Good evening guys and girls, thank you so much for watching theCUBE's live coverage of Google Cloud Next, 23 live from the Moscone Center South in San Francisco, Lisa Martin here with John Furrier. We've been here all day covering all of the news that you may have heard or may not this morning that came from Google and its partner ecosystem. We're going to be continuing that conversation with a 2023 at Google partner of the year. Infosys joins John Furrier and me, Lisa Martin. Scott Cranakis here, the AVP Global Head of Google Cloud Alliance at Infosys and Cheyenne Vijayan, AVP Head of Google Cloud Economy at Infosys, welcome and congratulations, your pin say it, 2023 partner of the year. Scott, talk to us a little bit about Infosys, how you guys are working with Google Cloud and then Cheyenne will get your perspective as well. Sure, absolutely, thank you, thank you for being here. Yeah, thank you for having us. So we have a very strategic relationship with Google Cloud, the partnerships in acceleration mode and there's a in a various couple of different ways. One is definitely capability building around all their different various programs, certifications, specializations, expertise badges and so on. The other is really like aligning as teams in terms of focused accounts, finding synergies like in certain industries and we'll talk more about that today. But we see this as a rapidly growing partnership and quite frankly just excited to be here face to face with a lot of my colleagues at Google Cloud this week. The excitement is really high though right now. I've never seen the excitement or heat for the AI from a real legit business transformation. Absolutely, yeah. Absolutely, absolutely. Share your perspectives. I love your title, The Head of Google Cloud Economy. Talk a little bit about what that is and how you're working with, from Infosys' perspective with the Google Cloud Economy. Sure, sure, sure, absolutely, absolutely. So we have what we call as a very deep 360 degree relationship with Google. What I mean by that is we are each other's large partners and customers of each other. So we deliver a lot of services into Google and the entire Alphabet family on one side. On the other side, we are a very large customer of Google especially in the Asia Pacific area and together we go to market to help our joint customers in their transformation journeys as well. So it's a very, very deep relationship and how that helps us and our customers is that on one side this gives us very deep understanding of Google products and their cutting edge technology. And on the other hand, we couple that with our own industry specific knowledge of all the various industries that we service. Bringing those two together gives us a very, very good base to help our customers. All our customers are in their digital transformation journey, right? So with this combination of capabilities, we're able to really innovate. We are both known for our innovation in our respective areas. We come together, we innovate and we focus on delivering business value, tangible business value to our customers, right? And I can bring it to life with examples, right? Before we get there, let's get the news out about the partner of the year award. You got two awards, so that's notable. Congratulations. What were the areas that you guys were recognized for your leadership and success? Right, so this year we are recognized for both the industry partner of the year and these specialization partner of the year. On the industry side, it is for the supply chain and logistics part. It's a global award and on the specialization side it's for application development. Those were the two areas and it's a nod to, you know, the kind of innovation that we are driving with some of our largest joint customers globally in both these areas. We had Carrie on earlier. She runs industries for Google Cloud and she was talking about how the AI is really disrupting a lot of the process management side of it, so I can imagine on the supply chain side, the innovations coming in must have been really strong. Can you give an example of how you guys have put some new game-changing technology and services in place? Yeah, absolutely, absolutely. So if you look at the supply chain industry or for that matter supply chain and the channel industry, right, some of the biggest challenges that they are facing across the board, you know, including the global leaders, is really focused around getting real time insights into inventory, into changing consumer behavior, into really sensing the demand because it's, you know, that industry is spread across such a huge set of players, right, from where it gets manufactured, the products, the channels, to the retailers, to the distributors and everybody in between and the consumers on the other hand. So that's a huge amount of challenges with respect to gaining insight. So that's the area that we've been helping many customers in and we're doing it in multiple ways. With some of the customers, it's directly about solving their business needs. It's about not just solving for their efficiency and insight relations, but also trying to help them with getting into new market segments, right, getting into completely new, you know, revenue streams for them as well. And I can illustrate with a few examples. That's one side and I'll double click on it. The other is we've paralleled our experiences into certain products that we have built, which actually all these, you know, these industry players can actually consume, that gives them the real time insights into what's happening on the same course. You're connected to all these different partners, be it channel players, distributors, retailers, globally. So we get a level of insight and real time insight into what's happening on the across, that then the, you know, these CPG companies or manufacturing companies or pharma companies can actually, you know, really tap into. And that gives them to not just the visibility, real time visibility, but they also get them a sense of how the consumer behavior is changing as well. So they can in real time adjust their, you know, the product movement across the supply chain, right? So that's what we're doing. We are back on the, some of the very cool innovative ones that we have done. So for example, for one of the leading supply chain players in the Americas, their vision was to become a single stop leading supply chain provider in the US and across North America, right? And for them, what we're doing is we are building a supply chain orchestration engine, completely net new, right? On Google Cloud. And through that, what we're building out is a multimodal marketplace, a highly automated engine, through which at any point in time, you know, any consumer or any company that is taking their services, get real time visibility on how their products are moving and also give them their, you know, an ability to move any product anywhere and get it delivered anywhere across the US. So they work with this platform, integrates pretty much all the major players who are otherwise disparate. You know, disparate. That's what we all want is that real time information. Scott, I want to bring you back into the conversation. Talk a little bit more about, you're the head of the Alliance. How is, is Infosys working with Google Cloud? Talk about the evolution of the partnership. And even some of the, I mean, it was like a cannon of news this morning. Some of the things coming out from Google Cloud that excite you about the direction that it can take the partnership. Yeah, yeah. So thanks for that question. So a lot of it gets into enablement, right? In terms of like what we do, we have a very large company. And just to give it a little bit of perspective, we do these things called Google Cloud Delivery Summits every year. We've done it for the last three years. We just wrapped up our most recent delivery summit. It was two months long, so eight weeks, 21,000 participants, right? Over the course of eight weeks, this included trainings, knowledge sessions, and also a hackathon. We got close to 1,000 people that were certified, right? And we also did a hackathon with over 300 teams involved. So I think it really encapsulates the energy, the excitement, the focus, and also the capabilities that we have inside Infosys for Google Cloud. And like the other award that we won was around app development, application development. And I think it really shows in terms of like, out of the recent, this is one of the largest practices we have inside Infosys. In fact, we're showcasing our Infosys Enterprise Live app development platform this week. It's really around workflows and AI-enabled tools, and really trying to simplify the app modernization journey on GCP. But just between the solution building we're doing, between the delivery summits we're doing, and this is global, right? Obviously, heavy presence in India. But we're doing this all around the globe. We have a new training facility in Indianapolis in the U.S. The excitement is great as the Alliance Manager responsible for this partnership. It's great to see the energy and the focus. Great to see the thousands of people get certified and all the participants that over a week here that shows excitement. The question I have for you, if you don't mind sharing, if people are watching and might have a different perception of Google Cloud from a couple of years ago, what's new now? The other chance to say to someone watching, hey, this is what's up with Google. Get on board or what's the update? How would you share? How would you articulate Google Cloud now versus just even a year or two ago? Yeah. What would you guys say? Great question. Actually, when you look at, let's start from the customer journey of what are they trying to do, right? If you look at the enterprise customers, they're all in this digital transformation journey, right? And digital transformation, if you really boil down to what are the big components of it, there is AI coupled with Cloud. That's what is driving digital transformation. And so if you look at the Google Cloud offerings from that standpoint, they're really leading the pack with that combination of Cloud and AI. Any way ahead on the AI space earlier, now with the combined Cloud plus AI combination, it's really best of breed.  