their launching pads, along with Tom's spaceships, including +the mighty <i>Titan</i>, and the oddly shaped <i>Challenger</i> and +<i>Cosmic Sailer</i>.</p> + +<p>North and south, the island was fringed with docks. Here the recovery +tugs and fuel tankers were moored, as well as the Swifts' fleet of +undersea craft.</p> + +<p>Tom had chosen a cargo-hauling jetmarine, named the <i>Swiftsure</i>. +It was a larger version of his original two-man jet sub, the <i>Ocean +Dart</i>. He had given orders the night before to have it ready for sea +by morning.</p> + +<p>By jeep and truck, Tom's group sped across the island to the dock. +Exman was quickly lowered aboard through the sub's hatch. The others +followed, the conning-tower hatch was dogged shut, and soon the +<i>Swiftsure</i> was gliding off into the shadowy blue-green depths.</p> + +<p>"What's your sailing plan, skipper?" Hank Sterling inquired. The +quiet-spoken, square-jawed engineer stood beside Tom at the atomic +turbine controls and looked out through the transparent nose of the +jetmarine.</p> + +<p>"Go slow. Give 'em plenty of chance to pick up our trail," Tom +replied.</p> + +<p> +<span class = "pagenum">132</span> +<a name = "page132"> </a> +For two hours they cruised at moderate speed. Nothing happened. +Disappointed, Tom surfaced and radioed his father for news, after +cutting in the automatic scrambling device.</p> + +<p>"You're in time for an exciting flash," Mr. Swift reported +jubilantly.</p> + +<p>"What is it, Dad?"</p> + +<p>"An attempt to earthquake New York has just failed!"</p> + +<p>Grins broke out on the faces of the crew as they heard Mr. Swift's +words come over the loud-speaker. Bud let out a happy whoop.</p> + +<p>"That's great, Dad!" Tom said. "Maybe we've got 'em licked on the +quake front. No luck so far, though, on our new project."</p> + +<p>"Well, keep in touch and let me know at once if anything happens," +Mr. Swift urged.</p> + +<p>"Right, Dad!" Tom promised.</p> + +<p>Again the <i>Swiftsure</i> submerged. This time it was only a few +minutes before Arv Hanson gave a cry of warning.</p> + +<p>"Something on the sonarscope, skipper!"</p> + +<p>Bud, Hank, and Chow hastily gathered around the scope to watch. The +blip grew larger rapidly. It was clearly another submarine, closing in +on a collision course.</p> + +<p> +Tom put on a burst of speed, as if attempting to outrace their pursuer. +But he was careful to gauge his knots by reports from the sonarscope, in +order not to widen the gap between the two +<span class = "pagenum">133</span> +<a name = "page133"> </a> +craft. There seemed no danger that this would happen, although the +<i>Swiftsure</i> raced ahead faster and faster. Still the enemy sub +continued to close in like a marauding shark, finally passing Tom's +craft.</p> + +<p>"Some baby!" Bud muttered respectfully.</p> + +<p>The words were hardly out of his mouth when a missile streaked across +their bow, in plain view through the <i>Swiftsure's</i> transparent +nose. Its foaming wake rocked the jetmarine.</p> + +<p>"They're attacking us!" Bud cried out.</p> + +<p>Tom slammed shut the turbine throttle, bringing his craft to a +gliding halt in the water. At the same time, he switched on the +sonarphone.</p> + +<p>"Orders to Swift sub!" a voice barked over the set. "Surface and +heave to! No tricks, or the next missile will not be across your +bow!"</p> + +<p>Tom blew his tanks and sent the <i>Swiftsure</i> spearing upward. As +the conning tower broke water, Tom and his men swarmed up on deck. +Seconds later, a sleek gray enemy submarine knifed into view. Its hatch +opened and several men climbed out.</p> + +<p>To Tom's amazement, their leader was Samson Narko!</p> + +<p>Chow let out a yelp of rage. "Why, you sneakin', double-dyed, +bushwhackin' polecat!" the old Westerner bellowed. "We shoulda kept you +hawg-tied, 'stead o' lettin' you go free!"</p> + +<p> +Narko ignored the outburst and raised a megaphone +<span class = "pagenum">134</span> +<a name = "page134"> </a> +to his lips. "Hand over your cargo and do it quickly!"</p> + +<p>"What cargo?" Tom snapped back. "And what's the meaning of this +outrage? You realize this is piracy?"</p> + +<p>"I realize you will wind up on the bottom at the slightest show of +resistance!" Narko warned menacingly. "You know very well what cargo I +refer to! Now do not try our patience!"</p> + +<p>Tom and his crew pretended to put up a blustering, indignant front. +Chow was especially convincing, with a blistering torrent of salty Texas +invectives.</p> + +<p class = "illustration"> +<img src = "images/pic134_135.jpg" width = "562" height = "291" +alt = "(a submarine attacks the Swiftsure)"></p> + +<p> +Narko's only response was a barked-out order to his men in Brungarian. +Quickly the enemy submarine maneuvered closer until the two craft +<span class = "pagenum">135</span> +<a name = "page135"> </a> +were almost chockablock. Narko and his men then leaped aboard the +<i>Swiftsure</i>, armed with sub-machine guns and automatics.</p> + +<p>"I'm warning you, Narko—" Tom began angrily. But Narko cut the +young inventor short by a poke in his ribs with the gun muzzle, then +issued orders to two of his men to go below.</p> + +<p>Moments later, Exman was being hauled up through the hatch and +transferred aboard the raider. The Americans glared in angry +silence.</p> + +<p> +<span class = "pagenum">136</span> +<a name = "page136"> </a> +"Thanks so much, my stupid friends!" Narko taunted them with a jeering +laugh. Then he followed his crewmen as the last one scrambled back to +the enemy submarine.</p> + +<p>With laughs and waves, they disappeared into its conning tower. The +hatch was clamped shut and the raider promptly submerged.</p> + +<p>Tom and his men were amazed, but delighted at not having been taken +prisoner along with Exman. All of them broke into happy chuckles of +relief.</p> + +<p>"Wow! That's what I call fast service!" Bud exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"It was sure a blamed sight easier'n I expected," Chow said. "Thought +fer a while we might end up feedin' the fishes!"</p> + +<p>"You put on a real act, Chow!" Tom said, clapping the stout old cook +on the back. "Well, they've taken the bait. Now let's hope it pays +off—for us!"</p> + +<p>The Americans swarmed below again, closed the hatch, and submerged. +Tom took his time in bringing the jet pumps up to speed. "Wonder if we +should pretend to proceed on course, or turn around and head for home?" +he murmured to Hank.</p> + +<p>Hank's reply was cut short by a yell from Hanson at the +sonarphone.</p> + +<p>"Missile coming, skipper! Straight at us!"</p> + + + + +<span class = "pagenum">137</span> +<a name = "page137"> </a> +<h5 class = "left chapter"><a name = "chap_16">CHAPTER XVI</a></h5> +<h4>A UNIQUE EXPERIMENT</h4> + + +<p><span class = "firstword">"Bearing?"</span> +Tom cried.</p> + +<p>"One-seven-five!" Arv Hanson sang out.</p> + +<p>Tom gunned his port jet turbine and swung the <i>Swiftsure</i> hard +right. The abrupt turn at high speed sent the craft sideslipping crazily +like a skidding race boat.</p> + +<p>"Here she comes, skipper!" Bud yelled. He had rushed to the +sonarscope with the other members of the crew.</p> + +<p>Tom's maneuver had carried them a good hundred yards off the +missile's course. Now he yanked a lever, pulling the cadmium rods still +farther from the atomic pile, in order to increase power and jet-blast +their sub still farther out of range.</p> + +<p>But suddenly the men at the scope blanched. "The missile's turning +too!" Hank cried. "It's homing in on us!"</p> + +<p> +Unlike most Swift craft used on scientific +<span class = "pagenum">138</span> +<a name = "page138"> </a> +expeditions, the cargo sub's hull had not been coated with Tomasite. +This would have insulated it from all magnetic effects or any form of +pulse detection. Tom had chosen the <i>Swiftsure</i> partly for this +very reason, so that the Brungarian rebels could easily pick up its +trail after leaving Fearing.</p> + +<p>How ironic if his choice should prove fatal! As the thought flashed +through Tom's brain, the missile came streaking into view through the +sub's transparent nose.</p> + +<p>By this time, Tom had flipped up the <i>Swiftsure's</i> diving +planes. The craft plummeted deeper into the ocean depths.</p> + +<p>"Brand my whale blubber, she's turnin' again!" Chow gulped. The +missile's arc, as it veered around to follow, painted a streak of light +on the sonarscope.</p> + +<p>Anxious moments raced by while Tom steered their craft in a deadly +game of tag with the sub-killer. Gradually the missile appeared to be +losing momentum.</p> + +<p>"It's slowing down, all right!" Arv called out.</p> + +<p>In a few minutes the missile had lost so much way that Tom was easily +able to outdistance it. The crew crowded to the scope, heaving sighs of +relief. The missile, its velocity spent, sank harmlessly toward the +bottom.</p> + +<p>"Boy, what a close call!" Bud gasped weakly. "You played that thing +like a toreador sidestepping a bull, Tom! Nice going!"</p> + +<p> +<span class = "pagenum">139</span> +<a name = "page139"> </a> +The others echoed Bud's sentiments, with fervent handshakes and +backslaps for Tom's skillful evasive action.