Read Online Get Smart 7 - Max Smart - The Spy Who Went Out to the Cold by William Johnston - Free Book Online

Blows!’ ” He started to wander away.
    Max grabbed him and led him back. “Try not to use that word ‘line,’ ” he said.
    Von BOOM started to wander away again.
    Once more, Max retrieved him. “And I won’t use it, either,” he said. “Now, look, Professor—think what you’re doing. You studied for years to become a scientist. You worked hard to reach the top in your profession. All that work and study must have meant something to you. Why did you do it?”
    “Because nobody ever offered to make me a Star before,” von BOOM replied.
    “Let me talk to him,” Abdul said.
    “I would appreciate that,” Max replied gratefully.
    Abdul addressed von BOOM. “Don’t listen to this bum,” he said, indicating Max. “You don’t have to. You’re a Star. Say the word, and I’ll have him tossed off the set.”
    “Thanks just oodles,” Max said grimly. “I’ll remember this when you come around to collect your guide fee.”
    “Who needs it?” Abdul shrugged. “As of today, I’m out of the rent-a-guide business. I’m the agent to a Star.”
    Max turned to von BOOM. “He is your agent?” he said incredulously.
    “I gave him the job when we were lost out there on the desert,” the Professor replied. “As long as I was carrying him around on my back, anyway, I figured he might as well be my agent.”
    “Don’t bother my Star with any more questions,” Abdul said to Max and 99. “He has to rehearse his line.”
    Von BOOM wandered off.
    This time, Max let von BOOM’s agent chase after him.
    “Max, what are we going to do?” 99 fretted.
    “We have no choice, 99,” Max replied. “I hate to be the one to destroy a career, but— Duty first. We have to get von BOOM back on the track. I’m going to snitch. I’m going to tell von Sydesheau that von BOOM is really a scientist.”
    “Max, I’m not sure that will work. He found him out in the middle of the desert. Will he believe that he’s a scientist?”
    “He found us out in the middle of the desert, too, 99, and he believed that we’re secret agents.”
    “You’re right, Max.”
    Max and 99 found von Sydesheau and informed him that, in fact, von BOOM was a scientist. Von Sydesheau threw back his head and roared with laughter.
    “You don’t believe it?” Max said.
    “As much as I believed that ridiculous story about you two being secret agents,” von Sydesheau replied. He winked at Max. “Spying on the sand, eh?”
    Max and 99 retreated.
    That night, when the camp was silent, Max and 99, by prearrangement, slipped out of their separate tents and met near the stern of the ship.
    “So far, so good, 99,” Max whispered. “Everybody’s asleep, and, luckily, von Sydesheau didn’t think to post any guards.”
    “It probably didn’t occur to him that we would try to kidnap his Star, Max.”
    “I don’t know why not. That’s the way it would happen in a movie.” He motioned, then set out through the darkness, with 99 following close behind. “Von BOOM’s tent is just a short distance from here.”
    “How will we know it, Max? In the dark, all these tents look alike.”
    “There’ll be no mistaking it, 99. It—” he pointed. “There, shining in the moonlight . . . see?”
    “Oh . . . yes. Isn’t that interesting. I don’t think I’ve ever seen that before . . . a star on the flap.”
    “All right, 99, from this moment on, let’s maintain absolute silence. If we create a commotion and rouse the camp, we may never get another chance to get von BOOM out of here.”
    “Suppose he cries out, Max?”
    “I’m going to gag him.”
    “Please be gentle, Max. Remember, down deep, he’s on our side—he’s one of the Good Guys.”
    “99, I don’t like doing this any more than you do. But our space program depends on it.”
    “Max . . . couldn’t we talk to him about it again? It wouldn’t hurt to try, would it?”
    “Absolutely pointless, 99. We wouldn’t even know what he answered.”
    “Why, Max?”
    “Because he’ll