"And to think that I wanted to give that reporter a few lumps!" Tom exclaimed.

"Did you find out anything about the crash of Gigi Duarte's ship, sir?"

asked Roger.

"Yes. Ross confessed that he was in Luna City and planted a time bomb on Gigi's ship when the French Chicken came in for refueling."

"Say," exclaimed Roger, "I just happened to think! With Miles disqualified, Kit wins the race!"

Seated in the pilot's chair, Kit turned to Roger and waved a paper.

"Here's the contract, Roger. Signed, sealed, and with only the crystal to be delivered."

"There's only one thing bothering me now," sighed Tom.

"What's that, Tom?" asked Strong.

"Do you think I could get a three-day pa.s.s before we go back to cla.s.s at the Academy?"

Strong and Kit looked at each other, puzzled. "With sick leave, you'll have plenty of time," said Strong. "Why a three-day pa.s.s especially?"

Tom settled deeper into the cot. "Well, sir," he said, grinning, "I figure it'll take just about three days for Astro and Roger to argue it out about who did the most to catch Ross and Quent Miles. And I don't want to have to listen to it!"

[Ill.u.s.tration]

[Ill.u.s.tration]

THE TOM CORBETT s.p.a.cE CADET STORIES

By Carey Rockwell

STAND BY FOR MARS!

DANGER IN DEEP s.p.a.cE

ON THE TRAIL OF THE s.p.a.cE PIRATES

THE s.p.a.cE PIONEERS

THE REVOLT ON VENUS

TREACHERY IN OUTER s.p.a.cE

SABOTAGE IN s.p.a.cE

THE ROBOT ROCKET