Tom agreed. "Our country owes him a lot for exposing the Brungarian rebel schemes."
To Tom's amazement, Exman's "ears" picked up his murmured words, even above the babble of the spectators crowding the room.
"Your country owes you much, Tom Swift," the creature said. "You conceived the idea of an electronic spy and found ways to block the rebels' destructive earthquake plans."
As Tom flushed at the crowd's applause, Exman continued, "Unless I am mistaken, you will soon learn that you have accomplished even more."
Tom was mystified by this. Meanwhile, the spectators listened spellbound as Exman went on talking, telling what he had learned of the valiant resistance efforts to overthrow the Brungarian rebels.
A short time later the telephone rang. Tom answered, and the operator informed him that John Thurston of Central Intelligence was calling.
"Great news, Tom," the CIA man said. "We've just learned that the rightful Brungarian government forces have struck hard in the capital city and at half a dozen other points. The rebel puppets and their troops have been crushed completely!"
Tom was enthusiastic over the news.
"That's not all," Thurston went on. "In case you don't realize it, the information which you supplied by means of your electronic spy is chiefly what enabled the government forces to win out. They've promised to dismantle the rebels' other two earthquake bases."
As Tom hung up and relayed the electrifying news, Bud and the others burst into cheers.