</p> + +<p>"Jest the same," said Chow, "I'd sure like to make Narko an' them +Brungarian hoss thieves dance a Texas jig with a little hot lead sprayed +around their boot heels! Sneakin' bushwhackers! It's jest like I told +Hank about his airplane scheme—they'd try to gun us down, like as +not, soon as they got their hands on Exman!"</p> + +<p>"I guess you had them figured right, Chow," Tom agreed wryly. "Well, +at least we've lost their sub!"</p> + +<p>The Brungarian raider was no longer visible even as a faint blip on +their radarscope. Evidently Narko had thought the jetmarine a sure +victim and headed back to his own base.</p> + +<p>Nevertheless, Tom steered a wary zigzag course back to Fearing. When +they arrived at the island, he immediately telephoned Bernt Ahlgren and +Wes Norris in Washington to report the hijacking of the space brain. +Both men praised the young inventor for his daring scheme to outwit the +ruthless Brungarian rebel clique.</p> + +<p>"If your idea pays off, Tom, we should be able to checkmate every +move those phonies and their allies make!" Norris declared.</p> + +<p> +"I'm hoping we can do even better than that," Tom replied. "Part of my +plan is to help the Brungarian loyalists through Exman's tip-offs. +<span class = "pagenum">140</span> +<a name = "page140"> </a> +With some smart quarterbacking, we might be able to rally the rightful +government before all resistance is crushed out."</p> + +<p>"Terrific!" Norris exclaimed. "Let's hope your scheme works!"</p> + +<p>Tom had ordered the space oscilloscopes to be manned constantly, both +at Fearing and at Enterprises, in case of a flash from Exman. But no +word had yet been received when Tom and his companions arrived at the +mainland late that afternoon.</p> + +<p>Mr. Swift greeted his son warmly at the airfield. Tom had refrained +from radioing the news to Enterprises after the hijacking and the +missile attempt. Any such message, Tom feared, might be picked up by the +enemy and bring on another attack. But the young inventor had telephoned +his father immediately after calling Washington.</p> + +<p>Now Mr. Swift threw his arm affectionately around the lanky youth. +"You look pretty well bushed, son. Why not hustle home and call it a +day? That goes for the rest of you, too," he added to Bud, Chow, and the +others. "You've just risked your lives and the strain is bound to +tell."</p> + +<p>Tom urged his companions to comply. "But I'm sticking right here," +the young inventor told his father. "I want to be on hand the +minute Exman contacts us."</p> + +<p> +Bud insisted upon staying with his pal. The two boys ate a quiet supper +in Tom's private +<span class = "pagenum">141</span> +<a name = "page141"> </a> +laboratory and finally lay down on cots in the adjoining apartment. But +first Tom posted a night operator to watch the electronic brain.</p> + +<p>"Wake me up the second that alarm bell goes off," he ordered.</p> + +<p>"Okay, skipper," the radioman promised.</p> + +<p>No message arrived to disturb the boys' rest. Tom felt a pang of +worry as he dressed the next morning, and then relieved the man on duty +at the decoder. Had the Brungarians somehow outwitted him? Surely Exman +should have reported by this time!</p> + +<p>"Relax, pal," Bud urged. "Our space chum's hardly had time to learn +any secrets yet. Besides, those Brungarian scientists are probably +giving him the once-over with all sorts of electronic doodads. Why risk +sending a message till he has something important to tell us?"</p> + +<p>"That's true," Tom admitted.</p> + +<p>Chow brought in breakfast. "You jest tie into these vittles, boss, +an' stop frettin'," the cook said soothingly. "I reckon Ole Think +Box won't let us down."</p> + +<p>Tom sniffed the appetizing aroma of flapjacks and sausages. "Guess +you're right, Chow," he said with a chuckle.</p> + +<p> +As the boys ate hungrily, Tom's thoughts turned back to the problem of +how to equip Exman with senses. He talked the project over with Bud. +Most of his ideas were too technical for Bud +<span class = "pagenum">142</span> +<a name = "page142"> </a> +to follow, but he listened attentively. He knew the young inventor found +it helpful to have a "sounding board" for his ideas.</p> + +<p>"Too bad I didn't have time to tackle the job before Exman was +kidnaped," Tom mused. "Think how much more he could learn with 'eyes' +and 'ears'!"</p> + +<p>"Stop crabbing," Bud joked. "Isn't an electronic spy with a brain +like Einstein's good enough?"</p> + +<p>Mr. Swift arrived at the laboratory an hour or so later. He found Tom +setting up an experiment with a glass sphere to which were affixed six +powerful electromagnets. Two shiny electrodes, with cables attached to +their outer ends, had also been molded into the glass. Bud was looking +on, wide-eyed.</p> + +<p>Tom explained to his father that he had blown the sphere himself, +following a formula adapted from the quartz glass used for view panels +in his space and undersea craft.</p> + +<p>"What's it for, son?" Mr. Swift asked, after studying the setup +curiously.</p> + +<p>"Don't laugh, Dad, but I'm trying to produce a brain of pure energy. +A substitute for Exman, so we can go ahead with our sensing +experiments."</p> + +<p> +Mr. Swift reacted with keen interest and offered to help. "But remember, +son," he cautioned, "at best you can only hope to produce an ersatz +brain energy—which will be vastly different +<span class = "pagenum">143</span> +<a name = "page143"> </a> +from the real thing. Don't forget, Tom, the mind of a human being or any +thinking inhabitant of our universe is based on a divine soul. No +scientist must ever delude himself into thinking he can copy the work of +our Creator."</p> + +<p>"I know that, Dad," Tom said soberly. "Man's work will always be a +crude groping, compared to the miracles of Nature. All I'm hoping to +come up with here is a sort of stimulus-response unit that we can use +for testing any sensing apparatus we devise."</p> + +<p>The two scientists plunged into work. First, a bank of delicate +gauges was assembled to record precisely every electrical reaction that +took place inside the sphere. Then Tom threw a switch, shooting a +powerful bolt of current across the electrodes. The field strength of +the electromagnets, controlled by rheostats, instantly shaped the charge +into a glowing ball of fire!</p> + +<p>"Wow! A real hothead!" Bud wisecracked, trying to hide his +excitement.</p> + +<p>Tom grinned as he twirled several knobs and checked the gauges. The +slightest variation in field strength triggered an instant response from +the ball of energy. Mr. Swift tried exposing it to radio and repelatron +waves. Each time the gauges showed a sensitive reaction.</p> + +<p>"Looks as if we're in business, Dad!" Tom said jubilantly.</p> + +<p> +Bud left soon afterward as the two Swifts +<span class = "pagenum">144</span> +<a name = "page144"> </a> +buckled down to work on the problem of perfecting an apparatus to +simulate the human senses. Each concentrated on a different line of +approach.</p> + +<p>At noon they broke off briefly for a lunch wheeled in by Chow. Then +silence settled again over the laboratory.</p> + +<p>Tom had rigged up a jointed, clawlike mechanical arrangement with +sensitive diaphragms in its "finger tips." The diaphragms were connected +to a transistorized circuit designed to modulate the field current to +the electromagnets.</p> + +<p>Suddenly the young inventor looked up at his father with a glow of +triumph.</p> + +<p>"Dad, I just got a reaction to my sense-of-touch experiment!"</p> + + + + +<span class = "pagenum">145</span> +<a name = "page145"> </a> +<h5 class = "left chapter"><a name = "chap_17">CHAPTER XVII</a></h5> +<h4>AN URGENT WARNING</h4> + + +<p><span class = "firstword">Mr. Swift</span> +looked on eagerly as Tom explained and demonstrated his touch apparatus. +By moving a pantograph control, Tom was able to manipulate the claws +like a hand with fingers. Whenever they touched any material, the brain +gauges instantly registered an electrical reaction inside the +sphere.</p> + +<p>The swing of a voltmeter needle showed how firmly the substance +resisted the claw's touch, thus indicating its hardness or softness.</p> + +<p>"With a computer device, such as we planted in Exman," Tom went on, +"the brain would also be able to assimilate the textural pattern of any +substance."</p> + +<p>"Wonderful, son!" Mr. Swift exclaimed. "I hope I can do as well +with this artificial sense of sight I'm working on."</p> + +<p> +<span class = "pagenum">146</span> +<a name = "page146"> </a> +Another hour went by before Mr. Swift was ready to test his own +arrangement.</p> + +<p>"You've probably heard of the experiments conducted with blind +persons," he told Tom. "By stimulating the right part of their brain +with a lead from a cathode-ray-tube device, an awareness of light and +dark can be restored."</p> + +<p>Tom nodded.</p> + +<p>"Well, I'm using the same principle," Mr. Swift went on, "but with a +sort of television camera scanning setup."</p> + +<p>He asked Tom to draw the drapes and shut off the room lights, +throwing the laboratory into complete darkness, except for the weirdly +glowing "brain" in the glass sphere. Then Mr. Swift shone a flashlight +at the scanner. The brain responded by glowing more brightly itself!