He released the air pressure and then switched the control lever to the open position. As a fresh surge of compressed air hit the piston, Tom smashed into the 86
A ROBOT AT WORK 87
door with his shoulder. There was a sudden explosion of air and the door gave way.
He pulled Bud’s arm in and locked the door as the copilot sank to the floor.
Then he rushed back to the pilot’s seat and took a quick look at the terrain.
Banking downward toward the river, he could see that he was approaching the city of Montreal. Tom radioed for medical assistance, then made a neat landing on the river. An ambulance was waiting to take Bud off the moment the air freighter stopped.
“Easy!” Tom called to the medicos, and explained what had happened to his friend, who now had lapsed into semiconsciousness.
They removed Bud at once to a hospital, Tom riding along in the ambulance.
While he waited for news of his friend’s condition, the young inventor telephoned the police and gave them the story. They impounded the freighter, and assured Tom that they would investigate the Excelsior Oil Company plant at once and let Tom know the result.
Next, Tom put in a call to Fearing Island. He spoke to Harlan Ames and reported the latest developments.
“Lucky you and Bud got out of that place alive,” he commented. “Suppose I send a plane up to bring you back.”
“Do that.”
Ames held the wire so that he might hear the report on Bud. A nurse came to tell Tom that his friend had regained consciousness and could be released from the hospital in a couple of hours. His