Very, very fast. But the AI part gives you the insights that you can then turn into very quick decisions that can drive up business growth and execution as well. So that combination that Google has got it right now, that's really something which is unique. And that's very, very contextual for any customer who's on their transformation journey today. That's a quick, this thing. Awesome. And how? What did you say? I would say over the last few years, we've both evolved as partnering together. This ranges everything from their partner programs into our capability building that I just spoke about, and then also just the market presence. I think back at three years ago, when I took this role in terms of what was Google Cloud going to be three years from now? And I think we're really happy on where we've both come together as partners. It's interesting, the ecosystem is thriving for Google. The ISVs, the SIs, GSIs all really taking advantage of the Cloud plus AI. Absolutely. Relevance in the enterprise segment has really, really improved over the last several years. When Google came in, it was more of a consumer side and all of those properties, the billion dollar properties. They still cost their own engineers. That's the joke we used to say. They've evolved. Thomas Currian, it's very clear, he came in, he said from day one, we're not going to build products for ourselves because they have a great engineers, and we all know that. Enterprise is, ah, maybe the solutions look good. That's what you guys are going to have. I'd love to hear Scott from your perspective on AI first. We heard that this morning in the keynote from Thomas, from TK, from others as well. What does that mean to Infosys and how does your strategy align with that of Google's, from an alliance lens? Yeah, well, we're an AI first company. In fact, we've rolled out recently in the press, Infosys Topaz. It's actually more of a slogan in terms of Infosys and the fact that we have thousands of assets that solve business challenges for industries, different blueprints, intellectual property on top of Google Cloud that is AI based. And obviously we're now immersed in Gen AI capabilities. But as a company, this isn't even, this isn't a new phenomenon for us. When it comes to AI, we've been doing this for a number of years and it's been the core strategy of our company. And what does it mean to your customers? How do they embrace, approach, adopt an AI first mentality? Yeah, so enablement, evangelization, workshops, right? Making sure that there's an appreciation for the different use cases that apply to their business. In fact, even working with customers in terms of hackathons and bringing like great ideas to the table and then working on AI, whether it's like a CC AI solution or their contact center monetization or so on, but really getting down to real use cases that impact the business day to day. What's great is you guys are a great example of when we were watching the cloud rise emerge, the smart partners build capabilities on top of the cloud in Gen one. You guys were one of them, you mentioned a few examples. Okay, so that you kind of built on top of the hyperscalers, okay? And Google being one of them. Now that investment pays dividends because now AI comes in, you got speed to value much faster, product market fit on things, capabilities, scale. Yeah, absolutely. That you might not have had just putting stuff together, right? I mean, the old model, hey, that's going to probably help bring people together, put a party together, solution. Now you're the solution provider. Correct, absolutely. That's the new game. It's a super cloud experience. You're bringing a multiple environment, cloud market, and multiple elements together at a glue layer. Yeah, absolutely. And then integrating in the customer. Correct, that's exactly what we're done. So for us, we have bought in our several years of experience, right, into two major offerings. One is called Cobalt and the other is Topaz, right? Cobalt is focused on the cloud part, right? So it has got hundreds of thousands of assets that we have built over time from industry platforms all the way to technology adoption accelerators. All of that helps customers to accelerate the journey very quickly because there is this whole layer of customization to be done on the hyperscaler environments in order for enterprises to take advantage of cloud and to get it to a standard that meets their compliance requirements and all that. So the Cobalt set of offerings takes care of that and built on top of that is the Topaz set of offerings. Topaz offerings are focused on the AI and the Gen AI capabilities, right? So we have hundreds of pre-built models. We have- That's your data, it's your knowledge. Right, so we bring all of this so when we get into a client environment, it's very easy to take them on that journey. You know, cut down the time to market or time to value for them because all of these can be easily plugged in, maybe customized if they want it to be. Otherwise just start using them and straight go to value. You know, Lisa and I have been talking about this on theCUBE. Lisa, for many months in the past year and a half, AI scales data, check, makes it smarter, check. It also scales knowledge and intellect and work. Previous body of work in this case, recipes, tempos, whatever you want to call them, use cases. I mean, the combination of all that takes your work and effort, puts it into a scale mode. Got it, yeah. Scale and reuse, speed. The insight, unlocking that value. Yeah, awesome. Absolutely. Well, time to value, you mentioned that, Shayne. Time to value is not just a phrase or a marketing term. There's a lot of, I want to say value to it, but there's a lot of impact that it can make. Last question, Scott, is free as we wrap here. With the news coming out today, the evolution of the event that you guys talked about, the partnership, what are some of the things that we can be looking out for down the six to 12 month road in terms of Infosys and its work with an AI-first Google Cloud? Sure, I'll start and let Shyam add, but obviously AI focused with JNAI, right? Being like a major focus area and investment area for our organization, talking to clients, but also enabling our broader organization from a skill perspective. I would also say that just continue to grow our success with clients, right? We were talking about, you were talking about how this helps to work, like we're selling, like we're focused on business outcomes with our clients, right? And working with Google from an industry standpoint, from our joint solutions, and from an AI and JNAI perspective, we can really deliver business outcomes with our portfolios, but I'll let you add more. Yeah, absolutely, that's our focus, business outcomes, and get it delivered as quickly as possible, and that's where our investments are all going in. And the other thing is, we learn from our own experience. We are an AI-first company within our own operations, right? So that's given us a lot of, we are a global company, right? With presence in about 65 countries, and a global workforce, so there's a lot of- You deliver what you do. Yes, yeah. We have experience and credibility, and smart tissue, as they say, yeah. Exactly, and then that is a product offering to scale. Well, those learnings are critical in agile environments. You're constantly refactoring, and that's the real of the value, it's super, super valuable. Yeah, I think ultimately it's business outcomes at speed and scale without agility. Guys, thank you so much for joining John and me. Congratulations again. Thank you. On the 2023 partner of the award, partner of the year award in two categories. We look forward to watching the emphasis Google platform relationship continue to evolve. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, our pleasure. For our guests and for John Furrier, I'm Lisa Martin. You're watching theCUBE's day one coverage, live, Google Cloud Next. Speaking of next, what's next on our program, our day one wrap. I get to sit down with our three analysts, John, Rob Stryche, Dustin Kirkland. We're going to be really giving you a great 15 minutes synopsis of what we learned today on day one of the event. Stick around, we'll see you in a few minutes.


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And now, stay tuned for the mystery program that is unique among all mystery programs. Because even when you know who is guilty, you always receive a startling surprise at the final curtain. In the signal oil program, the Whistler.  I am the Whistler, and I know many things where I walk by night. I know many strange tales hidden in the hearts of men and women who have stepped into the shadows. Yes, I know the nameless terrors of which they dare not speak. And now for the signal oil company, the Whistler's strange story. A matter of patience. A big car swung in the drive. The front door to the house was already open. A woman on the front porch waiting to speak to John Granger as he stepped from the car and started up the porch steps. It was the housekeeper, and she was very excited, upset. John Granger could tell it even before she spoke. And he also knew that her excitement concerned his wife, Lillian. Mr. Granger!  What is it, Mrs. Alberts? What's wrong? Mrs. Granger, yes. There's been an accident. She cut her wrist. Dr. Phillips is with her now upstairs. Well, I'll go right up. Oh, here's the doctor. Oh, it's all right, Mrs. Alberts. Nothing to get excited about. Oh, hello, Granger. Is Lillian all right? Yes, yes. Scarcely a scratch. I have given her a sedative. Well, can I do anything? No, no. However, I'd like to talk to you a moment if... Well, if we... Excuse us, Mrs. Alberts. Certainly. Call if you need me, Mr. Granger, and good night. Good night. Well, Doctor? And I'll come straight to the point, Granger. Your father-in-law asked me to talk to you. Frankly, DJ is very worried about his daughter. I see. Then you don't think Lillian cut her wrist accidentally? She says it was an accident. But you don't believe it. Well, she's been upset lately over the diet I put her on. Seems to have an abnormal craving for sweets. They're bad for her. Yes, I know. Yeah, furthermore, I'm going to have to make her diet even more strict. No sweets of any kind. That won't be easy with Lillian. You're right. She should have a hobby of some kind, Granger.  