As the Sky Queen lost air speed and swept into a graceful downward arc, Tom went to check up on the damage in the laboratory. The slaked lime had A STARTLING ASCENT 113
done its work well, and a few minutes later the plane settled down on the airstrip.
While the Sky Queen was being thoroughly aired, Torn questioned every member of the crew in charge of the big ship to find out how the hydrofluoric acid had become uncapped. He learned that the accident was due to the careless handling of the container by one of the young men while installing it. The man felt so guilty that he offered to resign, but Tom would not hear of it.
“I’m relieved to know that it wasn’t sabotage,” the young inventor said.
In the meantime, temporary repairs were begun on the Flying Lab. It would be flown to Shopton later for a more complete job.
Toward evening, after the tested altimeter-navigational equipment had been installed in the rocket, Tom received a radiotelephone call from his father.
“Everything okay at home?” Tom asked quickly.
“Yes. Fine. But I’ve just received news from Washington that is rather disturbing,” Mr. Swift said. “One of our rivals is nearly ready to launch his rocket.”
“Good night!” Tom cried. “Well, we’ll have to speed things up here. Bring Mother and Sandy and the Newtons out to the island day after tomorrow. Bud and I will try to take off at two o’clock.”
“Listen, Tom,” Mr. Swift said gravely, “I want you to win the rocket race among nations, of course, but not at the risk of your life. Everything must be foolproof before you take off for space!”