</p> + +<p>Next, after the drapes were opened again and the overhead fluorescent +lights switched on, Mr. Swift painted a pattern of black-and-white +stripes on a large piece of cardboard. He held this up to the +scanner.</p> + +<p>Visible ripples of brightness and less-brightness passed through the +glowing ball of energy inside the sphere. It was reproducing the striped +pattern!</p> + +<p>"Dad, that's amazing!" Tom said with real admiration.</p> + +<p> +Mr. Swift shook his head. "Pretty crude, I'm afraid. The brain energy by +itself can't take the +<span class = "pagenum">147</span> +<a name = "page147"> </a> +place of a picture tube in a TV receiver. What we need is an analog +computer to sum up the scanning pattern picked up by the camera tube and +then pass this information along in code form."</p> + +<p>Before Tom could comment, the alarm bell rang on the electronic +brain. The Swifts dropped everything and rushed to the machine.</p> + +<p>"Wonder if it's Exman?" Tom exclaimed.</p> + +<p>The answer was quickly revealed as the keys began punching out the +incoming message on tape. At the same time, a flow of strange +mathematical symbols flashed, one after another, on the lighted +oscilloscope screen mounted above the keyboard.</p> + +<p>Tom and his father read the tape as it unreeled.</p> + +<blockquote> +SPACE BEINGS TO SWIFTS. REQUEST INFORMATION ON PROGRESS AND RESULTS OF +ENERGY SENT TO YOUR PLANET. +</blockquote> + +<p class = "space"> +After a quick consultation with his father, Tom beamed out the +reply:</p> + +<blockquote> +WE ARE PLEASED WITH RESULTS SO FAR. FURTHER EXPERIMENTS NOW GOING ON. +REQUEST VISIT TO CONTINUE LONGER THAN TWENTY-ONE DAYS AS PLANNED. +</blockquote> + +<p class = "space"> +Hopefully the Swifts stood by the machine. Would their space friends +agree? As the minutes went by without a response coming through, father +and son exchanged anxious glances.</p> + +<p> +<span class = "pagenum">148</span> +<a name = "page148"> </a> +"They've <i>got</i> to let Exman stay, Dad!" Tom said.</p> + +<p>Mr. Swift nodded. "I'm afraid, though, the space beings have decided +otherwise. They—"</p> + +<p>He was interrupted by the ringing of the alarm bell. "Message, Dad!" +Tom said tersely.</p> + +<p>A moment later they were overjoyed to see three words appear on the +tape:</p> + +<blockquote> +VISIT EXTENSION GRANTED. +</blockquote> + +<p class = "space"> +Relieved, the two scientists went back to work on their sensing +experiments. Twenty minutes later the signal bell rang again on the +electronic brain.</p> + +<p>"This time it <i>must</i> be Exman!" Tom cried.</p> + +<p>The unreeling tape quickly bore out his guess.</p> + +<blockquote> +EXMAN TO SWIFTS. TWENTY-FOUR-HOUR EARTHQUAKE UNDER HIGH LOYALTY. +</blockquote> + +<p class = "space"> +"What!" Tom stared at the tape, his brow creased in a puzzled frown. +"That 'twenty-four-hour earthquake' bit must mean he's warning us that a +quake will occur in twenty-four hours. But what about the rest +of it?"</p> + +<p>"Hmm... 'Under high loyalty.'" Mr. Swift was as baffled as Tom. He +studied the message for several minutes. It seemed highly unlikely that +the electronic brain had made an error in decoding. Any new or +untranslatable symbol caused a red light to flash on the machine.</p> + +<p> +<span class = "pagenum">149</span> +<a name = "page149"> </a> +"I think the only thing we can do is signal Exman and ask for a +clarification, Tom," Mr. Swift decided at last.</p> + +<p>Tom agreed. He beamed out a hasty code signal:</p> + +<blockquote> +EXPLAIN MESSAGE. +</blockquote> + +<p class = "space"> +Seconds later came Exman's reply. It was identical with the first +message:</p> + +<blockquote> +TWENTY-FOUR-HOUR EARTHQUAKE UNDER HIGH LOYALTY. +</blockquote> + +<p> +<span class = "picture"> +<img src = "images/pic149.jpg" width = "337" height = "349" +alt = "(Tom Jr. and Tom Sr. read a message from Exman)"></span> + +<span class = "pagenum">150</span> +<a name = "page150"> </a> +Tom and Mr. Swift stared at each other anxiously.</p> + +<p>"Good night, Dad! This is horrible!" Tom exclaimed. "Exman sends us +ample warning of a disaster and we're stymied!"</p> + +<p>"Hi! What's going on, you two?" asked a merry voice. "More heavy +thinking?"</p> + +<p>Sandy Swift stood smiling in the doorway. The smile gave way to a +look of concern as Tom explained the crisis.</p> + +<p>"How dreadful!" Sandy gasped. "We <i>must</i> figure out what it +means!... Wait a minute!"</p> + +<p>Tom looked at her expectantly. "Got an idea, Sis?"</p> + +<p>"Well..." The pretty, blond teen-ager hesitated. "You don't suppose +Exman might have been translating some foreign words with a meaning +similar to 'high loyalty'? For instance, high loyalty could mean 'good +faith.' I know that in Latin 'good faith' would be <i>bona +fide</i>."</p> + +<p>"Sandy! You've guessed it!" Tom crossed the room in a single bound, +gave his sister a quick hug, and whirled her around. "Exman must mean +the Bona Fide Submarine Building Corporation! He didn't dare risk +telling us the exact translation."</p> + +<p> +"Of course!" Mr. Swift was equally jubilant. But his face was grave as +he added, "The company's located on the West Coast close to the +<span class = "pagenum">151</span> +<a name = "page151"> </a> +San Andreas fault. Tom, a quake in that area could be devastating!"</p> + +<p>"You're right, Dad," the young inventor replied. "I'll call Dr. Miles +and Bernt Ahlgren at once!"</p> + +<p>The telephone conversation that followed was grim with tension. Both +government men begged Tom to take personal charge of the +quake-deflection measures. Dr. Miles pointed out that tremors along the +fault might trigger off a chain of quakes amounting to a national +disaster.</p> + +<p>After a hasty discussion, Tom agreed that he should station himself +at the Colorado site, rather than at the West Coast Quakelizor +installation. This would give him broader scope for damping out shock +waves across the continent.</p> + +<p>"I'll fly out immediately!" the young inventor promised.</p> + +<p>Ahlgren, meanwhile, would flash orders to the Bona Fide Company and +to civilian officials to have the entire area evacuated as soon as +possible.</p> + +<p>Hasty preparations were made for Tom's departure. He telephoned the +airfield to have a jet plane with lifters readied for take-off. He also +had Bud paged over the plant intercom. The copilot came on the run. When +he heard the news, he was eager to accompany his pal.</p> + +<p>"Listen, you two! I insist you have something to eat before you +leave!" Sandy declared.</p> + +<p> +<span class = "pagenum">152</span> +<a name = "page152"> </a> +Tom was impatient over any delay. When Sandy proceeded to call Chow, the +old Texan solved the problem by volunteering to go along as cook.</p> + +<p>A short time later Chow came jouncing out to the airfield astride a +motor scooter, hauling a cart loaded with supplies.</p> + +<p>"Good grief!" Tom said, unable to suppress a grin. "We'll be back +tomorrow, unless something goes wrong!"</p> + +<p>"Bring food—that's my motto," Chow retorted, "like any good +cook."</p> + +<p>Minutes later, after a parting handshake from his father and a +worried kiss from Sandy, Tom sent the sleek jet racing down the runway +for take-off. Soon they were air-borne and heading westward. Chow served +a tasty meal en route.</p> + +<p>It was still daylight when the jet landed vertically in the Colorado +canyon. The government crew manning the installation, and the Swift +technician who had relieved Art Wiltessa as trouble shooter on the +setup, greeted them eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Looks as if we're in for a real test, Tom," said Mike Burrows, the +engineer in charge.</p> + +<p>"Let's hope we pass!" said Tom, holding up crossed fingers.</p> + +<p> +He checked every detail of the Quakelizor, power plant, and the +communications gear. He opened an inspection panel in each of the +dual-control +<span class = "pagenum">153</span> +<a name = "page153"> </a> +spheres and tuned the kinetic-hydraulic units so as to step up the +working pressure of the four powerful drivers.</p> + +<p>"Well, all we can do now is wait," the young inventor muttered, +wiping his arm across his forehead.</p> + +<p>Tom passed the night in a fitful sleep, half expecting to be wakened +at any moment by the stand-by crew on watch. No alarm occurred, +however.</p> + +<p>Dawn broke, and Chow delighted all hands with a hearty breakfast of +bacon, eggs, and corn fritters. More hours of waiting +dragged by.</p> + +<p>"What time do you think the attack will occur?" Bud asked.</p> + +<p>Tom shrugged. "The 'twenty-four-hour' business may have been +approximate. But I'd say from two o'clock on is the danger period."</p> + +<p>The young inventor checked frequently with Washington and the other +crews stationed around the country. Suddenly the radiotelephone operator +gave a yell.</p> + +<p>"Your father is on the line, skipper!"</p> + +<p>The scientist was calling from the receiver-computer headquarters at +Enterprises. "Exman has reported a quake pulse will be sent in seven +minutes—at 21.36 G.M.T."</p> + +<p>"I'm ready, Dad," Tom said, then asked for various technical details +before hanging up.