He forced a smile. The boys gave him a brave smile in return, although they did not feel it any more than he had.
“May we go with you to the observatory, Captain?” Patch asked. “Maybe we can help.”
“Yes, if you like. I know how hard it will be to remain idle at a time like this. Let’s go.”
In the observatory, Garry and Patch watched the captain at his telescope and other instruments. He worked for a little while, then turned away from his work with a brooding, disturbed look on his face. He stroked his neat beard. Then he worked again for several more minutes.
He stopped once more, but then resumed his watching. He kept this up for some time, and, as the minutes passed, his face grew more and more serious.
Garry was afraid to ask, but he felt that he had to know. “Captain, is—is it bad?” he said softly.
Captain Eaton shook his head grimly, the look of despair in his eyes.
“You may as well know,” he replied. “I’ve been hoping I was wrong, but now I know I’m not. We’re moving into the gravity field of the moon. My guess is that we’re only a few hours away from collision.”
