"What's that?" asked Connel.
"It's about the cadets," said Barret. "I talked to them just before they blasted off in the scout. They had a lot to say about your taking Corbett with you on the trip to Mars. They seemed disgruntled and dissatisfied."
Steve Strong whirled on the young engineer. "What did they say?" he demanded.
"Simply that they didn't feel that they were getting a fair deal with Tom being taken off guard duty, since he was actually responsible for them having it in the first place.
"They said that!" exclaimed Strong. "But how could that—" He suddenly closed his mouth and turned away, frowning.
"But how could what, Steve?" asked Walters.
"Nothing, sir," said Strong. "You have already reprimanded me too often as it is for speaking up in their behalf."
Walters lifted his eyebrows. "It appears to me that you're getting a little touchy!" he barked. "Watch yourself, Steve. Don't let your feelings for those boys get out of hand."
"Blast it!" exclaimed Professor Hemmingwell. "While you continue talking about those stupid cadets, you're just wasting my time. There's plenty of work to do and precious little time to do it in." He turned to Barret. "Come on, Dave, let's get this mess cleared away."
"Yes, sir," said Dave Barret.