Two truckers in coverall uniforms were standing outside.
“We’ve come for that crate, guv’nor.”
Tom let them in. “It’s right over there.”
As he turned to point out the packing case, Tom staggered from a sudden hard blow on the back of his head. With a moan, he toppled to the floor, unconscious.
CHAPTER VIII
LONDON DRAGNET
IT was past two-thirty when Bud and the two girls arrived back at the hotel.
Sandy and Phyl wanted to go to their rooms and freshen up.
“Be ready in ten minutes,” Sandy promised.
“Okay, I’ll clock you.” Bud grinned and glanced at his wristwatch. “I’ll go get genius boy, and we’ll wait for you in the lobby.”
Bud rode on up in the lift to his own floor. As Bud opened the door of their room, he saw Tom, his back turned, standing at the window.
“Here we are, pal,” Bud announced. “Did you get your call from Admiral Hopkins?”
Tom continued to gaze out the window.
“Come, come, professor! Snap out of your scientific fog!” Chuckling, Bud strode toward his friend and clapped him on the back.
To Bud’s amazement, the figure toppled stiffly toward the window! It would have fallen if he had not reached out frantically to grab it.
67
68 AQUATOMIC TRACKER
“Jumpin* jets! It’s a dummy!” Bud realized. The hairs on the nape of his neck prickled at the weird discovery. Then he took a closer look. “For Pete’s sake, it’s that wax statue of Tom. I must be getting as silly as that chambermaid 1”
Bud glanced around the room and called, “Okay, you comedian, I fell for your little joke! You can come out now and have your laugh 1”