</p> + +<p> +He passed the word to the crew and glanced +<span class = "pagenum">154</span> +<a name = "page154"> </a> +at his watch. A hasty, last-moment inspection was carried out, every man +checking certain details of the setup.</p> + +<p>Soon the pulsemakers began ticking inside the dual-control spheres as +they picked up the frequency signal by radio. Tom studied the gauge +dials.</p> + +<p>Tension mounted rapidly among the waiting group. The same thought was +throbbing through every mind:</p> + +<p><i>Was the nation on the brink of a terrible disaster? Or would Tom +Swift's invention safeguard the threatened area?</i></p> + +<p>As the deadline approached, Tom pushed a button. The mighty hydraulic +drivers throbbed into action, sending out their pulse waves across the +continent!</p> + + + + +<span class = "pagenum">155</span> +<a name = "page155"> </a> +<h5 class = "left chapter"><a name = "chap_18">CHAPTER XVIII</a></h5> +<h4>EARTHQUAKE ISLAND</h4> + + +<p><span class = "firstword">Now</span> +came the hardest part of all for Tom and his companions—waiting to +learn if the shock deflectors had succeeded in blotting out the enemy +quake wave.</p> + +<p>No one spoke. As the silence deepened inside the cave, the suspense +became almost unbearable. Minutes passed.</p> + +<p>"When will we know, skipper?" a crewman ventured at last.</p> + +<p>"Soon, I hope," Tom replied tersely.</p> + +<p>But the waiting seemed endless. Bud's eyes met Tom's. The flier +grinned and held up crossed fingers, just as Tom had done to Mike +Burrows the previous evening. Tom managed a feeble grin in response.</p> + +<p>Suddenly the telephone shrilled, shattering the silence of the cave. +Tom snatched it from the radioman's hands.</p> + +<p> +<span class = "pagenum">156</span> +<a name = "page156"> </a> +"Tom Swift here!... Yes?... Thank heavens! I guess we can all be +grateful, Dr. Miles!"</p> + +<p>"Providence protected us, I'm sure, Tom," the seismologist replied at +the other end of the line. "But in this instance it worked through Tom +Swift's Quakelizors! The Bona Fide plant and the surrounding area never +even felt the tremor—your quake deflectors worked perfectly!"</p> + +<p>There was no need to tell the others. Tom's words on the telephone +and the grin on his face told the story. A spontaneous volley of cheers +echoed through the cave as he hung up. Then the crew crowded around to +slap Tom on the back and shake his hand.</p> + +<p>"I hope the whole country learns what you've done, Tom," Mike Burrows +said. "If it doesn't, I'll be the first to spread the word as soon as +the secrecy lid's taken off!"</p> + +<p>"Shucks, I knew all along Tom's contraption would do the trick!" Chow +boasted, glowing with pride over his young boss's achievement.</p> + +<p>Tom could only smile happily. "Guess we can go home now," he said to +Bud and Chow.</p> + +<p>They were preparing to leave when another flash from Washington came +over the radiotelephone. A ship's captain, five hundred miles out on the +Pacific, had just reported sighting a great waterspout, accompanied by +considerable wave turbulence.</p> + +<p> +"It could have been the spot where the enemy +<span class = "pagenum">157</span> +<a name = "page157"> </a> +shock waves and our deflector waves met and damped out," Tom +commented.</p> + +<p>"Dr. Miles thinks so, too," the caller said.</p> + +<p>Soon the sleek Swift jet was arrowing back across the continent. En +route, Tom radioed word of his latest triumph to Mr. Swift. As always, +he used the automatic scramblers to make sure any enemy eavesdroppers +would pick up only static.</p> + +<p>"Great work, son!" Mr. Swift congratulated Tom. "I was confident +you could handle the situation with your Quakelizors."</p> + +<p>"Thanks, Dad. See you soon."</p> + +<p>When the jet finally landed at Enterprises and came to a halt on the +runway, the control tower operator spoke over the radio.</p> + +<p>"Harlan Ames would like to see Tom Jr. at the security building. He +left word just a few minutes ago."</p> + +<p>"Roger!" Tom replied.</p> + +<p>Chow frugally carted off his leftover supplies. Tom and Bud, +meanwhile, went by jeep across the plant grounds to security +headquarters.</p> + +<p>Ames greeted the two boys enthusiastically. "Nice going on that +earthquake situation, Tom!" he said. "And now I have some more good +news. We've just nabbed the man who imitated your father's voice over +the phone the other night."</p> + +<p>"What!" Both boys were excited, and Tom added eagerly, "Who +is he?"</p> + +<p>"An actor at the Shopton summer playhouse."</p> + +<p> +<span class = "pagenum">158</span> +<a name = "page158"> </a> +"How did you find out?" Tom asked.</p> + +<p>"I had a hunch," Ames went on. "If the impersonator wasn't a plant +employee at Enterprises, then he had to be a person with a trained +voice. That gave me the idea of checking on all actors and station +announcers here in the vicinity. It paid off right away. The guy's name +is Brent Nolan."</p> + +<p>"Have you questioned him yet?" Tom asked.</p> + +<p>"I'm about to," Ames replied. "Radnor just brought him in."</p> + +<p>The security chief led the way into an adjoining office. A slender, +good-looking young man with blond wavy hair was seated on a chair with +Phil Radnor on one side of him and a Shopton police officer on the +other. The actor was visibly nervous and perspiring.</p> + +<p>"This is Tom Swift Jr.," Ames told him. "Brent Nolan."</p> + +<p>Nolan nodded. "Yes, I've seen your picture in the papers many times." +The actor tried to force a smile but his face muscles twitched. +"I—I seem to have pulled a pretty dumb stunt by faking that phone +call from your father. I'm sorry."</p> + +<p>"What was the reason?" Tom asked.</p> + +<p>Nolan fingered his wavy blond hair uneasily and swallowed hard. "A +man named Professor Runkle paid me to do it."</p> + +<p>"Professor Runkle?" Tom frowned. The name seemed vaguely +familiar.</p> + +<p> +<span class = "pagenum">159</span> +<a name = "page159"> </a> +"He spoke with a foreign accent. Said he was doing research at Grandyke +University," Nolan explained. "He told me you might be expecting a rare +biological specimen from the East Indies. He said both of you were eager +to get hold of it for research purposes, but he was afraid that you had +outbid him. However, if he asked you straight out, you would guard the +secret very jealously. So he hired me to find out."</p> + +<p>"Didn't it occur to you he might be an espionage agent?" Ames asked +coldly.</p> + +<p>Nolan seemed shocked. "Believe me, I had no such idea!" he averred. +"Runkle seemed pleasant. He said it all was merely a short cut to save +him from wasting any more time on the project. If Tom Swift had the +specimen, he would quit. I—I guess I'm a little bit vain about the +way I can mimic voices, and this gave me a chance to show off. Besides, +I saw no harm in doing it."</p> + +<p>"No harm?" Bud snorted. "You had Swift Enterprises in a real lather +when we found out."</p> + +<p>Nolan spread his hands in a helpless gesture. "I'm truly sorry," he +repeated.</p> + +<p>"How were you able to find out how my father's voice sounded?" Tom +asked.</p> + +<p>"I listened to a recording of a speech he made at the Fourth of July +rally here in Shopton," Nolan explained. "I borrowed the tape from +a local radio station. Guess that's how your security men got +onto me."</p> + +<p> +<span class = "pagenum">160</span> +<a name = "page160"> </a> +"What did this fellow Runkle look like?" Ames asked.</p> + +<p>Nolan thought for a moment. "Oh, he was past middle age, I should +say. Grizzled hair, thick-lensed glasses. And he was quite +heavy-set."</p> + +<p>"Hmm. Then it certainly wasn't Narko," Ames murmured to Tom.</p> + +<p>The young inventor nodded. "I believe I know him. The name just came +back to me. I met a Professor Runkle in New York about a month ago, at a +scientific convention. He was a member of the visiting Brungarian +delegation."</p> + +<p>"We'll check on him," Ames promised. He turned back sternly to the +young actor. "All right, Nolan, I guess you can go. But I warn +you—no more impersonations."</p> + +<p>After more flustered apologies, the actor hurried out, obviously +relieved.</p> + +<p>"What a dumb egg he is!" Bud muttered.</p> + +<p>"In a way he may have helped us," Tom pointed out. "If the Brungarian +rebels hadn't found out about Exman, we couldn't have lured them into +that kidnap plot. It's already helped us to save the Bona Fide Submarine +Building Corporation."</p> + +<p> +Monday morning Ames reported that Professor Runkle had left the country. +Tom was not sorry, since an arrest and public trial might have led to +dangerous publicity about Exman. The probings of a sharp-tongued defense +attorney might even +<span class = "pagenum">161</span> +<a name = "page161"> </a> +have tipped off the Brungarian to Tom's real purpose in letting the +space brain be hijacked.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, a telephone call from Washington announced that State +Department men were flying to Enterprises to confer with the Swifts +about taking official action against the Brungarian attacks. The group +arrived by jet after lunch. Thurston of the CIA was also present.</p> + +<p>"The problem is this," a State Department official said as they +discussed the matter in the Swifts' office. "Should we bring charges +against Brungaria before the United Nations? Or should we rely on other +means, short of war, to block the Brungarian rebel coup?"