“Hit!” exclaimed the major, glancing up apprehensively at the bag.
“I heard it, sir. Are we losing altitude?”
“Not much, but we shall be soon. Yes, she’s settling a little now. Look up.”
Grace did so and observed a fold in the bag that had not been there before, showing that some gas had escaped.
“How long will it take to let us down?”
“About twenty minutes. We shall go down faster after a little. Look over your harness and make certain that the lines are not fouled,” he directed, taking his own advice. “Just in case of emergency,” he nodded.
“They seem to be all right, sir,” Grace informed him. “You do not think we shall have to use them, do you?”
“Not at this rate of descent.”
Ping! Pock!