I was wondering, as a girl, she used to like photography. Oh, yes. You think she should get interested in it again? I think it would help greatly. Well, I'll certainly do what I can, Doctor. I mean in seeing that she adheres to the diet and help her get started on her hobby. But you know all about Lillian, don't you, John? You're certain it was an accident, the way she cut her wrist. But the others believe she actually tried to take her life. In these past years, there have been times when you wished she would, haven't you? You felt that she's nagged, held you down. And you've had a far different marriage than the one you planned. Particularly since learning that your wife Lillian had no money in her own name. That her father holds everything in a tight reign. The partnership in Dawson & Company. Which you expected but haven't received. But somehow now you believe you can remedy the situation. And that's why you're not at all alarmed the next morning when your father-in-law calls you into his office. I've just talked to Dr. Phillips on the phone, John. Yes, DJ? Yes. Yes, and I've been talking to a few other people, too. Just how long has Eloise Tracy been your secretary? Oh, couple of months, I'd say. And in the last two months, you've scarcely spent one evening at home. Well, I've had a lot of overtime work to do. Where? In nightclubs? You and Eloise have been seen in every club on the sunset strip. Just dropping in for a bite to eat after work. I'll put a stop to that. I'm not good at fire, Eloise. It probably isn't her fault. But I'll exchange secretaries with you for the present. You can have Miss Summers. Miss Summers? She's been your private secretary for years. You couldn't get along without her? Perhaps not. But I'd make any sacrifice for my daughter's happiness. But do you realize that if this came to Lillian's attention, it would kill her? I'm not so sure about that. Well, I am. Lillian is a sensitive girl. That's a matter of opinion, DJ. Oh, she loves you devotedly.  Can't you see if anything happened to your marriage that Lillian might take the most desperate steps? Oh, she'd stop at nothing. Has it ever occurred to you, DJ, that I might want to leave Lillian? What?  I won't stand for it. Oh, now take it easy, DJ. Maybe we can come to terms. What do you mean, terms? I mean, make me a partner in the firm. And I'll agree to stay with Lillian. Anything you say? A partner? Oh, this is practically blackmail. Yes. Isn't it? I see. So our cards are on the table. All right. You will be a partner in the firm. However, the stock that I transfer will be placed in Lillian's name. A deal, John? A hard bargain, DJ. But a deal. Yes. It isn't exactly what you wanted, is it, John? But you feel certain that things will work out. You manage to have a few words with Eloise. Tell her that you can't see so much of each other for a while, at least not in public. Then you leave the office early and go home. You find Mrs. Alberts in the kitchen. Question her about the whereabouts of Lillian. What did you say, Mrs. Alberts, in the tool shed? Yes. Isn't it wonderful, Mr. Granger? She's directing the carpenters. They're making the shed into a studio for Mrs. Granger's photography. Oh, yes, I see. A dark room and everything. Oh, Mr. Granger, you don't know how happy it makes me to see Mrs. Granger taking a real interest in something again. Yes, yes, it's fine, Mrs. Alberts. I'd better go out and see what's going on. That's all we can do today, Mrs. Granger. Hello, Lillian. Men just finishing up, I see. Yes, they've been working so hard all day, they've really earned the rest. Good night, Mrs. Granger. Good night, Fred. They're so nice. Oh, father called me. Just think of you becoming a partner in father's firm. Your father's a very fine man, Lillian. He's very good to us. But you are actually the partner. It doesn't matter as long as we're married. Everything is for both of us, John. Yes. I've always felt that you and father didn't like each other too much. Of course we do. How can we help it? Won't we both have your best interests at heart? I wish I could really believe that. Sometimes I've doubted that you really loved me, John. Oh, I'm sorry if I seem to neglect you, but it's been business. I try to make good in your father's firm by hard work. I've wanted to build a secure future for the two of us, of course. And I'm going to try to do my part, then, by being more cheerful. I'm not going to let anything worry or depress me, and I'm going to work hard on my photography, and... and I'm going to die at it very strictly. Oh, never mind that part. We can't let them bully you too much. We've had little secrets before. We'll simply have another. I don't understand. Well, here. Here, darling, I brought you these. John, chocolate's my favorite, too. Yes, dear. I know what a craving you have for sweets. Tonight I'd like to have a little chat, especially with you motorists who buy most any brand of gasoline that happens to be convenient, because you think gasoline is gasoline. You'd change your mind in a hurry if you'd spend some time around signal service stations, as I do, listening to comments of regular signal customers. You'd hear them telling about records they've kept, which prove the good mileage which has made signal famous as the go farther gasoline. You'd hear them bragging about their car's performance, its lively getaway, and the smooth, quiet way it walks up hills in high since they switched to signal. What's more, there are now so many drivers like this who won't be satisfied with anything less than signal. This summer has been by far the biggest summer in the entire history of signal oil company. Well, friends, when a gasoline is increasing so in popularity, it seems to me you just naturally want to find out what it is about that gasoline which makes motorists prefer it. There's no better time to find out than with your very next tank full of gasoline. No better place to get it than at the very next signal station you see. Well, John, it's going differently than you'd hoped and planned for.  Also, you can count on Lillian to help make your freedom complete. Her desire for sweets is something that you can quietly take advantage of.  You continue to see Eloise Tracy, another secret, and something else over which you must exercise patience. But you managed to play your part well for Lillian's father. And one day, some weeks later, he again called you into his office. This time for a more pleasant conversation. Well, John, my boy, how do you like it? Wow, you let her hit. Dawson, Granger and company. That looks great, DJ. Well, I like it myself now that I'm used to the idea. Well, thanks, thanks, DJ. Frankly, at first I didn't feel that you were the man for Lillian. But I guess I was wrong. She seems very happy lately. She's become very interested in her amateur photography. That was a good idea, Dr. Phillips said. He's greatly encouraged. I talked to him on the phone yesterday. He, uh, he's still concerned about her general health, however. Oh, is that so? I think she's been sticking pretty close to the diet he gave her. Long as she's happy, that's all that matters. You're so right, DJ. Well, I wanted you to be the first to see the new stationery. Now I'll have Miss Hansen see that every department receives a supply. Uh, Miss Hansen? Yes, my new secretary. She started to work this morning. But where's Eloise Tracy? Eloise? She's gone. Has another job. I got it for her myself. You did? Miss Tracy is too attractive to work in a business office. But, uh, I, uh, I didn't want to fire her until I'd lined her up somewhere else. Oh, that was decent of you, DJ. I placed her with one of our biggest accounts. Ramirez, the, uh, the coffee king. Ramirez? But he's located in Brazil. Yes, he wants an American secretary to take back with him. It's just the job for Eloise, don't you think? Give her a chance to travel and all that? Yeah, yeah, just the job. The newest strikes you like a blow in the face, doesn't it, John? Your father-in-law is more aware than you've realized, and more clever. He's arranged to put Eloise out of your reach for good. That's why you're trembling with rage as you leave Dawson's office. Check the files and learn that Ramirez is stopping at the Seneca Hotel on Wilshire. You leave immediately and drive out there. On your call to his suite on the house phone, Eloise answers. She protests to being busy and cannot see you at once. You're pacing the lobby restlessly when she finally steps out of the elevator looking pale and tense. John, you shouldn't have come here. I've got to talk to you, Eloise. Dawson just told me everything. Where can we go to be alone? I only have a few minutes, John. Mr. Ramirez is dictating. Please, Eloise, sit down. Let's talk this over. There's nothing to talk about, John. I've made up my mind. I'm doing what's best for both of us. But you can't do it, Eloise. You can't go to Brazil. It's so far away. I'm going, John. But you can get a job here in Los Angeles. I'll get you one. No. No, that won't do. Eloise, you have me. I can take care of you if necessary. No, John. I thought it over carefully. You must make a clean break.  You know that. Oh, yes, you can, John. You'll have a good life. Your partnership in the Dawson firm? Money? Security? But, Eloise, if I can't share it with you, what's the use? Don't talk like that, John. You're not making it any easier for us. Please, please listen to me, Eloise. No. We've got to face facts. That's all. And I have to consider my own future. Mr. Ramirez will introduce me to people in South America. Well, they fixed it up very nicely between them, haven't they? Ramirez and Dawson. John. Can't you see? It's just DJ's trick to separate us. John, you're married. I intend to be someday. Oh, I see. The queen of a coffee plantation. Oh. And I, with my nagging queen, Lillian. Oh, there's no use being bitter. Please, I have to go back up. When do you leave? We're sailing two weeks. Mr. Ramirez has business here that he must take care of first. Then we'll see each other again. No, John. I don't think so. But, Eloise... We'll make it goodbye now. It's better this way. Goodbye, John. Think of me, won't you?  You can't let DJ see you this way. And so you call the office, then drive on out to your home in the valley. On the way, you try to think things out. One thing is certain, you must not lose Eloise. She loves you, you'll know that. And by the time you reach the house, you've decided to talk to Lillian about a divorce. As you enter the living room, Mrs. Alberts, the housekeeper, calls out to you. Mr. Granger? Yes, Mrs. Alberts. Oh, I've got to talk to you privately, sir. Now, while Mrs. Granger is busy out in her studio... What's it about, Mrs. Alberts? Well, it's about her, Mrs. Granger. I'm afraid something terrible is going to happen, sir. Now, please calm yourself, Mrs. Alberts. What are you talking about? Oh, it's just awful. I thought everything was going along so well. Mrs. Granger's been cheerful and calm, but this afternoon, I found it. You found what? The bottle of poison.  