"Not if the code was translated correctly." He
frowned. "It's true they spoke merely in terms of days. But their time
references are usually very precise."
The waiting group fidgeted and prowled back and forth to ease their
tension. Feelings of suspense began changing into gloom after two more
hours had passed with no sign from the sky.
Disappointed but unable to wait any longer, the technical men went back
to the plant, one by one. Hank Sterling, too, and Arv Hanson finally had
to leave.
"Sorry, skipper," Hank muttered. "Ring us right away if it shows up."
"Sure, Hank."
As six o'clock went by, Chow tried to pep up his companions' drooping
spirits with a simple but tasty supper, warmed up on an electric hot
plate in the cabin.
"What do you think, skipper? Are we out of luck?" Bud asked as they ate.
"Our space friends haven't let us down yet," Tom replied. "I'm sure they
won't this time." Though he didn't say so aloud, Tom was worried that
their Brungarian enemies might have managed to divert and capture the
energy.
Mr. Swift seemed to read Tom's thoughts. "Let's hope no hitch has
occurred," he said quietly.
The sun went down. Twilight slowly deepened. The trees on the hillside
faded from view in the gathering darkness.
"_There it is!_" Bud yelled suddenly.
Electrified, the four sprang up in an instant. A speck of light was
sailing across the sky! But their faces fell as it drew closer.
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