As they dashed out the door, a terrific explosion shook the laboratory!
CHAPTER XI
MOON JAUNT
THE concussion from the laboratory blast bowled the youths over. Bud struck his head against the wall, and Tom was hurled along the corridor.
“Boss! Boss! Are you all right?”
Chow’s voice seemed muffled, as if he were shouting through layers of cotton batting. Tom shook his head, trying to clear his brain.
“I’m-I’m all right.” Tom struggled up, with Chow helping him. “Better see about Bud!”
As the cook hurried to Bud’s prostrate form, Tom saw Harlan Ames running up the hall. He was white-faced with anxiety.
“Thank heavens you’re all right, skipper!” he panted. “And you, Bud?”
“Still with you.” Bud was not yet on his feet, but conscious and grinning painfully. He touched a swelling bump on the back of his head as Chow helped him up.
90 MEGASCOPE SPACE PROBER
Meanwhile, employees were rushing into the hall from both directions. The blast had evidently been heard all over Enterprises, judging by the shouting outside the building.
“Exactly what happened?” Tom asked Ames.
“I got an anonymous phone tip,” Ames explained. “The caller said someone had substituted hydrogen for helium in a tank just delivered to you. I tried to reach you by phone and the plant intercom but got no answer, so I hopped into a jeep and blazed over here. Just as I reached this corridor, I saw Chow and shouted to him to warn you.”
“Just in time,” Bud said grimly. “One more second and we’d have been dead ducks!”
“It was a miracle,” Tom agreed as he and Bud shook hands with Chow and Ames, “You two saved our lives,” Tom told them.
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