The three studied the picture. Then Tom switched off the projector and adjusted the lights.
“Maybe it’s a guiding robot,” said Tom thoughtfully. He snapped his fingers.
“Do you suppose that it could be from our space friends?”
Tom referred to mysterious beings in outer space who some time ago had sent a meteorlike object plunging to the grounds of Swift Enterprises. On it were geometric figures which Tom and his father had translated, and later Mr. Swift had compiled a space dictionary from them. Messages had been sent and answers received on oscillograph screens, both at the plant and on board Tom’s rocket ship.
“They might have sent the missile disguised as a type of earth bird so as not to frighten people,” Bud suggested.
Mr. Swift shook his head. “I believe that they THE HEADLESS GIANT 13
would have contacted us first. But it wouldn’t hurt to send a message to them at once.”
“I hope they’re in a position to pick up our beam,” said Tom as he flipped on the scope and sent a small, then a large circle, followed by a series of interlocking triangles-the identification code used by the space beings. Tom now sent symbols asking if the strange bird belonged to them.
Bud and the Swifts waited eagerly. For a few minutes the oscillograph remained blank, then green mathematical symbols began to appear in rapid succession.
Before the Swifts had a chance to decipher them, Miss Trent, their secretary, buzzed the phone to say that Mr. Swift was wanted on long-distance. He switched the instrument to the out-of-town call.