eleration
lever. His fingers trembled a few inches away from their goal. His face
began to turn violent red. He strained a little more. The lever was an
inch away. Finally, with the very last ounce of his strength, he touched
the lever and pulled it back by the weight of his falling body.

Even before the black cloud swept over him, Tom could hear the jets
become silent. He had signaled them. He had stopped the jet boat. They
would know, now, how to save him.

CHAPTER 16

"... and you never picked up that static flash again, eh?" mused Strong,
looking at Roger. "Well, the only reason I can think of is that someone
aboard the _Avenger_ must have discovered what was happening."

"That's the way I figure it, sir," replied Roger.

The Solar Guard captain studied the scanner that was now working in
perfect order. "It's a tough break that we couldn't get that fix on
Coxine's position. I was counting on it. But at least we found Tom.
That's plenty to be thankful for."

"How is he, sir?" asked Roger.

"He'll be all right," replied the Solar Guard captain, his face showing
the strain of the past weeks. "We gave him pure oxygen and he came to
long enough to tell us what happened aboard the _Avenger_. Get me
teleceiver contact with Space Academy as soon as possible. I've got to
send a report to Commander Walters."

"Right, sir."

"You've done a good job, Manning. Your work here on the radar bridge did
as much toward saving Tom's life as anything."

"Thank you, sir. After what Tom did on the _Avenger_, though, I don't
feel like I've done very much. It took real courage to go aboard that
ship with Coxine."

Strong smiled wearily. "Well, the boy is safe now and we have a good
idea what part of the belt Coxine is operating in. With a little luck
and a thorough fleet patrol, we might be able to get him before he can
do any more harm."

Strong went below to the cadet's quarters where Astro was sitting
quietly, watching Tom. The cadet was sound asleep. When Strong entered,
Astro held a finger to his lips and met the captain at the door.

"How is he?" whispered Strong.

"He's been sleeping since he spoke to you, sir," said Astro. "He's
pretty weak, but I don't think there's anything seriously wrong with
him. After a good rest, he'll be as good as new."

"Thank the universe for that," breathed Strong. He glanced at the
sleeping cadet and then turned back to Astro. "Better take your station.
He'll be all right no