Meanwhile, in the space-communications laboratory, Tom was pounding out a message on the keyboard of the electronic brain.  Tom had invented this device for automatically coding and decoding messages between the Swifts and their space friends.  It was connected to a powerful transmitting-and-receiving apparatus, served by a huge radio-telescope antenna mounted atop the communications building.

Bud looked on as Tom signaled: 

    TOM SWIFT TO SPACE FRIENDS.  CONTAINER FOR ENERGY IS NOW READY. 
    SHOULD IT BE PLACED OUTDOORS?

Stirred by a worrisome afterthought, Tom added: 

    MESSAGES MAY BE INTERCEPTED BY ENEMY WHO WISHES TO STEAL ENERGY. 
    SUGGEST YOU USE FLIGHT PATH TO LAND EXACTLY TWO MILES WEST OF
    FIRST CONTACT WITH US.

“By ‘first contact,’ you mean when that black missile landed at Enterprises?” Bud asked.

Tom nodded.  At that time, he reminded Bud, the Brungarians and their conquerors had not yet learned of the Swifts’ communication from another planet.  Hence they would have no idea of the site referred to—­which would hamper any plans to kidnap the brain energy.

“I get it,” Bud said.  “Smart idea, pal!”

Tensely the two boys waited for a reply from outer space.

CHAPTER VII

WALL OF WATER!

Minutes went by before the signal bell rang on the electronic brain.  Both Tom and Bud dashed over to the machine as it began to spell out the incoming message on tape: 

    ENERGY WILL COME TO THE SPOT YOU SUGGESTED. WE CAN CONTROL
    FLIGHT COURSE BUT WHILE THE ENERGY IS ON EARTH YOU WILL BE IN
    CHARGE.  WE WILL HAVE NO CONTROL FOR TWENTY-ONE DAYS.  THEN WE
    WILL RECALL ENERGY TO BRING US IMPRESSIONS AND DATA OF YOUR
    WORLD.

The two boys stared at each other excitedly as the transmission ended.

“Wow!” Bud murmured.  “If Planet X is a peaceful place, Ole Think Box is sure in for a jolt here on earth!”

Tom grinned fleetingly at the reference to Chow’s nickname for the robot creature.  Then he became serious, knowing that Bud’s words were all too true.  The space visitor might also take back impressions of the suffering and warlike threats that some earth countries inflict on one another.  Maybe one day, Tom reflected, it would be different.

In the meantime, the young inventor realized he had an awesome responsibility.  He must not only make the best use of the brain energy during its stay on earth, but also keep it from falling into the hands of treacherous Brungarian plotters.

Tom’s thoughts were suddenly interrupted by the sound of girls’ voices.  Sandy and Phyl were standing in the doorway of the space-communications laboratory.

“Talk about deep thinkers!” Sandy said teasingly.

“Goodness, we had no idea we’d be interrupting a session of the brain trust,” Phyl added with a mischievous sparkle in her brown eyes.  “Maybe we should go away again, Sandy!”