The two scientists promptly set to work.  Mr. Swift built two powerful but miniature radio sets; one for receiving, one for transmitting.  Tom, meanwhile, was busy on another device, also highly miniaturized, combining features of both the electronic decoder and Tom’s famous midget computers, known as Little Idiots.

With this equipment, Tom hoped, Exman would be able to monitor all communications at Brungarian rebel headquarters, then radio the information to Enterprises.

Chow brought lunch to the laboratory at noon, and Bud came in later.  Both stayed to watch the outcome of the experiment.  Hank Sterling and Arv Hanson joined the group.

By midafternoon the equipment was ready for a tryout.  Tom opened Exman’s star head, inserted the gear, and made the delicate wiring connections.

“So far, so good,” the young inventor murmured, stepping back.  “Now for the real test!  Will Exman answer our questions?”

Tom walked over to the electronic decoder brain and began to tap out a message on the keyboard.  The others waited in breathless suspense.

CHAPTER XV

KIDNAPED!

The message which Tom signaled in code over the electronic brain said: 

    WE HAVE A DANGEROUS PLAN.  IF PLAN WORKS, YOU MAY BE EXPOSED TO
    ENEMY TAMPERING.  WILL THIS BE SAFE?  CAN YOU STAND THIS?

There was a tense pause.  Then the signal bell rang on the machine and the keys began to punch out a reply on tape: 

    NO ONE CAN ALTER THIS BRAIN NOR CAN THEY CHANGE ITS PURPOSE. 
    THEY CAN ONLY DESTROY THE ENERGY HOLDER.

As Tom finished reading the message aloud, Chow gave a whoop of delight and the whole group burst into spontaneous cheers.

“Terrific, skipper!” Bud exclaimed, clapping his pal on the back.  The others gathered around to add their congratulations.

Mr. Swift, beaming with pride, gave Tom a quick hand-squeeze.  “It’s an amazing achievement, son.  And it may prove to be the key for unlocking the secrets of space, if and when we have time for some research after this crisis is over.”

“I sure hope so, Dad,” Tom murmured.  Though jubilant, the young inventor realized that this was only the first step in his plan to checkmate the Brungarian rebels.

The real perils still lay ahead!

Tom called Harlan Ames and asked him to come to the laboratory for a conference.  When the security chief arrived, he was as impressed as the others with the way Tom was able to communicate with Exman.

“The problem now,” Tom said, “is how do we have him kidnaped?”

Chow, wary as a coyote, offered his opinion that the safest way would be merely to leave the space robot unguarded somewhere about the grounds of Enterprises.

Ames shook his head.  “Too obvious.  They’d suspect a trap.”  Tom agreed.

“Wal, then, how about truckin’ him along the highway hereabouts, as if you all were sendin’ him down to Washington?”