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

Tom drove his right fist angrily into the palm of his left hand. “What a fool I was not to suspect him right from the first! It was a perfect setup!”

“You mean he was only faking unconsciousness?” asked Bud.

“Of course. The thief probably remained hidden inside the copter till we took Landis to the infirmary. Then he sneaked out and grabbed the blueprints while the door to my lab was standing open. After

82 TOM SWIFT AND HIS ATOMIC BLASTER

that, all he had to do was lie low and wait for Landis to fly him out again this morning!”

“Sounds as if you’ve hit the nail right on the head, chum,” agreed Bud.

“Which means our job now is to find Landis.”

“If he has a pilot’s license, we may be able to trace him through the CAA,”

said Ames. “I’ll give them a call right now.”

While Ames was talking to the Civil Aeronautics Administration, the two boys returned to Tom’s laboratory, where Chow Winkler served them lunch. Shortly after two o’clock, Ames called back.

Jerry Landis, he reported, was a licensed helicopter pilot. His credentials were all in order, although his present address was unknown. The police had been alerted to watch out for him, but so far neither Landis nor his helicopter had been found.

“Here’s something else that may interest you,” concluded Ames. “Our friend Landis is also a member of the Excelsis Club!”

Just as Tom was passing the news along to Bud, Sandy and her friend Phyllis Newton walked into the laboratory. Phyllis, a pretty girl with long dark hair and laughing brown eyes, was the daughter of Uncle Ned Newton.