“The one with the yacht? I’ll never forget our cruise on the Primrose when I was a little boy and the fight with the shark,” Tom replied.
His father’s eyes lighted up too at the recollection. “Mr. Foster,” he said, “wants to talk over an idea he has for an invention. He has suggested doing it on board ship. I’ve accepted on the proviso that we head for Spaniel Island.”
“You may find Uncle Ned before I do,” Tom remarked. “Let’s make it a race.”
He laughed. “You have a head start, I have a faster craft.” Then he sobered. “But what about those blackout attacks? Maybe you ought to take one of the distorters with you.”
“Yes, I’ll have one put aboard,” his father said. “Although I doubt that the pirates will bother a yacht. They’re after cargo of greater value.”
“Very likely,” Tom responded. “But that gang has proved to be a deadly enemy, and you’re planning to head where the danger from them is greatest.”
The older inventor laid a hand on his son’s shoulder. “That’s why I’ve decided to leave here secretly tonight and travel incognito. But as for the danger, you and I are in this together, Tom, to save a life.”
The two exchanged understanding smiles and the 80 TOM SWIFT AND HIS JETMARINE
conversation turned to other topics. It finally reverted to the subject of the Fat Man, and Mr. Swift exacted a promise from Tom that the escape suit would be completely foolproof before he would start his trip.
At eleven o’clock the next morning, the time set for the test, a group gathered at the outdoor tank to watch the exhibition. With the engineers were Mrs. Swift, Sandy, and her friend Phyllis.