</p> + +<p>Mr. Swift frowned thoughtfully. "It might be difficult to prove they +were responsible for the earthquake attacks," he pointed out.</p> + +<p>"I'd say it's impossible," Tom said, "unless we give away the secret +about our electronic spy." He paused, then added, "Sir, if the State +Department will agree, I'd like more time before you make any official +moves."</p> + +<p>The Quakelizors, Tom argued, seemed to offer protection against any +future quake waves, unless the power of the shocks was greatly stepped +up. Meantime, working through Exman, Tom might be able to provide the +Brungarian loyalists with valuable information. "I'm hoping it will help +them overthrow the rebel clique and their brutal allied military +bosses."</p> + +<p> +<span class = "pagenum">162</span> +<a name = "page162"> </a> +The State Department men conferred, then Thurston spoke up quietly, "In +our opinion, it's worth a gamble."</p> + +<p>After the group had left, the Swifts resumed their sensing +experiments in Tom's private laboratory. They were hard at work when the +signal bell suddenly rang on the electronic brain.</p> + +<p>The two scientists rushed to read the incoming message. It said:</p> + +<blockquote> +EXMAN TO SWIFTS. ONE ENEMY EARTHQUAKE PRODUCER IS AT... +</blockquote> + +<p class = "space"> +Here the message gave precise latitude and longitude figures. It went +on:</p> + +<blockquote> +RUIN OF SWIFT PLACE IN ONE WEEK. +</blockquote> + +<p class = "space"> +Tom and his father gasped in dismay. "I thought the New York-New England +Quakelizor was going to protect us!" the young inventor exclaimed. "Our +enemies must have located another earth fault with Enterprises right in +its path!"</p> + +<p>Hastily opening an atlas, Tom fingered the location of the proposed +source of attack. It was Balala Island off the coast of Peru.</p> + +<p>"Dad, that settles it!" Tom declared grimly. "It's clear now that +those Brungarian rebels want to destroy us and use Exman in some way to +conquer the earth!"</p> + +<p>"I don't doubt that you're right, son," Mr. Swift said grimly. "We +must act fast! But how?"</p> + +<p> +<span class = "pagenum">163</span> +<a name = "page163"> </a> +Again, the signal bell interrupted. This time, Exman gave a number of +military details, evidently picked up from orders issuing from +Brungarian rebel headquarters. They concerned incoming troop movements +from the north and operational plans for crushing out the last pockets +of resistance by loyal government forces.</p> + +<p>Tom recorded them with TV tape, then snatched up the telephone and +called the Central Intelligence Agency in Washington. He relayed the +information from Exman and asked if American agents could transmit it to +the loyalists.</p> + +<p>"Don't worry. We'll see that it reaches them," the CIA chief assured +Tom. "Many thanks. This <i>could</i> have important consequences."</p> + +<p>As Tom hung up he decided on a bold move. "Dad, I'm going to lead a +raid on Balala!"</p> + +<p>"A raid!" The elder scientist was electrified.</p> + +<p>"According to the atlas, the island is barren and deserted," Tom +said, "so no friendly power will object if we land there. If it's being +used as an enemy base for quake attacks against our country, we have +every right to investigate. I might be able to learn the secret of the +setup—perhaps even put the equipment out of commission."</p> + +<p>"Nevertheless, a raid by a United States force could lead to trouble +if the base there puts up any resistance," Mr. Swift said gravely.</p> + +<p>"That's why I intend to handle it myself," Tom declared. "I'll take +all responsibility."</p> + +<p> +<span class = "pagenum">164</span> +<a name = "page164"> </a> +Tom Sr.'s eyes flashed as he recalled some of his own hair-raising +exploits in younger days. "All right, son," he said, putting a hand on +Tom's shoulder. "I know I can trust your judgment. Good luck!"</p> + +<p>Again Tom issued a call for volunteers. Bud, Hank Sterling, Arv +Hanson, and Chow were all eager to take part. Within an hour they were +taking off for Fearing. At the rocket base, they embarked in the <i>Sea +Hound</i>, Tom's favorite model of his diving seacopter. A powerful +central rotor with reversible-pitch blades, spun by atomic turbines, +enabled the craft to rise through the air or descend into the deepest +abysses of the ocean. Propulsion jets gave it high speed in either +medium.</p> + +<p>Loaded with equipment, the <i>Sea Hound</i> streaked southward +through the skies—first to Florida, then across the Gulf and +Central America into the Pacific. Here Tom eased down to the surface of +the water and submerged.</p> + +<p>It was near midnight when the <i>Sea Hound</i> rose from the depths +just off Balala. The lonely rocky island lay outlined like a huddled +black mass against the star-flecked southern sky. No glimmer of light +showed anywhere ashore.</p> + +<p>"Maybe no one's here," Bud murmured.</p> + +<p>"Don't bank on that," Tom said. "They wouldn't be apt to advertise +their presence to passing ships or planes."</p> + +<p> +<span class = "pagenum">165</span> +<a name = "page165"> </a> +Tom nosed inshore as closely as he dared from sonar soundings, finally +easing the <i>Sea Hound</i> up to a rocky reef that fingered out from +the beach. Then he, Bud, Hank, and Arv clambered out, armed with +wrecking tools and powerful flashlights.</p> + +<p>Chow, in spite of his muttered grumblings, was ordered to stay aboard +and guard the ship with the other two crewmen who had come along.</p> + +<p>Tom led his party cautiously ashore from the reef. They probed the +darkness of the beach. Their footfalls sounded eerily in the night +silence, broken only by the soughing of the sea wind and splash of +breakers.</p> + +<p>"Good place for spooks!" Bud whispered jokingly.</p> + +<p>A steep draw led upward among the rocky slopes. A hundred feet on, +Tom's group found the black yawning mouth of a cave. The yellow beams of +their flashlights revealed a tunnel leading downward inside. Tom checked +with a pocket detector. Its gauge needle showed no field force caused by +electrical equipment in operation.</p> + +<p>"Okay, let's go in!" Tom murmured.</p> + +<p>Cautiously they moved into the tunnel. Then suddenly ahead of them a +powerful dazzling light burst on, nearly blinding the searchers!</p> + + + + +<span class = "pagenum">166</span> +<a name = "page166"> </a> +<h5 class = "left chapter"><a name = "chap_19">CHAPTER XIX</a></h5> +<h4>A FIENDISH MACHINE</h4> + + +<p><span class = "firstword">A chill</span> +of fear gripped Tom and his companions as they blinked helplessly in the +glare! Had the enemy detected them the first moment they had set foot on +Balala Island? Had they walked blindly into a trap?</p> + +<p>Gradually Tom's eyes and those of his friends adjusted to the +dazzling radiance. A door, blocking the tunnel just ahead, had slid open +and the light was pouring out of a room beyond.</p> + +<p>"What happened?" Arv gasped.</p> + +<p>Tom pointed downward to a pedallike plunger inserted in the tunnel +floor. "This must be a switch," he explained. "When I stepped on it +accidentally, it must have opened the door and flashed on the +lights."</p> + +<p>Bud whistled. "Wow! Let's be thankful it wasn't a booby trap!"</p> + +<p>"Maybe it is," murmured Hank grimly.</p> + +<p> +<span class = "pagenum">167</span> +<a name = "page167"> </a> +Steeling their nerves, and with every sense alert, the searchers +advanced into the secret room.</p> + +<p>Tom suddenly gave a cry of amazement. "The earthquake machine!"</p> + +<p>A huge hydraulic device, with massive steel bed and supporting +pillars, looking somewhat like the enormous body presses found in +automobile plants, stood embedded in a recess in one wall.</p> + +<p>Tom rushed to the machine and examined it in fascination. A powerful +diesel generator stood nearby with banks of complicated electrical +equipment, amid a spider-web tangle of wiring. Tom assumed this gear was +for timing and synchronizing the shock waves. Evidently the whole setup +was operated from a single control panel in the wall, studded with knobs +and dials.</p> + +<p>"What a job of design!" Tom exclaimed in awe. His eyes roved over +every detail of the equipment while he poked here and there with his +hands. He was getting the "feel" of the setup almost as much by touch +and handling as by his superb technical intuition. "Boy, I hate to +admire anything those Brungarian rebel scientists do, but this is really +masterful!"</p> + +<p>"Yes? Well, don't go ga-ga over it," said Bud. "Let's do what we came +to do and scram out of here. This place makes me jumpy!"</p> + +<p> +Tom appeared oblivious. "It seems like vandalism to wreck such an +engineering achievement! Also, and this may sound strange to you," he +went +<span class = "pagenum">168</span> +<a name = "page168"> </a> +on in a doubtful tone, "are we <i>really</i> justified in taking the law +into our own hands?"</p> + +<p>"They're trying to wreck <i>our</i> setup, aren't they?" Bud +retorted. "Think of the destruction they've caused already! Do you want +to stand by and see Enterprises destroyed too?"</p> + +<p>"Bud's right," Hank Sterling spoke up quietly. "Take a look at +this."