Tom swift and the Captive Planetoid by Victor Appleton II Read Free Book Online Page A

still exist?”
    “It rather depends on what you mean by ‘ exist ,’ Tom,” she said with a touch of patient academic sarcasm. “It was absorbed into India in the 1700’s, then went with East Pakistan, now Bangladesh, in the division. The people are almost entirely Muslims, going back to the Islamic rulers of India, the Mughal, you see.
    “I did a little research before calling you,” she continued. “To summarize, Gureshpal is now just the traditional name for a minor province, not a real political entity.”
    “No ‘Gureshpal Liberation Front’ or anything?”
    The academic laughed. “Oh dear no! The original people blended into the surrounding population centuries ago. I doubt they know anything about their ancient heritage. The only time the name even comes up nowadays is when the old ‘first family,’ the Boses, want to brag about their lineage. But to put it with the utmost respect, they’re just ultra-wealthy buffoons. They’d much rather enjoy the international high-life than run a country.”
    Speaking later with Harlan Ames in the Security office next door, Tom related the end of the discussion. “Naturally, I asked all about the Qalqaram sect—I guess I had in mind the old Hashashim, the assassins cult. But it’s not like that at all. The founder tried to put together elements of Islam with Buddhism and Christianity. As religious sects go, it was pretty peaceful.”
    “Yet the charm-symbol does look like a possible tie-in,” Ames nodded. “What about this wealthy family she spoke of? I take it they’re descendants of the old sultan.”
    “The Bose family? Old money made centuries ago, hoarded and carefully invested. Professor Simallen said that if one person had the wealth of the entire extended family, he’d probably be the world’s richest man. But it’s divvied up among some seventy relatives, who own it jointly, as in a trust.”
    “Interesting. One person must be in charge, though. Somebody’s got to hire the C.P.A.”
    “She said the head of the family is a fellow named—let’s see—Desh Zai. No big ambitions. He doesn’t even live in his homeland, just cruises around the sunny Indian Ocean in his yacht. She said he has an estate in Madagascar for when he gets waterlogged, but he’s rarely there. I tried to find info or a photo on the Net, but I gather he lives a quiet life of luxury and avoids the public eye.”
    Ames shrugged. “Doesn’t sound like a terrorist or a mad scientist, offhand. I’ll alert Wes Norris and the Feds, though. Never know.” Norris was Swift Enterprises’ customary FBI liaison.
    Tom returned to his office to keep a scheduled appointment. Presently two men were shown in: one of late middle-age in an expensive silk suit, the other white-haired and skinny in casual, somewhat shabby attire. “Hello, Mr. Demburton, Mr. Gerard. I’ve been looking forward to meeting you.”
    Demburton, the well-dressed man, smiled as he shook hands. “A pleasure indeed. Have you had occasion to stay in one of my hotels, Tom?”
    “Many times, sir—on every continent except Antarctica!”
    “We’re working on that one,” the man chuckled through perfect pearly teeth, easing down into a chair. “As to my colleague—”
    “I’ve read your articles, Mr. Gerard,” Tom said with enthusiasm. “Your book, too.”
    Neil Gerard shrugged. “Out of print.”
    “Does it seem peculiar, the two of us coming to Swift Enterprises together?” asked Demburton. “A hotelier of world-class interests, and a—well, what shall we call you, Neil? A futurist? A prophetic engineer?”
    “Hunh? Oh. Doesn’t matter,” replied Gerard. “Use my name.”
    “I’ve thought a lot about your ideas, Mr. Gerard,” Tom declared. “I grew up with them. When we built the outpost in space, I wondered if it was the first step to the space colonies you envisioned.”
    “And now you have such a thing on Nestria,” smiled Demburton. It was the same smile he had come in with.
    “It’s