"That's the hardest floor I've ever slept on," said Brown. The others muttered in response.
To Tom, the scene was strange and unreal. The yellow light of the lamp and the faint dawn which was stealing in through the windows made the men seem ghost-like as they moved about the room, dressing. Huge shadows loomed on the walls, swaying and disappearing.
"Shall we go together, Brown!" asked Knight.
"You'd better not," said Tom. "Engineers are too valuable. If you go together you might both be stopped before you could reach the engine."
"The boy's right," replied Brown. "You and I'll go together, eh, Tom?"
"Yep."
"Are you ready?"
"All ready. Come on."
Tom and Brown left the room, found the way along the corridor to the stairs. "Now for it!" exclaimed Tom, clutching the other's arm.
"You bet!"