</p> + +<p>He beckoned them over to another corner of the cave and pointed to a +series of notations, crudely scrawled in white chalk on the cave wall. +Half hidden behind a clump of rock, they would have escaped casual +notice.</p> + +<p>Tom read them and gave an angry gasp. A list of places and dates, +already checked off, showed the quakes that had occurred so far. The +last notation, not yet checked, said: SWIFT ENTERPRISES and was dated +five days ahead.</p> + +<p>"Okay, that's all the convincing I need!" Tom said grimly.</p> + +<p>He issued quick orders. Hank and Arv were to rush back to the <i>Sea +Hound</i>, get an underwater pump from the gear carried aboard, and +install it just off the beach. From there, they were to run a pipe line +up into the cave, using special plastic tubing which hooked together in +a jiffy.</p> + +<p>"Cover the piping with sand and gravel, so it won't be noticed," Tom +added. "In the meantime, Bud and I will go to work on this setup +here."</p> + +<p>"Aye-aye, skipper!" Hank and Arv responded.</p> + +<p> +<span class = "pagenum">169</span> +<a name = "page169"> </a> +As they hurried out through the tunnel, Tom and Bud set to work with the +tools they had brought along. The diesel was partly dismantled, sand +poured into its fuel feed, and the generator windings ripped out. The +boys then tore off and tangled all wiring leads to the electrical +equipment, took apart much of the equipment itself, and smashed the +control panel.</p> + +<p>"Boy, if those Brungarian creeps get this setup working again, +they're <i>really</i> geniuses!" Bud said as he and Tom paused a +second.</p> + +<p>"This is only the beginning, pal!" Tom said. "Let's tackle the +machine!"</p> + +<p>The huge earthquake device was a far more difficult proposition to +disable. Its heavy structural parts had to be disassembled or pried +apart, one by one. Both boys were streaked with sweat as they +finished.</p> + +<p>By this time, Hank and Arv had the piping installed halfway into the +tunnel. Spurred on as if by a sixth sense of danger, Tom told them to go +back to the beach and get the pump working while he and Bud connected +the few remaining pipe lengths into the machine room.</p> + +<p>Minutes later, their job done, Tom and Bud rushed out to the mouth of +the cave and waved their flashlights. Soon the water could be heard +boiling through the pipeline. It gushed out with a roar, flooding the +machine room.</p> + +<p>"Let's go!" Tom cried, yanking Bud's arm.</p> + +<p> +<span class = "pagenum">170</span> +<a name = "page170"> </a> +As they reached the beach and joined Hank and Arv, Tom's keen ears +picked up the drone of a plane somewhere in the darkness.</p> + +<p>He gave a yell of alarm and pointed skyward. A ghostlike jet came +zooming into view, boring straight toward them. All four broke into a +mad dash for the seacopter.</p> + +<p>They were halfway out on the reef when the plane leveled out of its +dive with an earsplitting whine.</p> + +<p>"Hide!" Tom shouted, fearing a bomb might be dropped.</p> + +<p class = "illustration"> +<img src = "images/pic170_171.jpg" width = "566" height = "276" +alt = "(Tom and friends are attacked by a ray gun from an airplane)"></p> + +<p> +<span class = "pagenum">171</span> +<a name = "page171"> </a> +All leaped for cover among the rocks. At the same instant, a fiery beam +like a bolt of lightning shot from the plane. It seared the spot on the +reef they had just vacated!</p> + +<p>"A ray gun!" Bud gasped.</p> + +<p>The plane's speed had already carried it far past the island. Before +it could maneuver around for another pass, Tom and his companions were +on their feet, racing for the safety of the <i>Sea Hound</i>.</p> + +<p>They were aboard and clamping shut the hatch lid as the jet made its +second pass. This time its fiery ray glanced harmlessly off the +seacopter's Tomasite sheathing. Seconds later, the <i>Sea Hound</i> had +darted off beyond reach into the ocean waters.</p> + +<p> +<span class = "pagenum">172</span> +<a name = "page172"> </a> +"Whew! We really broke all speed records that time!" Arv panted.</p> + +<p>The others looked at him with wan but triumphant grins. Then they +began to speculate on what the beamlike bolt was, who was in the plane, +and if their enemy knew who Tom's group were.</p> + +<p>Dawn was streaking the sky when the seacopter arrived at Fearing +Island. The adventurers flew back to Enterprises at once. Tom and Bud +snatched a few hours' sleep in the apartment adjoining Tom's +laboratory.</p> + +<p>Later in the morning the whole group gathered in Tom's laboratory to +recount the raid to Mr. Swift and Harlan Ames. A bell signal from the +electronic brain brought them rushing to the decoder. Grim news awaited +them. The message said:</p> + +<blockquote> +EXMAN TO SWIFTS. YOUR ENEMIES ARE NOW SURE I AM SPY. THEY PLAN TO +DESTROY ME. +</blockquote> + +<p class = "space"> +"No! It mustn't happen!" Tom cried in dismay. "Dad, I'll rescue him +myself!"</p> + +<p>His words were greeted with shocked protests from the others.</p> + +<p>"Don't be crazy!" Bud said. "You wouldn't have a chance!"</p> + +<p>"It would be suicide!" Arv Hanson declared.</p> + +<p> +Chow grabbed his young boss by the arm. "Brand my cayenne pepper, before +I'd let you +<span class = "pagenum">173</span> +<a name = "page173"> </a> +make a blame fool move like that, I'd rope an' hawg-tie you myself!"</p> + +<p>Ames interjected the most convincing argument. "I know how you +feel, Tom," he said sympathetically, "but I'm positive the United States +government would never permit such a risky undertaking."</p> + +<p>Tom was beside himself with anxiety. Not only had he worked and +struggled to make the space brain's visit a scientific success, but also +it was he who had thought of the scheme to use Exman as a spy. In Tom's +eyes, if the Brungarian rebels were to destroy the brain's body, it +would amount to murder! The young inventor knew that the destruction of +the "body" would not destroy the energy, but that it would be "lost" as +far as the earth was concerned.</p> + +<p>Who knew, Tom asked himself, what priceless secrets the "brain" might +ultimately yield to earth's scientific researchers? If the Brungarians +were to succeed, this might deter the Swifts' space friends from ever +attempting another visit to our planet!</p> + +<p>In despair, Tom turned to his father. "You know how much is at stake, +Dad!" he pleaded. "Isn't there something we can do?"</p> + +<p>Mr. Swift had been silent, thoughtfully drumming his pencil on the +workbench. He looked up.</p> + +<p> +"Tom, I can think of only one thing," he said. "Perhaps our friends on +Planet X can help us. +<span class = "pagenum">174</span> +<a name = "page174"> </a> +They said they would have no control over the energy until it was ready +to return home. But maybe we can get them to help us transfer the energy +back here—not by any means of earth transportation, but by some +extraterrestrial means known to their scientists."</p> + +<p>Tom's eyes kindled with hope. "Dad, that's a terrific idea!" he +exclaimed. "Let's try!"</p> + +<p>A message was quickly beamed out into space. Minutes went by. Then +the machine signaled a reply. It said:</p> + +<blockquote> +WE WILL ATTEMPT RESCUE IF YOU WILL ARC A POWERFUL RADIO BEAM FROM POINT +OF ORIGINAL EARTH LANDING TO POINT WHERE ENERGY IS NOW. +</blockquote> + +<p class = "space"> +Moments later, a further message followed, giving technical instructions +on how to project the beam. It ended:</p> + +<blockquote> +NOTIFY US WHEN SETUP IS READY. +</blockquote> + +<p class = "space"> +"Yahoo!" Chow whooped. "Brand my space guns, I reckon we'll get Ole +Think Box home safe after all!"</p> + +<p>"He's not home yet, Chow," Tom cautioned, grinning but still tense +with worry. "Glad you said that, though. It reminds me that the first +job on our hands is to build a new think box for Exman!"</p> + +<p> +With hope alive, Tom turned icy calm and +<span class = "pagenum">175</span> +<a name = "page175"> </a> +buckled down to the work at hand. Before beginning construction of a new +space robot, he contacted Exman via the electronic brain and asked him +for his exact location in Brungaria. The answer came in precise latitude +and longitude.</p> + +<p>Next, Tom radioed instructions for the rescue plan. As soon as Exman +was notified that the invisible force from Planet X was ready to +transport his energy, he was to unlatch point five of his star head. He +would then be free to attach his energy to the rescue beam and be arced +back to the hillside spot near Enterprises, where Tom would have a new +robot body waiting.</p> + +<p>Exman replied tersely:</p> + +<blockquote> +MESSAGE UNDERSTOOD. WILL COMPLY. +</blockquote> + +<p class = "space"> +Tom snapped out orders. "Hank! Arv! Bud! And, Dad, we can sure use your +help too! Every hour may be precious! We must construct a replica of +Exman's robot container as fast as possible!"</p> + +<p>Every resource of Swift Enterprises was convulsed into action. But +for all their scientific miracles, the staff could not perform magic. +The complicated robot device required hours of highly skilled +construction.