"Appleton, Victor - Tom Swift Jr 12 - In the Race to the Moon" - читать интересную книгу автора (Appleton Victor)

security."
Harlan Ames, chief of the Swifts' security department, was amazed to hear
the story. "I'm sure there's no spy in our organization. I believe Jan-tree x-rayed
your cargo in the air, Tom!"
32
MYSTERIOUS RAIDERS 33
"So that's how he knew Bud was transporting the brain. I'll have all our
planes given a special protective coat of plastic," Tom declared grimly.
After issuing several orders, the young inventor returned to his private
laboratory. Here he resumed experiments with both the new energy-conversion
units of the repelatron and several of his earlier designs. Hours later, he was still
busy at his workbench with a jumble of electronic parts and test gear when a
knock sounded on the door.
"Come in!" Tom called, without looking up. He heard the door open and
close.
"Well, aren't you even going to say hello?" a girlish voice complained.
Tom whirled in surprise. "Sandy and Phyl!" he exclaimed.
The two girls giggled at his startled expression.
"So you weren't even expecting us!" Sandra Swift said accusingly. Blond and
blue-eyed, Sandy was a year younger than her famous brother.
Her companion, Phyllis Newton, was the pretty daughter of "Uncle Ned"
Newton, Mr. Swift's stanch friend from boyhood days and now manager of the
Swift Construction Company. Phyl, who had long dark hair and laughing brown
eyes, was Tom's favorite date.
"Expecting you?" Tom said uncertainly.
"Good night!" Sandy groaned. "I suppose you've forgotten about the party
this evening."
Tom slapped his forehead and grinned apologetically. "I'm sorry. It slipped
my mind completely!"
34 THE RACE TO THE MOON
"Talk about absent-minded professors!" Phyl teased.
"And what about Bud?" Sandy went on.
"He made a test flight this morning, Sis. After that, he was due back at
Fearing Island."
Sandy looked disgusted. "Really, Tom," she lectured him, "somebody ought
to give you two a good shaking! Haven't you ever heard that line about 'all work
and no play makes Jack a dull boy?"
"But my name's not Jack," Tom protested with a twinkle in his eyes.
"And you're not such a dull boy-yet." Phyl smiled. "But if you two don't learn
to relax and have a little fun once in a while-watch out!"
"Okay, I'm warned." Tom grinned back at the girl.
"This was supposed to be a surprise," Sandy added, "but I'd better tell you
now, so you don't go backsliding on us again. Know who the guest of honor will
be at the party?"
Tom shook his head. "I give up."
"Jerry Walden."
'Jerry Walden!" Tom was delighted at the news. "But I thought he was in
South Africa."
"He was," Sandy explained, "but now he's back home in Shopton."
Jerry Walden, a neighbor of the Swifts, had been one of Tom's boyhood