Oh, that's ridiculous. She's been saying that for years. No, no, it's true. I found the bottle in her room. It was marked poison, a hydro, something I can't remember the name. Where is the bottle? Let me see it. Well, that's just it. I can't. It's gone. Gone? Yes. I went to telephone you about it, but you weren't in your office. And then when I went back to get the poison, it was gone. I see. Yes. Well, never mind, Mrs. Alberts. I'll take care of everything. Oh, well, perhaps you could have a talk with Mrs. Granger. Yes, yes. But for now, please just put the whole thing out of your mind. Yes, sir. This changes your plans, doesn't it, John? And suddenly you decide not to mention divorce to Lillian. Not for the present. Because you might work things out another way. But you have made another decision. And later that night, after Lillian has gone to bed, you again talk to the old housekeeper. A vacation, Mr. Granger? Well, I hadn't thought of such a thing. Do you think it would be wise for me to leave Mrs. Granger just now? Well, I'm going to take some time off from the office, so I can be with her more, Mrs. Alberts. Oh, now she'd like that, I'm sure. Yes, I'm going to spend the next couple of weeks showing her a good time. We'll go on some little trips together, and she can take some film with that new 16-millimeter camera. But what about the housework? Oh, we'll manage. Lillian likes to cook, you know. Oh, yes, she does. She always insists on making your desserts. Oh, the darn good desserts, too. Yes, she has a secret recipe. Still, sir, I don't like to take a vacation just now. Oh, now, now, it's all settled, Mrs. Alberts. Do you good? Well, I would like to visit my sister in Ohio. Yes, I haven't seen her for years, sir. Well, see her by all means. The trip will be a present from us. Oh, thank you. Thank you, Mr. Granger. I'll give you my address. And if you need me, you just call. I'll come right back home. With a housekeeper away, everything should work out beautifully, shouldn't it, John? In the days that follow Mrs. Alberts' departure, you watch Lillian closely. She does seem nervous, even depressed. Still, you can't believe she actually intends taking her own life. But the important thing is what the others think, isn't it, John? Yes. And you can't wait too much longer now. Because in your fewer attempts to see Eloise Tracy, she refuses to talk to you. She'll soon leave for Brazil unless you change your plan. One evening shortly before Mrs. Alberts is due to return, you and Lillian are finishing dinner. How did you like the dessert, John? Excellent as usual. Now, what is it, Lillian? My secret recipe. You really do like it, don't you? Oh, you bet I do. Why aren't you having any? No, I've had my sweets for today. The chocolates you put in my studio. Oh, well. There are only a few. But, you know, you should stick to your diet. To tell you the truth, John, I've stopped worrying about it. These last weeks have been wonderful. I've been very happy. I'm glad, Lillian. The photography's very interesting, and I've all sorts of plans. And now for our trip tomorrow. Oh, I'm sorry, Lillian. I'm afraid we'll have to postpone the trip. I've got to go to the office tomorrow. Oh. Well, that's all right, dear. I have a lot I can do. I'll develop the film we took the other day. And then I can work on some redeveloping fluid. I've been intending to do that for some time. I bought the hydrocyanic acid several weeks ago.  Lillian had no intention of taking your life, none at all. It was merely a foolish suspicion on the part of Mrs. Albus. The acid was for her photography.  It's an idea you've been toying with, isn't it? A simple, effective idea. With some of that poison acid injected into the chocolates that you put in Lillian's studio. It will fit in so perfectly with Mrs. Albert's suspicions when she testifies later that she found the poison in Lillian's room and feared a suicide trial. That night after Lillian goes to bed, you take care of everything, carefully injecting the chocolates with the poison and putting them in the regular place in his studio. In the morning as you leave for the office, Lillian is in excellent spirits. Well, I've got to go, dear. Sorry we had to cancel our trip today. Oh, it doesn't matter. I have a full day planned. I'll be in the studio all day. Well, don't work too hard. I'll try not to. Oh, by the way, Mrs. Albert's coming back this morning. Oh, today? Yes. Well, isn't that sooner than expected? Well, I had a telegram from her a couple of days ago. I forgot to mention it. I see. Uh, what time does her train get in? At ten. She'll take a taxi from the station. She'll be here about eleven. Eleven. I'm going to leave a note for her in the kitchen, telling her I'll be out in the studio all day and not to disturb me. Oh, well, that's a very good idea, Lillian. A very good idea. The morning passes slowly at the office, doesn't it, John? You try to keep your mind on business, but it's out of the question as you wonder what's happening at home. Wonder if Mrs. Albert's arrived if she saw Lillian's note. You toy with the papers on your desk, dictate a few uninspired letters. Finally, it's twelve o'clock. Then, twelve-thirty. Then, one. You decide to go out to lunch, but can scarcely eat. Then, as you return to the office, you meet your father-in-law in the reception room. Uh, Ramirez called while you were out, John. Seems he wants to reword one of the clauses in our contract. Probably just a detail. Ramirez. Oh, yes, he sails tomorrow, doesn't he? Yes, in the morning. You better drive out to the Seneca Hotel right away. Right away. If it's anything important, uh, give me a ring. Oh, John.  But I've called you so often. I've wanted to see you. I know, but I thought, John, it's just no use. I'm not going to Brazil. I can't. I've always done it. Have you told Mr. Ramirez? Not yet, he's out. You mean he doesn't want to see me? No, John. I just used the contract as an excuse to get you to come. I wanted to talk to you. To see how you felt. John, I'm sure I'm doing the right thing by staying here in town. Yes, Eloise. I'm sure. Sureer than I've ever been.  So that part, at least, is settled. Eloise will remain in town. When you enter your own offices, you know that something is wrong, that they've received word. There's a strained atmosphere which you can almost feel. And the voice of the receptionist borders on hysteria as she tells you that Mr. Dawson wants to see you at once. Boy, John. Well, DJ, what's the matter? I tried to reach you at the scenic and you'd left. What is it? What's happened? It's Lillian, John. Lillian? She's dead. Mrs. Albert's phone. I can't believe it. It's true. But why did she do it? She was in good spirits. I've tried. I've... Oh, it wasn't that. It was an accident. An accident? Yes, a fire. She was working in her studio. Mrs. Albert's happened to look out of the kitchen window and she saw smoke coming out of the studio. But the fire, how could it have started? Oh, a cigarette, they believe. She must have fainted and dropped a cigarette on some film. She suffocated. I simply can't believe it. Poor Lillian. And she was so happy. We were getting along so beautifully. I... I won't forget that part of it, John. You've been wonderful. You kept your part of the bargain. It wasn't just a bargain, DJ. Not anymore. We've been very happy these past weeks. I won't forget it. I promise you. You'll stay on as my partner. Whatever you wish, DJ. Reduces engine wear 50%. It's today's biggest news in motor oil. Reduces engine wear 50%. It's today's best news for motorists. Yes, new signal premium, the amazing new heavy-duty type motor oil that reduces engine wear due to lubrication 50% can mean wonderful things to you in both savings and performance. Reducing engine wear 50% means your car can now run twice as many miles before needing an overhaul due to engine wear. So, new signal premium saves you on upkeep. Reducing engine wear 50% means that your car will keep its like new pep and power twice as long. So, new signal premium increases driving pleasure. Yet this superior quality lubricant that gives you all these extra benefits is yours at no increase in price at signal service station. So, remember where to get your next oil change at a signal station. Remember the oil to change to new signal premium, the heavy-duty type motor oil that reduces engine wear due to lubrication 50%. It's all over, isn't it, John? Your patience has been rewarded, hasn't it? And the extra good fortune of the fire hid all traces of the poison chocolates, with everyone completely convinced that Lillian died in the accidental burning of the little photography studio. You're certain that it happened another way, aren't you? Yes, that she became dizzy after taking the poison candy, dizzy and unsteady, and that's why she dropped her cigarette from her shaking hand. But it doesn't matter now, does it, John? Even Lillian's father believes in you, intends a reward for your faithfulness to his daughter.  You're almost unable to hide the inner joy you feel as Mrs. Alberts comes in. Shall I take the train, Mr. Granger? Why, you've scarcely eaten anything. I know, Mrs. Alberts, I'm sorry. Oh, but you must keep up your strength, sir. Yes, yes, I suppose so. Yes, anyway, you did eat most of your dessert. That would have pleased Mrs. Granger. Yes, perhaps it would.  Probably because she couldn't eat any sweets herself. I often felt guilty about it. I can just see her now. Melting that candy. Melting candy? What candy? Why, the chocolates you put in her studio for. She never touched a bite of them, sir. What? Well, she didn't want to hurt your feelings. She always melted your chocolate down and made them into your dessert. My dessert? Yes, another of her secret recipes, poor dear. Why, one of the last things she did this very afternoon was to bring in the candy and make that dessert you just finished eating. Let that whistle be your signal for the signal oil program The Whistler each Sunday night at the same time. Signal Oil Company has asked me to remind you now that school days are here again it's even more important to drive at sensible speeds be courteous and obey traffic regulations. It may save a life. Possibly a child. Featured in tonight's story were Bill Foreman as The Whistler Hi-Avaback, Jean Cagney, Marty Margetts, Martha Wentworth, Ted Von Els and Hal Dawson. The Whistler was produced and directed by George W. Allen with story by George Adrian and Carol Nix. Music by Wilbur Hatch and was transmitted to our troops overseas by the Armed Forces Radio Service. The Whistler is entirely fictional and all characters portrayed on The Whistler are also fictional. Any similarity of names or resemblance to persons living or dead is purely coincidental. Remember to tune in at the same time next Sunday when the Signal Oil Company will bring you another strange story by The Whistler. Marvin Miller speaking for The Signal Oil Company. Stay tuned now for the Horace Height Show which follows immediately over most of these stations. This is the CBS Radio Network.


