“All set. Go ahead,” Billing reported a moment later.
Tom identified himself to the Dragon Queen’s radio operator and asked for any possible information on the source of the strange signal.
“I cannot say precisely, sir,” the Oriental operator replied, selecting his words carefully. “However, we did pick up the same signal twice again 33
34 COSMIC ASTRONAUTS
the next day, although not clearly enough to make out any words. Each time I attempted to take a radio bearing.”
The operator then gave Tom the position obtained from his rough fix and added, “It is my belief, taking into consideration the elapsed time between signals, that the ship must be proceeding on a course approximately north-northwest. But of course that is only a guess.”
“It’s good enough! Many thanks for your help,” Tom said. “Please keep us informed if you pick up anything more.”
“Will be pleased to co-operate, sir,” the Oriental radioman replied, then signed off.
Tom turned to the huge wall map on which the security department kept track of the movements of all Swift personnel, as well as their aircraft and seacraft, all over the world. He plotted the position reported by the Dragon Queen’s operator.
Then, after some quick calculations, Tom extended a great-circle course heading north-northwestward from the fix.
“What do you make of it, skipper?” Ames asked.
Tom frowned uncertainly. “If that information from the Dragon Queen’s operator is right, the suspects are heading for the Grand Bank off Newfoundland.”
Tom studied the chart closely for a few moments. Suddenly his eyes narrowed as he noticed a
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