Armstrong got up and walked restlessly about the room. "Arnold, I was only worried when I came here; now I'm terrified."
"What do you plan doing, Jim?"
"We've got to catch up with him fast. We can't take the chance it's a hoax." The square jaw hardened and the muscles tightened in the lean, weather-beaten face. "Will you help me, Arnold?"
"Of course. I can easily get a leave of absence for government business and...."
"You won't be able," Armstrong broke in, "because it isn't government business. Remember there are only two of us who believe this note. Whatever help we'll need I'll have to wrangle by pulling my rank." He pointed to the colonel's eagles on his shoulders.
"But I have six more lectures to deliver this semester, Jim; that will tie me up for three weeks."
"That can't be helped. When is your next class?"
"Tuesday. My lectures are Tuesdays and Thursdays."
"Good. That gives you lots of time to work with me between lectures. Beginning right now."
"But—"