Danny Dunn and the Heat Ray

"Danny Dunn is famous for fighting fire with fire. While taking a plane ride over Midston with his pilot friend, Charles Mathews, Danny sights Glenway Pippit, a millionaire rocket manufacturer whose car is marooned in a pasture. After the rescue, Danny learns to his dismay that it is professor Bullfinch's laser (a new invention which sends a beam of concentrated light) that has brought Mr. Pippit to Midston" --Inside front dust jacket.