Chapter 34
When Tom Swift observed, through a telescope, the rockets failed flight that ended up back on the island, he could not hide his glee. Biggles may still be alive. Hans Zarkoff placed his hand on Tom's shoulder and gestured that he must stifle his attitude before Totenkopf notices and adopt a counterfeit demeanor of disappointment, coupled with a will to make sure the next test rocket will be a sucess.
The young inventor soon managed this, bar a few laughs he tried to pass off as coughs. A glass of water later, he gave Totenkopf his full attention.
All present rocket scientists listened as the driven genius, unfazed by the prototype's failure, illustrated on a blackboard his improved design for the next rocket, which included multi-staging. The presentation was awe-inspiring for the audience who had already absorbed much of their host's knowledge. Totenkopf finished up with a pep talk that was delivered like it was the St Crispin's Day speech reinterpreted for scientific achievement the audience must strive for. Tom swift began to appreciate the new science of rockets.
When the presentation was over, Totenkopf returned to his office. Hans Zarkoff introduced Tom to the other scientists. First there was Doctor Kraft from Denmark; then Mstislav Los from Russia; Proffessor Kokintz from, of all places, the Duchy of Grand Fenwick; and finally the French-speaking Professor Calculus.
This last introduction went oddly; the bespectacled, curly haired scientist knew English, or did he?
When Tom said. "Pleased to meet you."
The reply was . "Defeat me? How are you going to defeat me boy?"
Hans Zarkoff cut in and muttered a correction in Calculus' ear.
"Excuse him." Zarkoff said to Tom. "He has a hearing problem."
Calculus returned to his desk to review the newly issued blueprints; the others did likewise. Hans Zarkoff explained to Tom the engineering process by which they constructed the previous rocket and how the next, he will help build, shall achieve much more.
An aged man with a telescope reported to Zarkoff.
"That rocket you launched has ended up on the rocky coast of this island. A team has been dispatched to retrieve it. Couldn't your next rocket reach the Moon?"
"That won't happen for a while." Replied Zarkoff
"Blast."
Zarkoff introduced. "Tom. Meet our resident astronomer. Professor Georg Mannfelt."
Tom shook the German's hand while remembering his claims published in science magazines. "Oh Yeah. Your the man who." He stopped.
Mannfelt cast a scrutinising stare at Tom, then seized him by the arms and shook him.
"It's true. It's true." He yelled. "There is gold on the Moon. There is."
Zarkoff broke Mannfelt's hold on Tom, then told him to get back to his large telescope and calculate the co-ordinates for the World of Tomorrow as Totenkopf requests.
Tom was more amused than shaken up by the treatment. He returned to the rocket designs and spent much time absorbing the science.
The young American announced to Zarkoff. "Maybe not here, but one day I will design and build my own rocket ship."
Zarkoff grinned. "All of us have made the same resolve Tom."