Appleton, Victor – Tom Swift Jr 13 – And His Space Solartron

Ted digested this surprising statement. “And what’s your interest in all this?”

he inquired.

“I’m coming to that,” Hampshire went on smoothly. “Now, as proof of my good faith, I’m willing to pass on this information in exchange for some information on your part.”

“What do you mean by that?” Ted asked sharply.

“I mean that if you’ll just tell me when the Enterprises Journal is going to press, I’ll give you

THE MYSTERIOUS CALLER 27

some inside dope about that plane crash. That’s a fair offer, isn’t it?”

Ted was startled. What “inside dope” had Hampshire dug up? Ted was curious to learn more, but he mistrusted the caller’s motives.

“I don’t think I’d care to make a bargain like that,” Ted retorted.

“Don’t be a fool, Spring!” Hampshire’s voice turned nasty. “You’re missing out on a good deal. If you think I’m lying, then ask the Swifts about the servo unit on the plane’s elevators when it crashed!”

Before Ted could say another word, there was a click at the other end of the line, indicating that Hampshire had hung up.

Puzzled and with an increased feeling of worry, Ted put down the phone and went upstairs to his room.

“Call from home?” Bud Barclay asked.

Ted nodded, and told Bud about both calls, including the sinister remark Hampshire had made just before hanging up.

When Ted had finished, Bud’s face flushed with rage. He sprang out of his chair. “The servo unit on the elevators!” he exclaimed. “Hampshire is a low-down troublemaker!”

CHAPTER IV

DANGER ZONE

“TED, that man Hampshire’s just trying to stir up trouble to gain something for himself,” Bud declared stormily. “All the facts of your father’s accident were brought out in the CAA investigation.”