Tom Swift and His Giant Telescope

by Victor Appleton

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.

"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."