Produced by Greg Weeks, Graeme Mackreth and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net [Transcriber's note: Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the copyright on this publication was renewed.] TOM SWIFT and His Giant Telescope _By_ VICTOR APPLETON _Illustrations by_ JAMES GARY WHITMAN PUBLISHING COMPANY Racine, Wisconsin Copyright, 1939, by WHITMAN PUBLISHING COMPANY Racine, Wisconsin All Rights Reserved Printed in U.S.A. CONTENTS CHAPTER PAGE I The New Project 9 II Suspicions 42 III An Accident 90 IV A Murderous Attempt 124 V In Peril 168 VI Tom Drugged! 216 VII Deep Sea Diving 264 VIII Trapped By a Sea Monster 296 IX A Robber 346 X Success! 380 [Illustration: Tom Swift Appeared Calm] TOM SWIFT and His Giant Telescope CHAPTER I THE NEW PROJECT Tom Swift appeared to be calm, although in reality he was about as excited over his latest invention as he ever had been about anything in his life. "I'm sure it's going to work, Ned!" he said eagerly to his chum as they neared Tom's private laboratory. "With my new device I hope to learn more about the planets. I want to start soon--" "Listen here!" broke in Ned Newton. "If you're thinking of going to Mars or the moon, just count me out! I've gone with you to many strange places and have never kicked. But this--" "Hold on, young fellow!" interrupted the youthful inventor with an amused chuckle. "I've nothing like that in mind YET! All I want to do is show you my new 'space eye.'" [Illustration: Ned Newton, Tom's Chum] "Can't say as I like that word 'yet,'" Ned muttered darkly. "But I'll take a look at your new jigger if you'll promise not to shoot me through space in a rocket or cannon-ball!" "Word of honor I won't," promised Tom, crossing his heart with mock solemnity. "Well, here we are." The two boys had reached the laboratory, a small building at the rear of the spacious lawn surrounding Tom's father's home and close to the extensive work of the Swift Manufacturing Company at Shopton. [Illustration: Tom Crossed His Heart] "I'll bet these shelves have more scientific apparatus on 'em than any other shelves in the world," remarked Ned, as his chum opened the door. Various cabinets containing hundreds of chemicals stood about. Against one wall was a huge transformer, from which the youthful scientist, Tom Swift, could draw almost any kind of electric current he might desire. [Illustration: They Entered the Laboratory] "Here goes!" said the young inventor.