“Will we be in time? Will we be in time? In time—in time?”
[CHAPTER XXIX]
THE OPERATION
Part of the strain that had held all of them under its spell seemed to be wearing off. They were breathing more easily now.
True, the most critical part of what had been undertaken was still before them—the operation. Performed, as it must be, under the most unfavorable circumstances, from a surgical standpoint, there was every chance against Professor Snodgrass, and very few in his favor.
“But we’re this far on the return trip,” said Bob, with a sigh of relief, as they chugged forward in the motor boat. “And that’s a whole lot.”
“Indeed it is,” agreed Miss Payson with a smile. And Bob’s remark seemed to sum up the whole situation. They were well on the way of the return trip.
That, in itself, was a satisfaction, for there was so much that might have happened—in fact, so much that still might happen. But, on the whole, travel by the river seemed more certain than by road. Though the breaking down of the motor on the initial trip did not seem to argue much in that line.
But the night was over. They had the whole day before them, and, with good luck, they would reach the camp in the woods at night.