“That’s right, Clay,” Rob answered. “I’m afraid she was a little suspicious about our mission. Did she try to get any information out of you?”
Rob knew he had touched off a spark as Clay’s handsome face colored. “Sis isn’t one to go prying into official business, lieutenant! That’s why she holds such a confidential job. Besides, I know enough about regulations to know what I can say and what I can’t!”
“Don’t get out of line, Clay,” Rob reminded him. “I wasn’t implying that either one of you were violating rules.”
“Sis is a swell guy, lieutenant. She’s one in a million.”
“I’ve met her, Clay. I know she is.”
Rob felt Clay’s eyes appraising him from head to foot.
“You must’ve been quite a star yourself when you were in cadet school, lieutenant,” he said. “I mean, since you’ve been such a hero on different space expeditions.”
“As a matter of fact, I couldn’t seem to do anything extra well, Clay,” Rob admitted.
Rob thought Clay looked somewhat pleased to hear this. He wondered then if Clay had not set him up as his own personal rival who must be overcome as he had overcome all others he had vied with.
Rob noticed Mort Haines, the stocky mechanic, watching them both closely from the other side of the compartment. Was that an expression of contempt he was directing at the strapping young “sputter”? He had observed such an expression once before when Clay had spoken of his accomplishments.