get a pretty good idea of
the composition of the comet's tail. This is a chance nobody's ever had
before--and maybe never will again, until we go right out there in
spaceships--being right inside a comet's tail long enough to analyze
it!"

"It sounds like a terrific project," Ken admitted. "The universities
will all be doing it, of course, but it would still be a neat trick if
we could bring it off. Maybe Dad and Professor Larsen will have ideas on
how we could do it."

"We ought to be able to make most of the equipment," said Joe, "so it
shouldn't be too expensive. Anyway, we'll have a meeting then, right
after school?"

"Yes--no, wait. The engine in my car conked out. I've got to go over to
Art's with it this afternoon. You go ahead without me. Kick the idea
around and let me know what's decided. I'll go along with anything short
of mortgaging the football field."

"Okay," said Joe. "I don't see why you don't just sell that hunk of junk
and get a real automobile. You've got a good excuse now. This breakdown
is a good omen!"

"Don't talk to me about omens!"

* * * * *

Art Matthews had the best equipped garage in town, and was a sort of
unofficial godfather to all the hot-rodders in the county. He helped
them plane the heads of their cars. He got their special cams and
carburetor and manifold assemblies wholesale, and he gave them fatherly
advice about using their heads when they were behind the wheel.

Ken called him at noon. "I've got troubles, Art," he said. "Can I bring
the car over after school?"

"I'm afraid I can't do a thing for you today," Art Matthews said. "I
don't know what's happened, but I've had tow calls all day. Right now
the shop is full and they're stacked four-high outside. I'm going to do
a couple of highway patrol cars and Doc Adams'. I figured they ought to
have priority."

Ken felt a sudden, uneasy sense of recognition. This was the same kind
of thing he had heard about on the radio that morning! A rash of car
breakdowns all over the country. Now, the same thing in Mayfield!

"What's wrong with them?" he asked the mechanic. "Why is everybody
coming in with trouble at the same time?"

"They're not coming in," said Art. "I'm having to go out after them. I
don't know yet what's wrong. They heat up and stall. It's the craziest
thing I've run into in 30 years of garage work."

"Mine acted the same way," Ken said.

"Yeah? Well, you're in good company.