"Yeah, I know," muttered Astro. "Want me to jump him?"
"No," Tom growled. "Miles has been trailing us through the tunnel by twenty to thirty feet each trip. When we pass that spot where the light is, you drop your box. He'll be watching you then and that will give me a chance to grab that booby trap you took apart, remember?"
"Yeah!"
"O.K. Now remember, when I give you the word, you drop your box on the right-hand side of the tunnel."
"Hurry up down there!" yelled Miles from the balcony. "We haven't got all night."
"Keep your shirt on, buster," growled Astro. "We're tired."
The two cadets balanced the heavy lead boxes on their shoulders, and, with Tom leading the way, climbed up the stairs past Miles and started up the tunnel in front of the black-suited spaceman.
They walked slowly, side by side, and as before, Miles stayed a good twenty paces behind them. As they neared the light where they knew the explosive charge would be, Tom began slowing his pace.
"Come on, get going, Corbett!" Miles yelled.
"He's tired," said Astro. "Leave him alone."