Tom Swift and The Visitor from Planet X | Page 5

"But I trust our
space friends wouldn't let that happen."
Both he and Tom became thoughtful as they discussed the problem.
"The energy will arrive in two weeks," Mr. Swift added. "Unfortunately that phone call
was a request that I go to Washington on urgent government business. So you may have
to take over and work out a solution on your own, Tom."
It was a sobering thought to the young inventor. "You were right, Mother. This is a
terrific challenge."
Soon afterward, the little gathering broke up. Bud, who had left his own convertible at the
Swifts' that morning, offered to drop Phyl at her home.
Tom awoke the next morning, refreshed by a good night's sleep. After a hearty breakfast
of bacon and eggs, he drove off to Enterprises in his low-slung silver sports car.
"Think I'll listen to the news," Tom thought, and switched on his dashboard radio.
A moment later the announcer's voice came over the loud-speaker. "Casualties from
yesterday's disastrous earthquake now total thirty-one injured," the announcer reported.
"Most of these are employees of the Faber Electronics plant and four are in critical
condition. There is one note of cheer, however. At last report, Mark Faber, the brilliant
president of the company, is now expected to recover." Tom gave a thankful sigh of
relief.
The announcer continued, "The nearby town of Harkness was only lightly damaged, but
the plant itself was almost totally demolished. No estimate of the losses has been released,
but will certainly run into millions of dollars, including some highly secret defense items
which were being developed at the plant. Scientists are puzzled by the severity of the
quake in what had been considered a 'dead' area."
For the first time Tom, too, was struck by this curious aspect of the disaster. So far as he
knew, no serious tremors had ever before been reported within hundreds of miles of the

region.
He was mulling over the matter as he drove along a lonely wooded area, not far from
Lake Carlopa. Suddenly his thoughts were interrupted as a man stepped out from among
the trees ahead and gestured with his thumb for a ride.
"Sorry, mister," Tom reflected, "but I've had trouble with hitchhikers before!" He shook
his head to let the man know that he did not intend to stop.
To the young inventor's amazement, the pedestrian deliberately stepped onto the
road--squarely in the path of Tom's oncoming car!
Tom jammed on the brakes, and the silver sports car screeched to a stop. Only a quick
twist of the wheel had prevented an accident!
Somewhat angrily, Tom exclaimed, "What's the big idea, mister? Don't you realize you
might have been--"
"Shut up!" the stranger snarled. In an instant the man had yanked open the door and
climbed in beside Tom.
"Take me inside the grounds of Swift Enterprises," he commanded in a foreign accent.
"And no tricks or you will regret it!"
CHAPTER III
REPORT FROM INTERPOL
Tom, astonished, stared at the stranger.
"Who are you?" the young inventor demanded.
"Never mind who I am. Just do as I say!"
By this time Tom had recovered from his surprise and coolly sized up his enemy. The
man was about thirty years old, with close-cropped black hair. Steely eyes glinted in a
lean, hard-jawed face.
Tom wondered, "Should I risk a fight? Or is he armed?"
As if in answer, the stranger growled, "I gave you an order, my friend. Don't press your
luck! Get going!"
As he spoke, the man thrust one hand deep into his coat pocket, and Tom felt something
hard poke against his ribs.
The young inventor drove on, but proceeded slowly. He wanted time to think. Presently
Swift Enterprises, enclosed by a high wall, came into view.

Tom's brain was working fast. At last he decided on a ruse. He would head for the main
gate, get out, and use his electronic key without waiting for the guard to admit him. At
the same time, he would press a secret warning bell to alert the Swift security force.
But the stranger seemed to read his thoughts. As Tom started to turn off toward the main
gate, his passenger snapped, "Go to the private gate which you and your father use!"
"And if I refuse?"
Again the hard object poked into his ribs. "You will be what you call in this country a
dead duck!" the stranger warned. "I will then let myself in with your key!"
Tight-lipped, Tom drove on another half mile, then turned in at the private gate. The man
got out with him as Tom walked up to the gate and beamed his electronic key at the
hidden mechanism. Instantly the gate swung open, then closed again automatically after
the car passed through.
Tom parked in