Free Tom Swift in the Caves of Nuclear Fire by Victor Appleton II Page B

geographer. "But I am much afraid not all parts of this city are bright and modern. It is the same in my native Kenya. But there is progress, however slow in coming."
    "Africa is changing, all right." Craig smiled. "But it still has its wild regions, Chow. Only a fifteen-minute ride from the center of this city will still take you into a dense jungle."
    When the travelers arrived at their hotel, courteous porters showed Tom and his companions to neat, modern rooms. The escorting officials made certain everything was satisfactory, then left.
    Ten minutes later there was a knock on the door of the room Tom was sharing with Bud. "Come in!" he called.
    A tall, elegant man in a white uniform entered.
    "Mr. Tom Swift?" he inquired.
    "That’s correct," responded Tom, and then introduced Bud.
    "My name is Frederick Shopfer Nkata," the caller announced with great dignity and a slight accent. "I am from the local police headquarters."
    "How do you do, sir," Tom answered.
    "I received a cablegram from one of your security men," the officer stated. "A Mr. Ames, I believe."
    "Oh, yes." The young inventor smiled. "I told Harlan that I wanted to make contact with the local authorities."
    "My facilities are at your disposal," declared the caller.
    "Thank you," replied Tom. "I must say you were very prompt."
    "Indeed so. It is my practice to be prompt. But alas, I am not here because of Mr. Ames. I must inform you of a rather embarrassing matter, of a somewhat delicate nature. Please understand, I am only carrying out my sworn duty."
    Bud glanced at Tom in alarm, then at Nkata. "What’s up? A problem?"
    "Rather a large one, yes," the man replied. "I do apologize, but I must ask you two to accompany me to police headquarters."
    Tom gaped at the officer in bewilderment. "Can you tell us what is the matter, sir?"
    "Yes, of course. I am afraid we have reason to believe that your party is engaged in smuggling."
    Tom was aghast. "Smuggling? Smuggling what?"
    "Elephant ivory—a serious crime."

CHAPTER 9
SIX HOURS LOST
    "YOU’RE TALKING to Tom Swift!" Bud exploded. "The accusation is just—"
    Tom placed a hand on his pal’s arm and said to Nkata, "We’ll accompany you as you wish. But can you tell us anything about this charge?" He told the officer of his suspicions concerning Hoplin and Cameron, and produced the sketches Craig had drawn. "One of our party, Mr. Benson, was previously a victim of spurious accusations, probably by one of these men or their accomplices."
    "My men will be alert to any sign of them," the officer stated. "We do not wish any undesirable characters in this country." He stood pondering a few moments, then said, "I do not know if there is any significance to this, but an unidentified plane was spotted flying high over a nearby town this morning. It was thought to be of American manufacture and heading northwest across the jungle, in which direction lies the disputed province of Borukundi." After hesitating, he continued, "Though it is somewhat irregular, I will tell you that the source of the accusation is anonymous. It was transmitted by a third party to the editor of our newspaper, who regarded its provenance as credible."
    "Well, you can ask anyone in the U.S.A.—they don’t come any more honest than Tom Swift and his father!" Bud declared hotly.
    "You are no doubt quite right," said Nkata stiffly. "Still, it is for my superiors to determine. Let us go."
    Tom and Bud were driven to a large building, central police headquarters, where Tom was asked many questions about the purpose of his expedition, which he answered forthrightly.
    "I am satisfied," pronounced their questioner at last, who identified himself as Deputy Chief of Police Ikabo. "In my opinion, the secret accusation was intended only to raise suspicion and detain your party."
    "Then I assume we are free to continue on to Borukundi," Tom said.
    "There is one more step to be taken," Ikabo responded. "I am responsible to my government, you see, and I must