Appleton, Victor – Tom Swift Jr 14 – And His Electronic Retroscope

“Nice going!” Tom said approvingly. “While you’re doing that, I’ll work on the detectors.”

By midnight, after almost continuous work, the trio had completed as much of the new retroscope as could be assembled until the extra parts arrived. Shortly after daybreak the cargo jet from Shopton touched down in the clearing, and the awaited stock of parts was unloaded at once. After an early A STARTLING CONFESSION 169

breakfast, Tom, Jack, and Dick plunged back to work. Soon the compact assembly began taking shape on the workbench.

“Boy, that camera chassis is crammed tighter than a can of sardines.” Dick chuckled.

“It’s a swell job of miniaturization-thanks to you fellows,” Tom said approvingly.

Jack Murray flashed a pleased grin, but remarked, “Don’t kid the experts. It’s your design.”

An hour later the truck pulled into the clearing with Stu Kern at the wheel. He boarded the Sky Queen and hurried up a steel-ribbed ladder to the young inventor’s private laboratory.

“I have an urgent message from Bud,” he said. Stu fished in his pocket and handed over a letter. It read:

Dear Tom:

Yesterday Barancos removed some things from the tomb and I decided to check them with the retroscope. It worked fine-till the brain unit short-circuited!

Last night the police were supposed to guard the equipment, but Pedro and Miguel fell asleep. This morning I tried to fix the short circuit. Believe it or not, the brain unit was already repaired! … You figure it out!

Your befogged pal, Bud

170 ELECTRONIC RETROSCOPE

Tom showed the letter to Dick and Jack, who read it with puzzled grins. “This is crazy!” Dick remarked. “What do you make of it, skipper?”