Appleton, Victor – Tom Swift Jr 05 – And His Atomic Earth Blaster

The phone jangled shrilly.

58 TOM SWIFT AND HIS ATOMIC BLASTER

Tom answered it. “Hello? … Oh, hi! … Yes, we’re still here at the plant. My dad just got back from Washington… . What! … All right, fine! You stay there, and Bud and I will be right over to join you!”

As he put down the phone, his father flashed a quizzical glance.

“That was Harlan Ames,” Tom explained. “He thinks he’s found a secret exit from the Excelsis Club, and wants Bud and me to join him right away!”

Five minutes later the boys were speeding off in Bud’s red convertible.

Ames had arranged to meet them on the shore line of Lake Carlopa, just off Western Drive, a short distance from the Excelsis Club.

When they reached the meeting place, Bud turned the car off onto the grassy strip that ran between the paved roadway and the concrete embankment.

It was now completely dark, but at a shrill whistle from Tom, a light flashed from the water’s edge-Ames’ signal.

The boys clambered over the edge of the embankment and dropped into the waiting boat.

“I figured a rowboat would be safer than a motor-boat,” Ames explained.

“Quieter that way. I’ve greased the oarlocks, too.”

BRONICH VANISHES 59

Tom took the rower’s seat and Ames shoved off from the concrete wall. As they headed toward the Excelsis Club, a rising moon cast a silvery glow across the waters of the lake.

“Just where is this secret exit you found?” Tom asked.

“Wait till I show you,” said Ames. “If I’m right, it’ll explain how Bronich made his getaway without being seen!”

A few minutes later the security chief whispered to Tom, “Pull in here!”