</p> + +<p> +Darkness had fallen by the time the energy container was ready. +Meanwhile, a powerful transmitter and directional antenna had been set +up at the hillside spot. Extensive reports on the condition +<span class = "pagenum">176</span> +<a name = "page176"> </a> +of the ionosphere poured into headquarters.</p> + +<p>The Swifts and their small group of trusted associates trucked the +new robot and the electronic brain out to the site. Tom then signaled +his space friends that he was ready. They responded with the exact time +for the rescue attempt. Tom transmitted the information to Exman, who +replied:</p> + +<blockquote> +DANGER NEAR. BRUNGARIAN SCIENTISTS READY TO DESTROY ME. +</blockquote> + +<p class = "space"> +"Great bellowin' buffaloes!" Chow gulped. "Please make it quick, Tom! We +got to save that space critter!"</p> + +<p>Tom glanced at his illuminated watch dial. The countdown ticked by. +Suddenly his hand closed a switch, transmitting the rescue beam. More +moments passed as the Swifts and the watchers strained their eyes toward +the night sky.</p> + +<p>"Here it comes!" Bud yelled suddenly.</p> + +<p>A fiery bluish-white light had suddenly flamed into view. It grew +steadily larger. Tom poised the container and opened one point of the +star head.</p> + +<p>Now the blue fireball was arcing down over the hillside, trailing its +orange-red comet tail. It hissed into the container and Tom snapped shut +the star head.</p> + +<p>The next moment, the young inventor wavered and slumped +unconscious!</p> + + + + +<span class = "pagenum">177</span> +<a name = "page177"> </a> +<h5 class = "left chapter"><a name = "chap_20">CHAPTER XX</a></h5> +<h4>THE ROBOT SPY'S STORY</h4> + + +<p><span class = "firstword">"Tom!"</span> +his father cried. Anxiously the others crowded around the lanky young +inventor, who had fallen beside the new robot.</p> + +<p>"Stand back! Give him air!" Bud urged. "How is he, Mr. Swift?"</p> + +<p>The elder scientist was feeling Tom's wrist. "His pulse is beating, +but it's a bit weak. He must have received a terrific shock from all +that energy!... Tom!... Tom, son, can you hear me?"</p> + +<p>The young inventor moaned and stirred faintly but his eyes did not +open. His cheeks and lips seemed colorless in the glow of Mr. Swift's +flashlight. Chow was terrified, hovering about helplessly.</p> + +<p>"I'll call Doc Simpson to bring a pulmotor!" Hank exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"Yes, do, Hank!" Mr. Swift pleaded. "Quick!"</p> + + +<p> +<span class = "pagenum">178</span> +<a name = "page178"> </a> +An ambulance arrived a few minutes later. Doc Simpson and an attendant +leaped out, and the resuscitation equipment—specially designed by +the Swifts for their plant infirmary—was hastily unloaded.</p> + +<p>Anxious moments followed, but finally Tom began to respond to the +treatment. Soon his eyes were open and he regained full consciousness. +As Doc held a paper cup of water for him to sip, Tom smiled wanly.</p> + +<p>"Okay." he murmured, "I'm all right now. Sorry if I scared you, Dad." +He started to get up.</p> + +<p>"It's a hospital bed for you, skipper. And no arguments!" Doc Simpson +said sternly. "What happened here?"</p> + +<p>"I believe," Mr. Swift answered, "that our space friends, in finding +a way to move the energy back to us, had less close control over it on +earth than when they sent it from space."</p> + +<p>By midmorning the next day, Tom had awakened refreshed from a good +night's sleep and felt normal again. Over Doc Simpson's protests, he +insisted upon dressing and hurrying over to his laboratory.</p> + +<p>Here he found his father working intently amid a jumble of mechanical +parts, tools, and electronic equipment. Nearby stood Exman with a panel +open in his upper body, exposing the controls and output equipment.</p> + +<p> +<span class = "pagenum">179</span> +<a name = "page179"> </a> +"Hi, Dad!" Tom exclaimed as he strode into the laboratory. "What's doing +with Ole Think Box?"</p> + +<p>Mr. Swift looked up with a smile of relief. "'Morning, son! All well +again? That's wonderful! I'm just giving Exman an artificial speech +mechanism. He's already briefed us via the electronic brain on the +situation in Brungaria. But I thought it would be even better if he +could tell us in person."</p> + +<p>Details on the earthquake plot, Mr. Swift went on, had already been +reported to the Defense Department. Tom's raid on Balala Island had +effectively blocked further quake attempts.</p> + +<p>The Brungarian rebels had become enraged by their failure to extract +Exman's secrets, and had decided to disintegrate the robot creature and +its brain energy. But the youthful Brungarian loyalist group had kept +them so busy with resistance outbreaks that they had delayed too +long.</p> + +<p>"Lucky thing!" Tom put in with an affectionate grin at Exman. "If +they had started to destroy him half an hour sooner, it might have been +pretty sad for Ole Think Box!"</p> + +<p> +Tom was intrigued by his father's design for an artificial speech +mechanism. After talking it over, they decided that Tom would go to work +on a central computer device to integrate all the senses. He would also +provide Exman with "ears," +<span class = "pagenum">180</span> +<a name = "page180"> </a> +which would be sound-reception equipment. Mr. Swift, meanwhile, would +continue work on the speech mechanism and also perfect the seeing +equipment he had started earlier.</p> + +<p>The day sped by as the two Swifts worked with feverish intensity. +Lunch was eaten from their workbenches, but the inventors reluctantly +halted at dinnertime.</p> + +<p>After a tasty meal of fried chicken at home with Mrs. Swift and +Sandy, both Toms returned to the plant. Father and son labored until +well past midnight on their experiments. Then they snatched a few hours +of sleep and resumed their tasks early the next morning.</p> + +<p>By early afternoon an atmosphere of excitement pervaded Enterprises. +The visitor from Planet X would soon be able to communicate directly +with his earth friends! Bud, Chow, Hank Sterling, Arv Hanson, and Art +Wiltessa gathered in the laboratory, along with several other Swift key +men. Mrs. Swift, Sandy, and Phyl also arrived to watch.</p> + +<p>At last the sensing equipment was completed and installed. Exman was +ready to speak!</p> + +<p>His voice came out haltingly, but as the words were selected from a +vast taped collection, they were clear and bold:</p> + +<blockquote> +GREETINGS TO YOU, MY EARTH FRIENDS! +</blockquote> + +<p class = "space"> +Sandy gave a squeal of delight and the room echoed with applause for +Exman's first effort. +<span class = "pagenum">181</span> +<a name = "page181"> </a> +After a few adjustments, he was able to speak more freely and +smoothly.</p> + +<p>Tom whispered to Phyl, "Confidentially, we had a dummy run before +lunchtime. At first, all Exman could do was croak like a frog."</p> + +<p>Phyl, thrilled by the spectacle of a speaking space creature, gave +the young inventor's hand a squeeze. "Tom, he's just wonderful!"</p> + +<p>Tom agreed. "Our country owes him a lot for exposing the Brungarian +rebel schemes."</p> + +<p>To Tom's amazement, Exman's "ears" picked up his murmured words, even +above the babble of the spectators crowding the room.</p> + +<p>"Your country owes you much, Tom Swift," the creature said. "You +conceived the idea of an electronic spy and found ways to block the +rebels' destructive earthquake plans."</p> + +<p>As Tom flushed at the crowd's applause, Exman continued, "Unless I am +mistaken, you will soon learn that you have accomplished even more."</p> + +<p>Tom was mystified by this. Meanwhile, the spectators listened +spellbound as Exman went on talking, telling what he had learned of the +valiant resistance efforts to overthrow the Brungarian rebels.</p> + +<p>A short time later the telephone rang. Tom answered, and the operator +informed him that John Thurston of Central Intelligence was calling.</p> + +<p> +<span class = "pagenum">182</span> +<a name = "page182"> </a> +"Great news, Tom," the CIA man said. "We've just learned that the +rightful Brungarian government forces have struck hard in the capital +city and at half a dozen other points. The rebel puppets and their +troops have been crushed completely!"</p> + +<p>Tom was enthusiastic over the news.</p> + +<p>"That's not all," Thurston went on. "In case you don't realize it, +the information which you supplied by means of your electronic spy is +chiefly what enabled the government forces to win out. They've promised +to dismantle the rebels' other two earthquake bases."</p> + +<p>As Tom hung up and relayed the electrifying news, Bud and the others +burst into cheers.</p> + +<p>"It is all due to Tom Swift and his secret assistant," Exman +said.</p> + +<p>Tom was puzzled by the remark but had no time to ask what he meant as +the people in the room crowded around to shake his hand. Mr. and Mrs. +Swift smiled proudly at their son's latest triumph. Phyl and Sandy +expressed their feelings by giving Tom a quick kiss.</p> + +<p>"Hey! Where do I come in?" Bud protested.</p> + +<p>Before the girls could answer, the door of the laboratory opened and +Harlan Ames walked in, accompanied by a lean, gray-eyed young man with +dark close-cropped hair. <i>Samson Narko!