“Who’s the exception?” Tom asked eagerly.
“A man named Otto Jantree, who speaks with an accent. He’s not a pilot himself, but said he planned to engage one.”
“Otto Jantree,” Tom repeated thoughtfully.
“That name mean anything to you?” Billing inquired.
20 THE RACE TO THE MOON
“Not offhand. But his accent might mean he’s a foreigner. He might even be an enemy agent. Better pass the word along to the security office at Enterprises.
Ask them to see what they can dig up on him.”
“Right, skipper!” Billing said, and hung up.
At that moment the alarm bell on the electronic brain signaled an incoming message.
“Something from outer space!” Tom cried exultantly.
All eyes watched intently as the keys punched out the message on tape: unknown disease has struck all animal life used for food supply on our planet. situation desperate. unable to find cure. can swift scientists solve problem and send help? repeat: situation desperate!
CHAPTER III
A SOLAR EXPERIMENT
TOM gasped with dismay as he read the news. If his space friends depended on animal food to sustain life, they might be wiped out!
“We’d better fly back to Shopton at once and confer with Dad,” he told Bud.
When they landed at Enterprises, the boys hurried to the Swifts’ private office. The spacious, modernistic room, which Tom shared with his father, contained two huge desks, drawing boards, and comfortable leather chairs. On display were models, tooled in plastic and metal, of Tom Sr.‘s and Tom Jr.‘s most famous inventions.
Mr. Swift was seated at his desk, a worried frown on his face. “This is grim news,” he said as Tom and Bud sat down.
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