Suddenly Tarnuff exclaimed:
"Help, did you say, Jordan? Here comes the final touch, you mean—our finish! That's a patroller!"
"Are you sure of that, Tarnuff?"
"Sure of it? Man, I've been dodging the Patrol so much out here that I can tell 'em a million miles off!"
"So—I win after all, Tarnuff! That statement you signed absolves me. Let 'em come!" Ron waved his arms wildly in the direction of the approaching ship. "Come on you birds, step on it!"
Tarnuff reached suddenly in his pocket and brought out the folded paper.
"Yes, it does clear you, doesn't it? You and your brother both! Thanks for reminding me, Jordan, in the excitement I almost forgot about that...."
And then Tarnuff's voice became shrill with maniac glee:
"But it won't do either of you any good! By the time that Patrol ship gets here there won't be any paper!"
He whirled suddenly and leaped toward the stern rocket tubes only a few yards away.