The seismic review committee gets involved in all the seismic retrofits for all buildings on the campus. The stadium was a particularly difficult one in the sense that it's a big facility, straddling a fault. And here we were using a technique that really hadn't been tried before. So this was a unique opportunity to implement a new design. And so the collaboration between the review committee and the engineers was especially important here. The key points on which we assisted were in understanding where the fault was, understanding how to build a structure that can straddle the fault and survive fault movement without severe damage, and then also helping, especially with the press box, which is a very flexible structure, helping design ways in which that structure could be safe and dissipate the energy of the earthquake when the big one comes. Stadium uses this notion of sliding joints and bunkers that are able to move independently when the ground shakes. This is a new idea in design, but in fact it's something that we've observed in past earthquakes accidentally. We've had bunker-like buildings that have straddled the fault, and we've seen how the fault actually moves through and around those buildings. So we're standing in the upper part of the seating bowl right near the stadium club level, and right above us is going to be the press box. It's going to be a two-level press box with a press function and then a luxury suite above that. This press box will be supported on top of the core walls that you see here. These core walls go all the way to the foundation, but they're disconnected at every level. There's a joint which allows those cores to move, and at one level we've connected those with large shock absorbers to the rest of the structure. So this entire thing can rock back and forth inside of the stadium. We're actually standing on top of one of these seismic rupture blocks. So this entire building is sitting on a four-foot mat of concrete. Underneath that are layers of sand and high-density plastic. Those allow this entire piece of the building to shift without getting hung up on the ground. And in combination with the joints on the sides, this entire part of the stadium can just move as the ground moves. Right here, we've literally cut the old wall so that when this entire piece of the building moves, then instead of cracking up the old wall, it'll just cleanly shift by it. Every seismic retrofit problem is a difficult problem, but the memorial stadium, this is going to be in the textbooks. It's unique. Nobody's tried this before, and the solution is a marvelous one that everyone's going to want to know about.


Chapter 22 of Tom Swift and His Aerial Worship This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Scott Sherris. Tom Swift and His Aerial Worship by Victor Appleton Chapter 22 Apprehensions For a moment or two, after the ropes binding his hands were loosed, Tom Swift did nothing. He was not only stunned mentally, but the bonds had been pulled so tightly about his wrists that the circulation was impeded and his cramped muscles required a little time in which to respond. But presently he felt the tingle of the coursing blood and he felt he could move his arms.  Now he could talk. I'll loosen you all in just a second, he said, as he bent over to pick at a knot of rope around his legs. His own voice sounded strange to him. I don't know what it's all about, any more than you do, he went on speaking to the others. It's a fierce game we're up against, and we've got to make the best of it. As soon as we can move and talk, we'll decide what's best to do. Whatever these fellows are, and I believe they are the foreign spies I've been warned about, they are in complete possession of the airship. Tom found it no easy matter to loosen the bonds on his feet. The ropes were well tied, and Tom's fingers were stiff from the lack of circulation of blood. But finally he managed to free himself. When he stood up in the dim store room, that was now a prison for all safe cokoo. He found that he could not walk. He almost toppled over, so weak were his legs from the tightness of the ropes. He sat down and worked his muscles until they felt normal again. A few minutes later, weak and rather tottery, he managed to reach Mr. Damon, whom he first unbound. He realized that Mr. Damon was the oldest of his friends and consequently would suffer most. And it was characteristic of the eccentric gentleman that, as soon as his gag was removed, he burst out with, �Bless my wristlets, Tom! What does it all mean? That's more than I can say, Mr. Damon,� replied Tom with a mournful shake of his head. �I'm very sorry it happened, for it looks as though I hadn't taken proper care. The idea of those men stowing themselves away on board here and me not knowing it, and then coming out unexpectedly and getting possession of the craft, it doesn't speak very well for my smartness. �Oh well, Tom, anyone might have been fooled by these plodding foreigners,� said Mr. Damon. �Now we'll try to turn matters about and get the best of them. Oh, but it feels good to be free once more.� He stretched his benumbed and stiffened limbs and then helped Tom free the others. They stood up, looking at each other in their dimly-lighted prison. �Well, if this isn't the limit, I don't know what is!� cried Ned Newton. �They got the best of you, Tom,� spoke Lieutenant Marbury. �Are they really foreign spies?� asked Captain Warner. �Yes,� replied his assistant. �They managed to carry out the plot we tried to frustrate. It was a good trick, too, hiding on board and coming out with a rush. �Is that what they did?� asked Mr. Damon. �It looks so,� observed Tom. �The attack must have started in the engine room,� he went on, with a look at Mount Inventor. �What happened there?� he asked. �Well, that's about the way it was,� answered the engineer. �We were working away, making some adjustments, oil in the parts, and seeing that everything was running smoothly, when all at once I heard Koku yell. He had gone in the oil room. At first I thought something had gone wrong with the ship, but when I looked at the giant, I saw he was being attacked by four strange men, and before I or any of the other men could do anything, they all swarmed down on us. �There must have been a dozen of them, and they simply overwhelmed us. One of them hit Koku on the head with an iron bar, and that took all the fight out of the giant, or this story might have been a different one. As it was, we were overpowered, and that's all I know until we were carried in here and saw you folks all tied up as we were. �They burst in on us in the same way,� Tom explained. �But where did they come from? Where were they hiding? �In the oil and gas storeroom that opens out of the motor compartment,� answered Mount, the engineer. �It isn't half full, you know, and there's room for more than a dozen men in it. They must have gone in some time last night when the airship was in the hangar and remained hidden among the boxes and barrels until they got ready to come out and overpower us. �That's it,� decided Tom, �but I don't understand how they got in. The hangar was well guarded all night. �Some of your men might have been bribed,� suggested Ned. �Yes, that is so,� admitted Tom, and later he learned that such had been the case. The foreign spies, for as such they were, had managed to corrupt one of Tom's trusted employees, who had looked the other way when Lafoye and his fellow conspirators sneaked into the airship shed and secreted themselves. �Well, discussing how they got on board isn't going to do us any good now,� Tom remarked ruefully. �The question is, what are we going to do? �Bless my fountain pen,� cried Mr. Damon. �There's only one thing to do! �What is that?� asked Ned. �Why, get out of here, call a policeman and have these scoundrels arrested. I'll prosecute them. I'll have my lawyer on hand to see that they get the longest terms the statutes call for. Bless my pocketbook, but I will.� And Mr. Damon waxed, quite indignant. �That's easier said than done,� observed Tom swift quietly. In the first place, it isn't going to be an easy matter to get out of here. He looked around the storeroom, which was then in their prison. It was illuminated by a single electric light which showed some boxes and barrels piled in the rear. �Nothing in them to help us get out,� Tom went on, for he knew what the contents were. �Oh, we'll get out,� declared Ned confidently. �But I don't believe we'll find a policeman ready to take our complaint. The upper air isn't very well patrolled as yet. �That's so,� agreed Mr. Damon. �I forgot we were in an airship. But what is to be done, Tom? We really are capped as aboard our own craft.� �Yes, worse luck,� returned the young inventor. �I feel foolish when I think how we let them take us prisoners.� �We couldn't help it,� Ned commented. �They came on to us too suddenly. We didn't have a chance. And they outnumbered us two to one. If they could take care of being Koku, what chance did we have? �Very little,� said Engineer Mound. �They were two desperate fellows. They knew something about aircraft, too. For as soon as Koku, Venter, and I were disposed of, some of them went at the machinery as if they had been used to running at all their lives. �Oh, the foreigners are experts when it comes to craft of the air,� said Captain Warner. �Well, they seem to be running her all right,� admitted the young inventor, �and at good speed, too. They have increased our running rate, if I'm any judge. �By several miles an hour,� confirmed the assistant pilot, �though in which direction they're heading and what they're going to do with us is more than I can guess.