Said he was a pinched-looking, hollow-eyed man, about forty years old and dark-haired.”
“Hmm.” Ted mulled over this news. “Well, that’s something to go on, anyhow.
Are the police looking for him?”
“Indeed they are!” said Ted’s mother thankfully. “They’re co-operating with Mr. Ames at Swift Enterprises. But so far they’ve had no luck. There’s nobody named Hampshire in the Shopton phone book or any official records. And they haven’t found a trace of any visitor in town of that description either.”
Ted did his best to reassure his mother about the mysterious Mr. Hampshire.
Nevertheless, the young engineer’s brow was creased in a worried frown as he replaced the telephone.
He was just leaving the dormitory office when the telephone rang again.
Since the clerk had left, Ted answered.
26 SPACE SOLARTRON
“There’s another longdistance call for Mr. Ted Spring,” the switchboard operator announced.
“This is Ted Spring speaking.”
The operator asked him to wait a moment, then a man’s voice cut in, speaking in a high-pitched, nasal whine. “Mr. Spring?”
“Speaking. Who is this?”
“This is Mr. Hampshire,” the voice replied. “No doubt you remember that I called you once before. I-”
“Just a minute,” Ted broke in suspiciously. “How did you find out where to reach me?”
“That’s of no importance. I’m calling to renew my offer of help in the case of your father’s accidental death. It so happens that I have some new evidence on that crash.”
“Such as?” Ted asked.
“Evidence which has never been brought out before-and evidence, I might add, which would be very embarrassing to the Swifts. Believe me, they would certainly settle out of court for plenty of cash!”