“That,” said Tom, making a quick decision, “settles it!”
Without further delay, Tom flew to Newark to interview Ben Burlow, president of Burlow Engineering Company, about the Ngombian highway survey. The young inventor gave his name to a receptionist in the company’s office lobby. A moment later a rugged-looking, gray-haired man burst from one of the offices, his face red with anger.
“So you’re Tom Swift, eh?” he growled. “Get out of here before I throw you out!”
CHAPTER IV
VOODOO STEW
TOM was startled by the man’s furious outburst, but said calmly, “If you’re Mr.
Burlow, I’ve flown all the way from Shopton to see you. Please hear what I have to say.”
“I’m Burlow, all right!” the man stormed. “As for hearing you, I’d say you’ve talked too much in this story!” He waved a newspaper in front of Tom’s face.
Tom took the paper and glanced at the article Burlow pointed out. The next moment Tom flushed with annoyance and embarrassment.
The story was headlined: tom swift wins “impossible” job in african jungle. It stated that Swift Enterprises had just announced that it was contracting with the Ngombian government to lay a jungle highway which other engineers claimed would take three years to build. The story was full of boastful quotes, attributed to Tom, about how easily Swift Enterprises would handle the project.
si
32 REPELATRON SKYWAY
Several slurring remarks, supposedly made by Tom, were included about the firm which had lost out on the project.
“So you think you can do a better job than Bur-low Engineering!” the company president raged. “Why, you young pup, you aren’t even-”
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