THE SECRET FORMULA 121
the next two hours. It arrived soon after their return to the outpost. Selwyn Joss was escorted aboard and his craft stored in the cargo compartment.
“So long and thanks again!” Joss called back over the radio.
“Have a good trip,” Tom replied.
As soon as the ship had blasted off, he contacted George Billing at Fearing Island over the company’s special frequency. Tom gave orders for Joss to be transported to the mainland as soon as he landed. “I think the man’s okay,” he added, “but have Harlan Ames make a follow-up check on him, just to play safe.”
“Wilco!” Billing replied.
Tom had hardly signed off when another voice crackled over the radio. “Tom, come and get us! We’re on the moon!”
It was Ted Spring’s voice!
CHAPTER XIV
MOON SEARCH
TOM and his companions were electrified! Mr. Swift and Ted Spring were on the moon!
Everyone listened intently as the message continued. “We were drawn away from the space station by some kind of invisible force ray,” Ted went on. “I’m not sure what happened after that. Tom, your dad and I both blacked out.”
Mr. Swift’s voice broke in, “The important thing is that the two of us are here on the moon. Come and get us and hurry!”
Abruptly the voices ceased.
Tom grabbed the microphone. “Dad! Ted! Can you hear me?” he called urgently. “This is Tom at the outpost! Come in, please!”
There was no response. Finally Tom gave up trying to contact them.
“Come on!” he told the others. “We’ll take off right now! We must rescue them!”
“I’m with you, pal!” Bud shouted.