Appleton, Victor – Tom Swift Jr 04 – And His Giant Robot

Continuing down the corridor, Tom maneuvered his visitor and Bud toward a hall that ended at a locked supply room, then Tom pressed a button on 79

80 TOM SWIFT AND HIS GIANT ROBOT

a nearby panel. A fire door dropped with a bang behind them, sealing off the corridor and isolating the three of them from the rest of the building.

“What’s happening?” demanded Zoltan, turning around. “Where did that panel come from?”

Zoltan backed toward the fire door

Though tense, Bud gave a forced laugh. “Tom, somebody dropped the ball after the third strike!”

“What ball?” the visitor yelled. “What’s the matter with you guys? Are you talking in riddles?”

“From the looks of things,” Tom remarked calmly, “it seems the runner was caught off base.”

“Caught? What?”

The boys sprang into action. Tom went toward Zoltan as Bud grabbed for a wall telephone. The man backed toward the fire door.

DEAD-END TRAIL 81

“No use, Pins,” said Tom. “We know who you are and right now you’re cornered. There’s no place for you to run. This door doesn’t go up until the police are on the other side. They’ll come as soon as I give Bud the signal to call them.”

Tom paused. “But first, I want a few facts from you.”

Zoltan leered contemptuously. “You’ll learn nothing from me! You’ve got the wrong man. My name’s Shan-”

“Come on, Pins. We took an X-ray of you.” He showed Zoltan the photograph. “You can’t escape. Now, tell me, who is the mastermind behind this move against us?”

Pins remained silent, glaring in hatred.

“Word got around that you and your gang had given up bank robbing,” Bud put in, “but you pulled a beaut the other night.”