Leaping into the fray, one of them grabbed the intruder around the neck and hurled him to the
1T2 MEGASCOPE SPACE PROBER
floor. The other quickly pinioned his arms and handcuffed him.
“Whew! Thanks!” said Tom, who stood by, panting for breath.
“Sorry we took so long getting here,” one of the security men apologized.
“We’ve been out on a call.”
“Just as well. It gave me time to take infrared movies of him stealing plans from my lab,” Tom said.
The two plant guards yanked their prisoner to his feet. Then Tom removed the man’s mask and gave a gasp of astonishment.
The phantom intruder was Open Door Jack!
Tom was stunned. It was upsetting enough to catch a company employee rifling his laboratory. But to learn that a mild-mannered, seemingly loyal friend like Tunbridge Jackson was a thief was a double shock.
“Well, what have you to say for yourself?” Tom spoke quietly. “I think you’d better do some explaining-and fast.”
The locksmith’s eyes tried to meet Tom’s level gaze, then turned away shiftily. He gulped and stared at the floor.
“You might as well tell us what this is all about.” Tom said sternly. “Things will go harder for you if you don’t.”
Open Door Jack forced himself to look up. “I have nothing to say,” he shrilled in a high-BEHIND THE MASK 113
pitched voice, “except that you’ll get what’s coming to you someday, Tom Swift, for your sly trickery!”
Jackson’s pale, watery gray eyes seemed to shine with a fanatical light.
Veins were standing out on his scrawny neck.
“Must be off his rocker,” one of the security men muttered.
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