“When I went out the first time,” went on Ned, now recalling the details of his horrifying flight through the air, “I was holdin’ on to the arm of the crane. But it was smooth and I couldn’t stick. I had to slide down. When I got to the bottom my leg was inside.”
“It’s all that saved you,” repeated Alan.
“It’s the closest call I ever had,” went on Ned. “I hope I didn’t delay things—much. What time is it?” he asked suddenly as he lifted himself into a sitting posture. Alan looked at his watch and then called to Roy, through the tube, for chronometer time.
“Two, thirty-three, thirty-five,” came the instant response.
“We passed the Battery at two, twenty-one, seventeen,” said Ned, calculating. “We’ve been on our way twelve minutes and eight seconds. Are we on the course, Alan?”
“What’s the course, Roy?” called Alan again.
“Northeast by East one-half East,” came the sharp answer.
“Good,” exclaimed Ned. “And what are we doin’ in the way o’ speed?”
“To tell the truth,” laughed Alan, “we’ve been just a trifle busy down here and Roy has been alone. I haven’t made an observation since we left. But we’ll know in a few minutes. Norwalk is only forty miles out.”
Without immediate reply Ned began to get on his feet. He did so at last and by leaning on Alan was able to stand. Suddenly he caught his chum’s shoulders.