Part 34 (2/2)

URGE THEY BE READY TO DEPART IN THREE DAYS EQUIPPED FOR EXTENDED STAY AT DESERT BASE

Rick's eyes”Desert base,” he repeated

Scotty grinned his delight ”John Gordon's rocket base is in the desert He must want us there”

”But why?” Barby demanded ”You're not rocket experts Why, even e had the moon rocket here, you didn't work on the rocket itself”

That was perfectly true Rick shrugged ”You know as much as we do, Sis”

Hartson Brant stirred his coffee thoughtfully ”I have a hunch,” he said ”From the tone of the wire, I suspect John is in some kind of difficulty Surely he doesn't want you as technicians, but it's not beyond the bounds of possibility that he needs a little detective work done”

It made sense to Rick But what kind of detective work could he and Scotty do at a highly guarded and secret governht down the i Gordon had said in three days There was plenty of ti until John Gordon gave them more information

The Morrisons rose to the occasion beautifully ”We wouldn't want Barby to be without any coe here,” Mrs Morrison said quickly ”If it's all right, I'm sure we can let Jan reirls bea a word, then they broke into excited chatter Rick and Scotty retired to the front porch and grinned at each other

”If Dad is right, this is going to be plenty of fun,” Scotty said happily ”I've alanted to get close to the big rockets”

”We'll find out,” Rick said ”And if John Gordon has a mystery, we're the pair who can solve it for him”

Later, Rick's words returned to hi circumstances of his entire life The story of the project that led to Rick's greatest adventure will be told in the next Rick Brant Science-Adventure mystery

_The_ RICK BRANT SCIENCE-ADVENTURE _Stories_

BY JOHN BLAINE

THE ROCKET'S SHADOW

THE LOST CITY

SEA GOLD

100 FATHOMS UNDER

THE WHISPERING BOX MYSTERY

THE PHANTOM SHARK

SMUGGLERS' REEF

THE CAVES OF FEAR

STAIRWAY TO DANGER

THE GOLDEN SKULL

THE WAILING OCTOPUS