They were heading in the general direction of Vega when Barger staggered into the control room, swung the Lodestar back toward Mars. Fay bent over Haller, pressed a damp cloth to his face.
"O ... okay!" he muttered. "Are we clear?"
"Away clean as a whistle," the quartermaster grinned, caressing blistered hands. "And here's hoping I never see the Isle o' Lost Spaceships again!"
Haller lurched to his feet, one arm about the girl's shoulders.
"Aren't you coming along, then?" he laughed. "I haven't forgotten that crack you made about an aluminum, non-magnetic spaceship, and as soon as we reach Mars I'm going to organize a company, have one built! We'll take a well-armed expedition and have a go at that treasure the sub-men had in their caves. After all, a man needs money when" ... he glanced at the girl beside him ... "when he's going to get married! I'll need you on an expedition like that, Barger. Think of the fortune in that cave! Millions and millions! How about it?"
The old quartermaster shifted his quid to the other cheek, grinned.
"You could talk the devil into installing air-conditioning," he chuckled. "I'll go!"