“Well, fellows, the answer has come,” Captain Eaton said, and his voice was laden with dejection. “I radioed that you two had been picked up, and they’ve already replied.”
Garry hated to ask, “Wh—what did they say?”
“Just as I suspected. We must return to the Von Braun Space Station.”
“I was hoping we had a few more days at least,” Patch groaned.
“I think that the sooner we straighten this matter out, the better it will be for everyone,” Captain Eaton replied. “And another thing, you boys are still A.W.O.L. from the orphanage, you know. However, it will take a couple of days for us to work out a navigation plan and get a clearance approach to the station. Sorry, fellows. I wish you could have stayed on with us indefinitely, but....”
As the captain’s voice trailed off, Garry had a flicker of hope. The captain was looking at them as if debating something in his mind. Would he bring up the subject of adoption?
But, saying nothing further, the captain turned and began walking toward the outer door of the gym.
Then he seemed to think of something else and came back. The boys held their breath hopefully. Would he mention adoption now?
“There’s something else they told me that I thought you’d want to know,” the captain said. “I told them the story of your being stowaways accidentally, just as you told me. They checked back and found that the elevator attached to the Orion was defective, as you said, and they are convinced of the truth of your story. As a result, Officer Mulroy has been cleared of any negligence.”
“I’m glad to know that, Sir,” Garry said.