Bud stood up, too, and counted out money for his check. “Listen, Bob, there’s no time to explain. Call Tom Swift! Tell him to get here fast-I think I’ve spotted someone and I’ll try to delay him!”
Bob Jeffers was left gaping in surprise as Bud hurried outside. Darkness had fallen, but the green neon sign and lighted windows shed a glow over the area.
Bud saw the stranger lounging against a car in the diner parking lot.
He watched as Bud strode up to him, then took out a cigarette. “Got a light, Mac?”
Bud took out Fred Flamm’s lighter and snapped it on. As the man bent his head, he muttered, “What’re you doing here with that lighter?”
Bud said boldly, “I know all about the Green Orb, pal.”
The man seemed startled. “Just how much do you know?” he demanded.
Groping for a quick answer, Bud said, “It’s a good place to eat-and hear things.”
The stranger appeared to relax at this reply and burst into a mocking laugh.
Bud realized he had
106 3-D TELEJECTOR
said the wrong thing. He tensed for the stranger’s next move-but not fast enough.
With the speed of a striking rattler, the man’s fist jerked out of his jacket pocket. A brass-knuckled uppercut caught Bud on the chin and he crumpled to the ground unconscious!
CHAPTER XIII
INVITATION TO DANGER
TOM was working late in his lab when he got Bud’s message. “Thanks, Bob-I’ll get there pronto!” he told the rocket crewman.
Tom took off in an atomicar and flew to Fernwood. Swooping down on the Green Orb restaurant’s parking lot, Tom jumped out and strode toward the garishly lighted diner. His eyes roved in search of Bud and the man Jeffers had described.
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