� �That's so,� agreed Mr. Damon. �What is to become of us? They may heave us overboard into the ocean.� �Into the ocean?� cried Ned apprehensively. �Are we near the sea? We must be by this time,� spoke Tom. �We were headed in that direction, and we have come almost far enough to put us somewhere over the Atlantic, off the Jersey coast. A look of apprehension was on the faces of all, but Tom's face did not remain clouded long. �We won't try to swim unless we have to,� he said. �Now let's take an account of stock and see if we have any means of getting out of this prison.� End of Chapter 22 Recording by Scott Sherris, Atlanta, Georgia, USA Chapter 23 of Tom Swift and His Aerial Worship This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Scott Sherris Tom Swift and His Aerial Worship by Victor Appleton Chapter 23 Across the Sea With one accord, the hands of the captives sought their pockets. Probably the first thought of each was the knife, a pocket knife, but blank looks succeeded their first hopeful ones, for the hands came out empty. �Not a thing!� exclaimed Mr. Damon. �Not a blessed thing! They have even taken my keys and my fountain pen! �I guess they searched us all while they were struggling with us, tying us up,� suggested Ned. �I had a knife with a big, strong blade, but it's gone. �So is mine,� echoed Tom. �And I haven't even a screwdriver or a pocket wrench,� declared the engineer. �Though I had both.� �They evidently knew what they were doing,� said Lieutenant Marbury. �I don't usually carry a revolver, but of late I have had a small automatic in my pocket. That's gone, too.� �And so are all my things,� went on his naval friend. �That Frenchman, La Foy, was taking no chances. �Well, if we haven't any weapons or means of getting out of here, we must make them,� said Tom, as hopefully as he could, under the circumstances. �I don't know all the things that were put in this storeroom, and perhaps there may be something we can use. �Shall we make the try now?� asked Ned. �I'm getting thirsty, at least. Lucky we had supper before they came out at us. �Well, there isn't any water in here or anything to eat, so of much I am sure,� went on Tom. �So we will have to depend on our captors for that.� �At least we can shout and ask for water,� said Lieutenant Marbury. �They have no excuse for being needlessly cruel. �They all agreed that this might not be a bad plan, and were preparing to raise a united shout when there came a knock on the door of their prison. �Are you willing to listen to reason?� asked a voice they recognized as that of La Foy. �What do you mean by reason?� asked Tom bitterly. �You have no right to impose any conditions on us.� �I have the right of might, and I intend exercising it,� was the sharp rejoinder. �If you will listen to reason, which kind? Yours are ours,� asked Tom pointedly. �Mine, in this case,� snapped back the Frenchman. �What I was going to say was that I do not intend to starve you or cause you discomfort by thirst. I am going to open the door and put in food and water, but I warn you that any attempt to escape would be met with severe measures. �We are in sufficient force to cope with you. I think you have seen that.� He spoke calmly and in perfect English, though with a marked accent. �My men are armed and will stand here ready to meet violence with violence,� he went on. �Is that understood?� For a moment, none of the captors replied. �I think it will be better to give in to him, at least for a while,� said Captain Warner in a low voice to Tom. �We need water and will soon need food. We can think and plan better if we are well nourished.� �Then you think I should promise not to raise a row? For the time being, yes. �Well, I am waiting,� came in sharp tones from the other side of the portal. �Our answer is yes,� spoke Tom. �We will not try to get out just yet,� he added significantly. A key was heard grating in the lock, and a moment later the door slid back. Through the opening could be seen Lafoy and some of his men standing armed. Others had packages of food and jugs of water, and plentiful supply of the ladder was carried aboard the Mars. �Keep back from the door,� was the stern command of Lafoy. �The food and drink will be passed in only if you keep away from the entrance. Remember, my men are armed.� The warning was hardly needed, for the weapons could plainly be seen. Tom had half a notion that perhaps a concerted rush would carry the day for him and his friends, but he was forced to abandon that idea. While the guards looked on, others of the pirate crew, as Ned dubbed them, passed in food and water. Then the door was locked again. They all felt better after drinking the water, which was made cool by evaporation, for the airship was quite high above the earth when Tom's enemies captured it, and the young inventor felt sure he had not descended any. No one felt much like eating, however, so the food was put away for a time, and then, somewhat refreshed, they began looking about for some means of getting out of their prison. �Of course we might batter down the door in time by using some of these boxes as rams,� said Tom, �but the trouble is that would make a noise and they could stand outside and drive us back with guns and pistols, of which they seemed to have plenty. �Yes, and they could turn some of your own quick fires on us,� added Captain Warner. �No, we must work quietly, I think, and take them unawares as they took us. That is our only plan.� �We will be better able to see what we have here by daylight,� Tom said. �Suppose we wait until morning?� That plan was deemed best, and preparations made for spending the night in their prison. It was a most uncomfortable night for all of them. The floor was their only bed, and they were only covering some empty bags that had contained supplies, but even under these circumstances they managed to doze off fitfully. Once they were all awakened by a violent plunging of the airship, the craft seemed to be trying to stand on her head, and then she rocked violently from side to side, nearly turning turtle. �What is it?� gasped Ned, who was lying next to Tom. �They must be trying some violent stunts,� replied the young inventor, �or else we have run into a storm.� �I think the latter is the case,� observed Lieutenant Marbury. And as the motion of the craft kept up, though less violently, this was accepted as the explanation. Through the night the Mars flew, but wither the captives knew not. The first gray streaks of dawn finally shone through the only window of their prison. Sore, lame, and stiff, wearied in body and disturbed in mind, the captives awoke. Tom's first move was toward the window. It was high up, but by standing on a box he could look through it. He uttered an exclamation. �What is it?� asked Ned, swaying to and fro from the violent motion of the aerial worship. �We are away out over the sea,� spoke Tom, �and in the midst of a bad storm.� End of Chapter 23 Recording by Scott Sherris, Atlanta, Georgia, USA Chapter 24 of Tom Swift and His Aerial Worship This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Scott Sherris Tom Swift and His Aerial Worship by Victor Appleton Chapter 24 The Lightning Bolt Tom turned away from the window to find his companions regarding him anxiously. �A storm,� repeated Ned. �What sort?� �It might turn into any sort,� replied Tom. �All I can see now is a lot of black clouds, and the wind must be blowing pretty hard for there's quite a sea on.� �Bless my galvanometer,� cried Mr. Damon. �Then we are out over the ocean again, Tom.� �Yes, there's no doubt of it. � �What part?� asked the assistant pilot. �That's more than I can tell,� Tom answered. �Suppose I take a look,� suggested Captain Warner. �I have done quite a bit of sailing in my time.� �But when he had taken a look through the window at which Tom had been standing, the naval officer descended, shaking his head. �There isn't a land,� marked in sight, he announced. �We might be over the middle of the Atlantic for all I could tell.� �Hardly as far as that,� spoke Tom. �They haven't been pushing the Mars at that speed, but we may be across to the other side before we realize it.� �How's that?� asked Ned. �Well, the ship is in the possession of these foreign spies,� went on Tom. �All their interests are in Europe, though it would be hard to say what nationality is in command here. �I think there are even some Englishmen among those who attacked us, as well as French, Germans, Italians, and Russians.� �Yes, it seems to be a combination of European nations against us,� admitted Captain Warner. �Probably after they have made good their seizure of Tom's aerial warship, they will portion her out among themselves, or use her as a model from which to make others.� �Do you think that is their object?� asked Mr. Damon. �Undoubtedly,� was the Captain's answer. �It has been the object of these foreign spies all along, not only to prevent the United States from enjoying the benefits of these progressive inventions, but to use them for themselves. They would stop at nothing to gain their ends. It seems we did not sufficiently appreciate their power and daring.� �Well, they've got us at any rate,� observed Tom, �and they may take us and the ship to some far off foreign country.� �If they don't heal us overboard halfway there,� commented Ned in rather gloomy tones. �Well, of course there's that possibility,� admitted Tom. �They are desperate characters.� �Well, we must do something,� declared Lieutenant Marbury. �Come, it's daylight now, and we can see to work better. Let's see if we can't find a way to get out of this prison.