The two scientists promptly set to work. Mr. Swift built two powerful but miniature radio sets; one for receiving, one for transmitting. Tom, meanwhile, was busy on another device, also highly miniaturized, combining features of both the electronic decoder and Tom’s famous midget computers, known as Little Idiots.
With this equipment, Tom hoped, Exman would be able to monitor all communications at Brungarian rebel headquarters, then radio the information to Enterprises.
Chow brought lunch to the laboratory at noon, and Bud came in later. Both stayed to watch the outcome of the experiment. Hank Sterling and Arv Hanson joined the group.
By midafternoon the equipment was ready for a tryout. Tom opened Exman’s star head, inserted the gear, and made the delicate wiring connections.
“So far, so good,” the young inventor murmured, stepping back. “Now for the real test! Will Exman answer our questions?”
Tom walked over to the electronic decoder brain and began to tap out a message on the keyboard. The others waited in breathless suspense.
CHAPTER XV
KIDNAPED!
THE message which Tom signaled in code over the electronic brain said: WE HAVE A DANGEROUS PLAN. IF PLAN WORKS, YOU MAY BE
EXPOSED TO ENEMY TAMPERING. WILL THIS BE SAFE? CAN YOU STAND
THIS?
There was a tense pause. Then the signal bell rang on the machine and the keys began to punch out a reply on tape:
NO ONE CAN ALTER THIS BRAIN NOR CAN THEY CHANGE ITS
PURPOSE. THEY CAN ONLY DESTROY THE ENERGY HOLDER.
As Tom finished reading the message aloud, Chow gave a whoop of delight and the whole group burst into spontaneous cheers.