"Yeah," replied the Venusian. "And I hid the key, so Connel can't get to him until he cools off."
"The major is coming around," said Tom.
As they watched, Connel stirred, coughed several times, and then opened his eyes. He stared in amazement at Tom, then turned to blink unbelievingly at Roger and Astro. "What in the star-blazing—?"
"It's us all right, sir!" Tom assured him.
"Yeah," chimed in Roger. "And you're not in heaven or—er—any place else either."
As Connel suddenly flushed with anger and sat up, Hemmingwell spoke quickly. "They saved your life, Major," he said.
"They did?" Connel's face clouded in confusion. "I don't understand. How did you three get aboard, anyway?"
"It's a long story, sir," said Tom. "Right now, maybe we'd better—"
Before the cadet could finish, there was a loud crashing and a series of jolting bumps as the ship lurched.
"What the blue blazes!" roared Connel, jumping to his feet in alarm.