After more flustered apologies, the actor hurried out, obviously relieved.
“What a dumb egg he is!” Bud muttered.
“In a way he may have helped us,” Tom pointed out. “If the Brungarian rebels hadn’t found out about Exman, we couldn’t have lured them into that kidnap plot.
It’s already helped us to save the Bona Fide Submarine Building Corporation.”
Monday morning Ames reported that Professor Runkle had left the country.
Tom was not sorry, since an arrest and public trial might have led to dangerous publicity about Exman. The probings of a sharp-tongued defense attorney might even
EARTHQUAKE ISLAND 161
have tipped off the Brungarian to Tom’s real purpose in letting the space brain be hijacked.
Meanwhile, a telephone call from Washington announced that State Department men were flying to Enterprises to confer with the Swifts about taking official action against the Brungarian attacks. The group arrived by jet after lunch.
Thurston of the CIA was also present.
“The problem is this,” a State Department official said as they discussed the matter in the Swifts’ office. “Should we bring charges against Brungaria before the United Nations? Or should we rely on other means, short of war, to block the Brungarian rebel coup?”
Mr. Swift frowned thoughtfully. “It might be difficult to prove they were responsible for the earthquake attacks,” he pointed out.
“I’d say it’s impossible,” Tom said, “unless we give away the secret about our electronic spy.” He paused, then added, “Sir, if the State Department will agree, I’d like more time before you make any official moves.”