� �Say, but this sure is a storm,� he cried as the airship rolled and pitched violently. �They are handling her well, though,� observed Tom, �as the craft came quickly to an even keel. Either they have a number of expert birdmen on board, or they can easily adapt themselves to a new aircraft, she is sailing splendidly.� �Well, let's eat something and set to work,� proposed Ned. �They brought out the food which had been given them the night before, but before they could eat this there came a knock on the door and more food and fresh water was handed in, under the same precautions as before.� �Tom and his companions indignantly demanded to be released, but their protests were only laughed at and while the guards stood with ready weapons the door was again shut and locked. But the prisoners were not the kind to sit idly down in the face of this. Under Tom's direction they set about looking through their place of captivity for something by which they could release themselves. At first they found nothing, and Ned even suggested trying to cut away through the wooden walls with a fingernail file which he had found in one of his pockets when Tom, who had gone to the far end of the storeroom, uttered a cry. �What is it, a way out?� asked Lieutenant Marbury anxiously. �No but means to that end� Tom replied. �Look, a file and a saw left here by some of my workmen perhaps.� And he brought out the tools. He had found them behind a barrel in the far end of the compartment. �Hooray!� cried Ned. �That�s the ticket. Now we�ll soon show these fellows what�s what. �Go easy� cautioned Tom. �We must work carefully. It won�t do to slam around and try to break down the door with these. �I think we�d better select a place on the side wall, break through that, and make an opening where we can come out unnoticed. Then, when we are ready, we can take them by surprise. We�ll have to do something like that for they outnumber us, you know.� �That is so� agreed Captain Warner. �We must use strategy. �Well, where would be a good place to begin to burrow out?� asked Ned. �Here� said Tom, indicating a place far back in the room. �We can work there in turns, sawing a hole through the wall. It will bring us out in the passage between the aft and a mid-chip cabins and we can go either way. �Then let�s begin� cried Ned enthusiastically, and they set to work. While the aerial warship pitched and tossed in the storm, over some part of the Atlantic, Tom and his friends took turns in working their way to freedom. With a sharp end of the file, a small hole was made, the work being done as slowly as a rat-nause, so as to make no noise that would be heard by their captors. In time, the hole was large enough to admit the end of the saw. But this took many hours, and it was not until the second day of their captivity that they had the hole nearly large enough for the passage of one person at a time. They had not been discovered, they thought. Meanwhile, they had been given food and water at intervals, but to all demands that they be released, or at least told why they were held prisoners, a deaf ear was turned. They could only guess at the fate of Koku. Probably the giant was kept bound, for once he got the chance to use his enormous strength, it might go hard with the foreigners. The Mars continued to fly through the air, sometimes as Tom and his friends could tell by the motion, she was almost stationary in the upper regions, and again she seemed to be flying at top speed. Occasionally there came the sound of firing. �They�re trying my guns�, observed Tom grimly. �Do you suppose they�re being attacked?� asked Ned hopefully. �Hardly� replied Captain Warner. �The United States possesses no craft able to cope with this one in aerial warfare, and they are hardly engaging in part of the European war yet. I think they are just trying Tom�s new guns.� Later our friends learned that such was the case. The storm had either passed or the Mars had run out of the path of it, after the first few hours of pitching and tossing, the atmosphere seemed reduced to a state of calm. All the while they were secretly working to gain their freedom so they might attack and overpower their enemies, they took occasional observations from the small window, but they could learn nothing of their whereabouts. They could only view the heaving ocean far below them, or see a massive cloud mist which hid the earth, if so be that that the Mars was sailing over land. �But how much longer can they keep it up?� asked Ned. �Well, we have fuel and supplies aboard for nearly two weeks� Tom answered. �And by the end of that time we may all be dead� spoke the young bank clerk despondently. �No, we�ll be out of here before then� declared Lieutenant Marbury. Indeed the hole was now almost large enough to enable them to crawl out one at a time. They could not, of course, see how it looked from the outside, but Tom had selected a place for its cutting so that the sawdust and the mark of the panel that was being removed would not ordinarily be noticeable. They set night as the time for making the attempt, late at night when it was hoped that most of their captors would be asleep. Finally the last cut was made, and a piece of wood hung over the opening only by a shred, all ready to knock out. �We�ll do it at midnight� announced Tom. Anxious indeed were those last hours of waiting. The time had almost arrived for the attempt, when Tom, who had been nervously pacing to and fro, remarked, �We must be running into another storm. Feel how she heaves and rolls.� Indeed the Mars was most unsteady. �It sure is a storm� cried Ned, �and a heavy one, too,� for there came a burst of thunder that seemed like a report of Tom�s giant cannon. In another instant they were in the midst of a violent thunderstorm, the airship pitching and tossing in a manner to almost throw them from their feet. As Tom reached up to switch on the electric light again, there came a flash of lightning that well-nigh blinded them, and so close after it as to seem simultaneous, there came such a crash of thunder as to stun them all. There was a tingling as of a thousand pins and needles in the body of each of the captives, and a strong smell of sulfur. Then as the echoes of the claptide away, Tom yelled, �She�s been struck! The airship has been struck!� End of Chapter 24, Recording by Scott Sherris, Atlanta, Georgia, USA Chapter 25 of Tom Swift and His Aerial Worship This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Scott Sherris, Tom Swift and His Aerial Worship by Victor Appleton Chapter 25 Freedom For a moment there was silence, following Tom�s wild cry in the noise of the thunderclap. Then, as other, though less loud reverberations of the storm continued to sound, the captives awoke to a realization of what had happened. They had been partially stunned and were almost as in a dream. �Are we all right?� stammered Ned. �Bless my soul, what has happened?� cried Mr. Damon. �We�ve been struck by lightning,� Tom repeated. �I don�t know whether we�re all right or not. �We seem to be falling!� exclaimed Lieutenant Marbury. �If the whole gas bag isn�t ripped to pieces, we�re lucky,� commented Jerry Mound. Indeed, it was evident that the Mars was sinking rapidly. To all, there came the sensation of riding in an elevator in a skyscraper and being dropped a score of stories. Then, as they stood there in the darkness, illuminated only by flashes from the lightning outside the window, waiting for an unknown fate, Tom Swift uttered a cry of delight. �We�ve stopped falling,� he cried. �The automatic gas machine is pumping! Part of the gas bag was punctured, but the unbroken compartments hold. �If part of the gas leaked out, I don�t see why it wasn�t all set on fire and exploded,� observed Captain Warner. �It�s a non-burnable gas,� Tom quickly explained. �But come on, this may be our very chance. There seems to be something going on that may be in our favor.� Indeed, the captives could hear confused cries and their running to and fro of many feet. He made for the sod panel and, in another instant, had burst out and was threw it out into the passageway between the after and the midship cabins. His companions followed him. They looked into the rear cabin or motor compartment and a scene of confusion met their gaze. Two of the foreign men who had seized the ship lay stretched out on the floor near the humming machinery, which had been left to run itself. A look in the other direction toward the main cabin showed a group of the foreign spies bending over the inert body of Lafoy, the Frenchman, stretched out on a couch. �What has happened?� cried Ned. �What does it all mean? �The lightning!� exclaimed Tom. �The bolt that struck the ship has knocked out some of our enemies. Now is the time to attack them.� The Mars seemed to have passed completely through a narrow storm belt. She was now in a quiet atmosphere, though behind her could be seen the fitful play of lightning and there could be heard the distant rumble of thunder. �Come on!� cried Tom. �We must act quickly while they are demoralized. �Come on!� His friends needed no further urging. Jerry Mound and the machinist rushed to the engine room to look after any of the enemy that might be there, while Tom, Ned, and the others ran into the middle cabin. �Grab them! Tie them up!