Appleton, Victor – Tom Swift Jr 24 – And His 3D Telejector

The young inventor was staggered by the responsibility being thrust upon him. But after a glance at his father, who nodded, Tom agreed.

“I can take off tomorrow morning,” he added.

The Swifts flew back to Enterprises and plunged into preparations for the space cruise. Later, Har-lan Ames came hurrying into Tom’s lab.

“The FBI has identified that injured workman, skipper,” Ames reported. “He’s Klaus Sturko, one of the enemy group that tried to seize your undersea helium wells.”

Tom was startled. He snapped his fingers as he recalled the adventures he had had while planning and building his deep-sea hydrodome. “No wonder his face looked familiar!” Tom exclaimed. “His head was shaved then-which is probably why I couldn’t place him.”

Ames explained that Sturko had escaped from prison. “When he saw your helijet, he must have been scared you’d recognize him.”

“And if Sturko’s working for some new enemy group,” Tom reasoned, “they may have feared the same thing. That’s why they tried to kidnap him. They probably consider him a dangerous liability.”

“But why did he ask for you?” Ames objected.

“Because he was afraid the gang might try to get GOVERNMENT MISSION 45

rid of him, so he decided to see if he could make a deal with me.”

Ames socked his fist into his palm. “I’ll bet you’ve hit it, skipper!” He added that Gus Miller knew nothing of Sturko’s or his partner’s background. “They just came to the diner and offered to erect the sign very cheaply, so Gus hired them.

They also left a phone number which Gus called when he wanted the sign changed. We’ve traced the number to a small workshop in town, but the place is empty. Sturko’s partner must have pulled out.”