Appleton, Victor – Tom Swift Jr 02 – And His Jetmarine

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82 TOM SWIFT AND HIS JETMARINE

“Sorry. I can’t help you on that one,” Kane said, adding, “Roger.”

Tom clicked off the set and turned to Bud. “If we could find out what the cargo on the Spray Cloud was, I believe it might answer a lot of questions.”

“Those poor guys,” Bud murmured.

Tom had already picked up the phone and was asking a secretary to find out what shipping company owned the Spray Cloud. In less than a minute she replied:

“The North-South Atlantic Company, offices in New York City.”

“Connect me with the traffic manager there,” Tom requested.

A few moments later he was talking with the official. After the man was assured of the young inventor’s identity, he gave him the desired information, which Tom relayed to Bud.

“Part of the Spray Cloud’s cargo was unimportant,” he said. “But the rest would be a pirate’s prize. It was uranium!”

“Uranium again!” Bud echoed.

Tom frowned. “Those pirates are doubtless planning more devilish raids, which might be carried out any moment. We’ll have to hurry things along so we can get started on our hunt. Let’s proceed with the Fat Man test,” Tom urged. “It’s getting late.”

Leading the way, he hurried to the water-pressure tank. Beside it on a hand truck lay what looked like two prehistoric dinosaur eggs. Folded around them were thin, jointed pieces of metal. Tom picked up one of the suits, Bud the other.

A CRUCIAL TEST

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“Your attention, folks!” Bud mimicked a circus barker. “Watch while we transform these Humpty Dumpties into men!”

He made a sweeping, magicianlike gesture as both boys unlocked the quartz window-doors. Then they climbed into the suits, and after quickly checking the mechanical devices, started to operate the controls. Slowly the pantograph arms and legs unfolded and moved into position. A few moments later the boys’