� cried Tom, for they had no weapons with which to make an attack. But none were needed. So stunned were the foreigners by the lightning bolt, which had miraculously passed our friends and so unnerved by the striking down of Lafoy, their leader, that they seemed like men half asleep. Before they could offer any resistance, they were bound with the same ropes that had held our friends in bondage. That is, all but the big Frenchman himself. He seemed beyond the need of binding. Mound, the engineer, and his assistant came hurrying in from the motor room followed by Coco. �We found him chained up!� Jerry explained as the big giant freed from his captivity rubbed his shaved wrists. �Are there any of the foreigners back there? Only those two knocked out by the lightning,� the engineer explained. �We've made them secure. I see you've got things here in shape.� �Yes,� replied Tom, �and now to see where we are and to get back home.� �Whew! But this has been a time. Coco, what happened to you? �They know that anything happened. I be in chains all the while,� the giant answered. �Jump on me before I can do anything. �Well, you're out now, and I think we'll have you stand guard over these men. The tables are turned,� Coco. �The bound ones were carried to the same prison once our friends had escaped, but their bonds were not taken off, and Coco was put in the place with them. By this time Lafoye and the two other stricken men showed signs of returning to life. They had only been stunned. The young inventor and his friends, once more in possession of their airship, lost little time in planning to return. They found that the spies were all expert aeronauts and had kept a careful chart of their location. They were then halfway across the Atlantic and in a short time longer would probably have been in some foreign country, but Tom turned the Mars about. The craft had only been slightly damaged by the lightning bolt, though three of the gas bag compartments were torn. The others sufficed, however, to make the ship sufficiently buoyant. When morning came, Tom and his friends had matters running almost as smoothly as before their capture. The prisoners had no chance to escape, and indeed they seemed to have been broken in spirit. Lafoye was no longer the insolent mocking Frenchman that he had been, and the two chief foreign engineers seemed to have lost some of their reason when the lightning struck them. �But it was a mighty lucky and narrow escape for us,� said Ned, as he and Tom sat in the pilot house the second day of the return trip. �That�s right,� agreed his chum. Once again they were above the earth and desiring to get rid as soon as possible of the presence of the spies a landing was made near New York City and the government authorities communicated with. Captain Warner and Lieutenant Marbury took charge of the prisoners with some secret servicemen and the foreigners were soon safely locked up. �And now where are you going to do, Tom?� asked Ned, when once more they had the airship to themselves. �I�m going back to Shopton, fix up the gas bag and give her another government trial,� was the answer. And in due time this was done. Tom added some improvements to the aircraft, making it better than ever, and when she was given the test required by the government, she was an unqualified success and the rights to the Mars were purchased for a large sum. In sailing and in the matter of guns and bombs, Tom�s craft answered every test. �So you see I was right after all, Dad� the young inventor said when informed that he had succeeded. �We can shoot off even bigger guns than I thought from the deck of the Mars.� �Yes, Tom� replied the aged inventor. �I admit I was wrong.� Tom�s aerial warship was even a bigger success than he had dared hope. Once the government meant fully understood how to run it, in which Tom played a prominent part in giving instructions, they put the Mars to a severe test.  Her bombs and projectiles blew the craft to pieces. �The Mars will be the naval terror of the seas in any future war�, predicted Captain Warner. The secret servicemen succeeded in unearthing all the details of the plot against Tom. His life at times had been in danger, but at the last minute the man detailed to harm him lost his nerve. It was Tom�s enemies who had set on fire the red shed, and who later tried to destroy the ship by putting a corrosive acid in one of the propellers. That plot, though, was not wholly successful. Then came the time when one of the spies hit on board and dropped the copper bar on the motor, short-circuiting it. But for the storage battery that scheme might have wrought fearful damage. The spy who had stowed himself away on the craft escaped at night by the connivance of one of Tom�s corrupt employees. The foreign spies were tried and found guilty, receiving merited punishment. Of course, the governments to which they belonged disclaimed any part in the seizure of Tom�s aerial worship. It came out at the trial that one of Tom�s most trusted employees had proved a traitor, and had the night before the test, allowed the foreign spies to secret themselves on board, to rush out at an opportune time to overpower our hero and his friends. But luck was with Tom at the end. �Well, what are you going to tackle next, Tom?� asked Ned, one day, about a month after these exciting experiences. �I don�t know,� was the slow answer. �I think a self-swinging hammock under an apple tree with a never-emptying picture of ice-cold lemonade would be about the thing. �Good, Tom, and if you invent that, I�ll share it with you. �Well, come on, let�s begin now,� laughed Tom. �I need a vacation anyhow.� But it is very much to be doubted if Tom Swift, even on a vacation, could refrain from trying to invent something, either in the line of airships, water, or land craft. And so, until he again comes to the front with something new, we will take leave of him.


I'd like to thank the Brand Foundation and its supporters for this award which will definitely go a long way into understanding the causes of epilepsy in some of our little patients. I'm a pediatric neurologist from the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne and the research our team does is driven by the patients we see in the clinic. Epilepsy is probably the most common neurological disorder we see in our patients and it's got many causes. In approximately 70% of our patients we can treat the epilepsy fairly effectively with anti-convulsant or anti-seizure medications but that leaves approximately 30% of children who have what we call drug resistant epilepsy. Epilepsy is primarily a pediatric disease. Most people who develop epilepsy develop it in childhood and it can come on at any age. In fact this morning before I flew up here I was in our neonatal unit seeing a three-week-old baby who's been having seizures probably since before he was born in fact. Of the patients who have drug resistant seizures a major cause are patients where a part of the brain has not developed normally in the pregnancy as was this little baby in the clinic and the research project that this Brain Foundation Award will support is to try and understand the causes of these lesions or malformations better. We have a very active epilepsy surgery program in Melbourne led by Simon Harvey in Virginia Maksner and these patients with these lesions often the only treatment that gives them hope of curing their epilepsy or reducing their seizures is to actually remove these developmental lesions from the brain and we approach all patients and parents of these children before they go to epilepsy surgery asking if we can actually save some of that tissue that's resected. Thus far nobody has said no we've been doing this for a couple of years saving tissue we haven't yet had the funds to do all the things we'd like to do with it. So in the theatre as the brain tissue is removed it goes straight into dry ice and then off to our lab and the aim of the research project is to really understand the causes of these lesions and it's emerging that these lesions have a genetic basis as a genetic error that's taken place during brain development in a population of the cells that form these lesions that cause the seizures and we're trying to understand by directly studying the brain tissue the nature of these mutations or gene changes whether those changes are just in the tissue or in the rest of the body or are a combination of a number of mutations. The funding from this award will help us do the genetic testing we'd like to do which is called whole exome sequencing some of you might have heard of the great advances in genetic testing that we can now rapidly and cost effectively screen all of our 22,000 genes something that about 15 years ago cost a hundred million dollars to do now costs a thousand dollars to do per patient. What will this mean for the patients and the children we look after? All the parents that we have who have children with with these severe forms of epilepsy want to know why it's happened? Is there a cause that that can be identified? Is this a genetic cause? Is this something that can recur in future pregnancies? Which is very important we hope we can answer that with this testing. We also hope that by understanding the genetic cause and exactly which part of the lesions hold the mutations that might hold promise for better forms of surgery to treat these severe forms of epilepsy more restricted forms of surgery but also if we understand the pathways of the genes that are affected there may open avenues to better medical treatments by targeting the therapy directly to the pathway affected. So once again on behalf of our team in Melbourne, Associate Professor Paul Lockhart, Simon Harvey and Virginia Maksner we're very honoured to receive this award and I would very much like to thank the Brain Foundation for their generous support. Thank you.