</i></p> + +<p> +Chow let out a yelp of rage. "Why, brand +<span class = "pagenum">183</span> +<a name = "page183"> </a> +my sagebrush hash, it's that double-crossin' Brungarian—"</p> + +<p>"Hold it, Chow!" Ames cut short the outburst. "Allow me to introduce +one of America's most effective counterespionage agents, Mr. Samson +Narko!"</p> + +<p>Tom and his friends were astounded. Narko himself smiled somewhat +uncomfortably. "I can imagine how you all feel—you +especially, Tom. But, believe me, I could not risk pulling my punches +even when it put you all in grave peril, such as when I fired that +missile across the bow of your sub. I could only hope that Tom Swift +would succeed in eluding us."</p> + +<p>Ames quickly briefed the others on Narko's background. +Brungarian-born, he had received his engineering training in the United +States and had learned to love America. When he saw his own country +threatened by the forces of dictatorship, he had secretly offered his +services to the CIA against the rebels. Soon afterward, the agency had +approached him to become a counterspy.</p> + +<p> +"I dared not relax from my role as a spy for a moment," Narko added. +"I even grabbed the chance to plant that cache of firearms in +Latty's cellar to convince any rebel agents who might be watching me +that I was on their side. Tom, the rebels gave me the job of hijacking +your space robot. But, going on the brief messages that the +<span class = "pagenum">184</span> +<a name = "page184"> </a> +CIA was able to get through to me, I guessed that you were using it as +bait."</p> + +<p>"I guess we all owe <i>you</i> an apology," Tom said. "And our +thanks. We were lucky to have you on our side."</p> + +<p>"He saved the lives of a number of loyalist prisoners and gave the +government forces some vital tip-offs of his own," Ames added.</p> + +<p>As Tom shook hands with Narko, the young Brungarian said warmly, "It +is good to know that Tom Swift is my friend." With a chuckle, Narko +added, "I know from experience that you certainly make a dangerous +enemy!"</p> + +<p>As the others gathered around to speak to Samson Narko and add their +friendly congratulations, Bud slapped Tom on the back.</p> + +<p>"Well, skipper, what's next on the schedule?"</p> + +<p>For a moment Tom did not reply. He too wondered where his next +scientific adventure would lead him.</p> + +<p>Finally Tom turned to Bud. "I'm not sure. But who knows what space +secrets Exman may have up his mechanical sleeve!"</p> + +<hr> + +<!--dust jacket copy--> +<a name = "dust_jacket"> </a> + +<div class = "mynote"> +Section moved from beginning of book, in original order: +</div> + +<h4>TOM SWIFT AND THE<br> +VISITOR FROM PLANET X</h4> + +<h5 class = "serif">By VICTOR APPLETON II</h5> + +<p class = "dustjacket"> +<span class = "smallcaps">Tom Swift Jr.</span> and his associates at +Swift Enterprises wait breathlessly for what may well be the most +important scientific event in history—the arrival of the visitor +from Planet X—a visitor in the form of energy. But there are +factions at work determined to snatch the energy, which Tom has named +Exman, from the young scientist-inventor's grasp. First, a series of +unexplainable, devastating earthquakes threaten to destroy a good +portion of the earth, and Tom suspects the Brungarian rebels who +obviously would like to capture Exman and use the space visitor to +further their own evil purposes. +</p> + +<p class = "dustjacket"> +With the security of Enterprises and Exman at stake, Tom creates two of +his greatest inventions—a Quakelizor to counteract the simulated +earth tremors, and a container or "body" to house the energy from outer +space. +</p> + +<p class = "dustjacket"> +If the earthquakes cannot be stopped, the entire world will be +threatened by destruction, and the Brungarian forces will conquer the +earth. How Tom utilizes all his scientific knowledge to produce +swift-action results and outwit the Brungarians makes one of the most +exciting Tom Swift adventures to date. +</p> + +<p class = "dustjacket center"> +GROSSET & DUNLAP <i>Publishers</i><br> +<span class = "smallcaps">New York</span> 10, N. Y. +</p> + +<!--inside cover--> + +<p class = "illustration page"> +<img src = "images/inside_blue.jpg" width = "576" height = "420" +title = "Inside Cover" alt = "Inside Cover (Tom Swift in his lab)"> +</p> + +<hr> + +<!--first title page--> + +<h1>TOM SWIFT AND THE</h1> + +<h1>VISITOR FROM PLANET X</h1> + +<hr class = "mid"> + +<!--list of titles--> + +<h4>THE NEW TOM SWIFT JR. ADVENTURES</h4> + +<h5>BY VICTOR APPLETON II</h5> + +<h5 class = "serif">TOM SWIFT AND HIS FLYING LAB<br> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS JETMARINE<br> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS ROCKET SHIP<br> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS GIANT ROBOT<br> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS ATOMIC EARTH BLASTER<br> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS OUTPOST IN SPACE<br> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS DIVING SEACOPTER<br> +TOM SWIFT IN THE CAVES OF NUCLEAR FIRE<br> +TOM SWIFT ON THE PHANTOM SATELLITE<br> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS ULTRASONIC CYCLOPLANE<br> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS DEEP-SEA HYDRODOME<br> +TOM SWIFT IN THE RACE TO THE MOON<br> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS SPACE SOLARTRON<br> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRONIC RETROSCOPE<br> +TOM SWIFT AND HIS SPECTROMARINE SELECTOR<br> +TOM SWIFT AND THE COSMIC ASTRONAUTS<br> +TOM SWIFT AND THE VISITOR FROM PLANET X</h5> + +<hr> + +<div class = "mynote"> +Typographical errors have been corrected and marked in the text +with <ins class = "correction" title = "like this">mouse-hover +popups</ins>.<br> +Illustrations with a vertical "gutter" were printed across facing pages +of the physical book.<br> +<br> +<i>Have a bookmark!</i> +</div> + +<p class = "illustration"> +<img src = "images/swiftspine.jpg" width = "675" height = "89" +alt = "spine of illustrated book cover"> +</p> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Tom Swift and The Visitor from Planet X, by +Victor Appleton + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TOM SWIFT AND THE VISITOR *** + +***** This file should be named 17985-h.htm or 17985-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/1/7/9/8/17985/ + +Produced by Louise Hope, Greg Weeks and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +http://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at http://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit http://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including checks, online payments and credit card +donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + http://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + +*** END: FULL LICENSE *** + + + +</pre> + +</body> +</html> + diff --git a/17985-h/images/frontis.jpg b/17985-h/images/frontis.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..d025fb1 --- /dev/null +++ b/17985-h/images/frontis.jpg diff --git a/17985-h/images/inside_blue.jpg b/17985-h/images/inside_blue.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..174a88b --- /dev/null +++ b/17985-h/images/inside_blue.jpg diff --git a/17985-h/images/pic111.jpg b/17985-h/images/pic111.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..5c5a379 --- /dev/null +++ b/17985-h/images/pic111.jpg diff --git a/17985-h/images/pic134_135.jpg b/17985-h/images/pic134_135.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..9654e75 --- /dev/null +++ b/17985-h/images/pic134_135.jpg diff --git a/17985-h/images/pic149.jpg b/17985-h/images/pic149.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..e7b6d08 --- /dev/null +++ b/17985-h/images/pic149.jpg diff --git a/17985-h/images/pic170_171.jpg b/17985-h/images/pic170_171.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..2b80b8c --- /dev/null +++ b/17985-h/images/pic170_171.jpg diff --git a/17985-h/images/pic21.jpg b/17985-h/images/pic21.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..c77e23f --- /dev/null +++ b/17985-h/images/pic21.jpg diff --git a/17985-h/images/pic2_3.jpg b/17985-h/images/pic2_3.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..5d86277 --- /dev/null +++ b/17985-h/images/pic2_3.jpg diff --git a/17985-h/images/pic43.jpg b/17985-h/images/pic43.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..3bb69f3 --- /dev/null +++ b/17985-h/images/pic43.jpg diff --git a/17985-h/images/pic60_61.jpg b/17985-h/images/pic60_61.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..6a6c827 --- /dev/null +++ b/17985-h/images/pic60_61.jpg diff --git a/17985-h/images/pic80_81.jpg b/17985-h/images/pic80_81.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..5cc74ba --- /dev/null +++ b/17985-h/images/pic80_81.jpg diff --git a/17985-h/images/pic96.jpg b/17985-h/images/pic96.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..783c9d8 --- /dev/null +++ b/17985-h/images/pic96.jpg diff --git a/17985-h/images/swiftcover.jpg b/17985-h/images/swiftcover.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..210445c --- /dev/null +++ b/17985-h/images/swiftcover.jpg diff --git a/17985-h/images/swiftspine.jpg b/17985-h/images/swiftspine.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..da98b39 --- /dev/null +++ b/17985-h/images/swiftspine.jpg |
