Tom shrugged. “Perhaps. But more probably by some earth enemies of ours.
Don’t forget, there are plenty of troublemakers like Hampshire. Also, spies and criminals who would do almost anything to learn the secrets of Dad’s and my inventions.”
Bud chilled as he realized the truth of Tom’s words. More than once, not only back home in Shopton, but under the ocean and in wild corners of the globe, the young inventor had had to battle ruthless enemies who sought to steal the fruits of the Swifts’ scientific genius.
“Buck up, pal,” Bud said stoutly. “We’ll find ‘em-and soon!”
Nevertheless, it was a gloomy crew of searchers who returned to the space station aboard the Challenger.
“Any luck?” asked Ken Horton as the station
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106 SPACE SOLARTRON
crew gathered around anxiously to hear the news.
Tom shook his head. “Looks as if we have three choices-a natural phenomenon, the space people, and earth enemies. If it’s the last group, we’ll probably hear from them.”
The young inventor was too downhearted to blame the radarmen who should have detected any marauders on their scopes. But Chow reeled off a few scorching remarks of his own.
“I ain’t namin’ no names,” the cook growled, “but if certain hombres had been keepin’ watch like they were supposed to, no kidnapers could ‘a’ gotten within a hundred miles o’ this here spread!”
“Now, wait a minute, Chow!” A tall, lanky radarman stepped forward angrily.
“I was manning the detection radar from twelve to four, and I can guarantee I didn’t miss any blips on the scope!”