"Appleton, Victor - Tom Swift Jr 10 - And His Ultrasonic Cycloplane" - читать интересную книгу автора (Appleton Victor)

"What's up, Dad?"
Tom Swift Sr. turned from his work with a smile. There was a close
resemblance between father and son, especially noticeable in their deep-set blue
eyes and clean-cut features, although Tom Jr. was the taller and rangier of the
two.
"Sit down, son. You remember Cousin Ed Longstreet?"
"Sure do!" Tom grinned as he settled his lanky frame into a deep-cushioned
green leather chair. "What far corner of the globe is he poking into these days?"
"I haven't kept up with his latest travels. But here-read this wire."
Tom took the telegram which his father handed him. Datelined Chicago that
morning, it said:
ARRIVING SHOPTON AIRPORT 2:30 P.M. TODAY. AM BRINGING
SOMETHING UNUSUAL WHICH I WOULD LIKE YOU BOTH TO
EXAMINE.
ED LONGSTREET
THE WEIRD FIGURE 5
" 'Something unusual?" Tom's forehead puckered into a frown. "What do you
suppose it is, Dad?"
Mr. Swift shrugged and replied with a chuckle, "Haven't the faintest idea. But
knowing Cousin Ed, it might be anything from a shrunken head to a new species
of tropical butterfly!"
As Tom burst into laughter, the elder scientist added, "The point is, I'm taking
off for The Citadel right after lunch. Could you meet him?"
"Sure-be glad to, Dad."
The Citadel was the Swifts' atomic energy plant in the Southwest. Research
work for the government required frequent trips there from Shopton in the East,
where Swift Enterprises was located.
Promptly at 2:27 that afternoon, Tom and Bud Barclay arrived at the Shopton
airport. In order to carry an extra passenger, they had taken Bud's red convertible
instead of Tom's two-seater sports car.
Moments later, a big silver air liner swooped in for a landing and discharged
its passengers. Tom pointed to a slender, bareheaded figure coming down the
ramp.
Ed Longstreet was a slightly built man, about twenty-five years old, with
blond, thinning hair.
"Sorry Dad couldn't be here," Tom apologized, after introducing Bud and
explaining Mr. Swift's absence. "But what's all this about a mysterious object you
want us to examine?" he added with a twinkle.
"Right here in my brief case," Ed replied.
6 ULTRASONIC CYCLOPLANE
"You can examine it when we get to the plant."
On the way back to Swift Enterprises, Tom chatted with his cousin. From
their conversation, Bud learned that Ed was a world traveler, a dabbler in various
fields of science, and an expert linguist.
When they arrived at Tom's office, Ed Long-street opened his brief case and
took out a strange figurine. About twelve inches high, its shape was half human,
half animal. The queer object shimmered with a beautiful yellow-orange
iridescence.
"What is it?" asked Bud, staring in fascination.
"That's what I'm hoping Tom can tell me."