Tom Swift and His Giant Telescope | Page 7

right in. He'll be glad to have some company. But don't stay too long."
"Bless my operating table, if it isn't Tom and Ned!" exclaimed Mr. Damon, seeing his visitors enter. The eccentric gentleman was propped up in bed by several pillows. His left arm was in a sling and around his head was a big bandage. "You two got here almost as quickly as I did. But I'm glad they didn't have to carry you in!"
[Illustration: Mr. Damon Was Propped up in Bed]
"Your wife phoned me the news," explained Tom. "We're mighty glad you weren't injured badly. Tell us how it happened."
"It all occurred so suddenly that I hardly know myself. But I know one thing!" Mr. Damon seemed very indignant. "The scoundrels deliberately ran into my car!"
[Illustration: "The Scoundrels Ran into My Car!"]
"Did you get their license number?" inquired Ned Newton. "If you did, I'll call the police!"
"No, I couldn't see it in the dark. But I know the villains well enough. They were my two so-called relatives that I told you about--Jones and Brown! It was spite work for my refusal to tell 'em about your glass!"
Tom now saw the reason why Mrs. Damon was blaming him for the accident.
[Illustration: "My Two So-Called Relatives."]
"We'll notify the authorities and also do a little detective work ourselves," he said. "We must leave now because the doctor wants you to get some rest."
"Come back again, boys. At any rate, I've escaped that house party!"
After reporting the accident at the local police station, Tom and Ned visited all the garages and repair shops in the little town in an attempt to learn if any damaged machine had been brought in. They met with no success, however.
[Illustration: They Visited All the Garages]
"Guess their bus wasn't hurt much," commented Ned as they left the last place. "We might as well give up for the night."
"The police will be on the job. Unless the two men hid the car somewhere it's sure to be found. The teletype will flash the word all through the state."
The following morning the Police Chief telephoned Tom to tell him that no trace of the mysterious Jones and Brown could be discovered, nor had any witness to the accident been located.
[Illustration: The Police Chief Called Tom]
Later Ned went to the hospital where he found Mr. Damon much improved and able to sit up in a wheel chair. After a visit with him he attended to some business at the bank. On returning to the Swift plant, he found Tom busy with his green disk, which once more was clamped to the little telescope.
"Mr. Damon is a lot better," Ned reported, watching his friend's work curiously. "When I left him he was blessing his hat and coat, so I suppose he's eager to get out of the hospital."
[Illustration: Mr. Damon Was Much Improved]
"That's great," said Tom. "I knew he was getting along all right. I was too busy to go with you so I called Doctor Chilton. He told me that the X-ray showed no broken bones, but our friend must remain under observation for a few days more."
"You've changed the wiring on the disk, haven't you?" asked Ned, who knew a little about electricity.
[Illustration: "I Want to Try Alternating Current."]
"I want to try alternating current instead of direct and see if doing so won't improve it. Dad suggested that. What is it, Koku?"
"Boy bringum letter for Master. Say must put name on book." The man held out an envelope and pad.
"It's a radiogram. Sign for me, Ned, will you?"
Tom ripped open the envelope and glanced over the message.
"Bad news?" asked his chum, seeing a changed expression on the inventor's face.
[Illustration: Tom Ripped Open the Envelope]
"I should say so. Here, read it yourself. We might just as well forget the whole telescope idea, that's how bad it is!"
Ned took the sheet, which Tom had crumpled, spread it out on the desk, and read as follows:
"Regret inform you was compelled to jettison your cargo last night in bad storm to save ship. Approximate location four miles due east Port Baracoa, Cuba. Salvage boat take position at apex isosceles triangle 27.6 degrees with lighthouse and summit hill a mile to the south."
"(Signed) A. Mawson, Captain S.S. Perry."
[Illustration: "Was Compelled to Jettison Your Cargo."]
"Say, Tom, that IS tough, having your meteorite thrown overboard!" exclaimed Ned, rereading the message. "All your work wasted and your marvelous invention junked--"
"Not yet!" broke in the young scientist grimly as he grabbed the telephone from his desk. "Hello, operator, get me long distance, please."
[Illustration: Tom Grabbed the Telephone]
"What are you going to do?" asked Ned excitedly.
"Get divers," replied Tom as he waited. "I'm going to recover that meteorite or know the reason--Oh, hello! Yes. I want the main office of the Neptune Salvage Company in New York City. No,