“Oh, everything looks all right, thank goodness,” answered Taggert. “I took a peep into the petrol tanks, too, and turned the gyrostats over a few revolutions. Saw a couple of these runts hanging around, but I guess we’ll be able to pull off our party O. K. I tried to act as if there was something out of order for their benefit in case they were spies.”
“Good idea. That will offer a plausible reason for my going over this afternoon,” said Robert.
Having laid all their plans carefully, Robert and Taggert visited the Sphere late that afternoon, and together they tinkered and tested for the benefit of the two or three Martians who were ever about, as well as for their own benefit to see that everything was in working condition. Fortunately everything was in the same shape as when they had left it. About sunset Taggert left, taking word that Robert was engrossed in making some delicate repairs and would not return for dinner.
15
As the twilight rapidly faded Robert observed with uneasiness that three Martians remained within the building where the Sphere was placed. His suspicion that they were spies was strengthened when one of them engaged him in conversation and inquired whether he might accompany him within the Sphere to learn something of its intricacies. The note of insistence in the Martian’s voice convinced Robert that a refusal would be useless. He granted the request gracefully, biding his time until he felt sure the princess would be ready. Then it would be up to him to get rid of the spies in some manner. Just how he was to accomplish this he did not yet know.
The time agreed upon was immediately after the first sign of the rising moon, Phobus, above the horizon. Explaining the various features of the Sphere as vaguely as possible, Robert watched closely for the first glow of the planet’s little moon. The several windows in the western end of the building offered a fair view of the horizon in that direction.
As the fateful hour approached, Robert determined to get the Sphere outside the building in some manner, in order that he would be best prepared to make a dash to the palace at the proper moment.
Accordingly, he informed the Martian with him that he intended to take the Sphere outside for a trial flight before leaving it, asking him whether he desired to accompany him or not. He was hoping, of course, that the Martian would say “no.” He did not wish to seem desirous of getting rid of him for fear that his suspicion would be aroused.
As Robert had half expected, however, the Martian informed him politely that it was the emperor’s wish that the Sphere not be taken out of the building for the present. It was plain that Robert would have to resort to strategy to carry out his plans.
Accepting the Martian’s statement with apparent readiness and good nature, he remarked that he could just as well test the Sphere some other time, and prepared as if to leave it. He succeeded in maneuvering so as to follow the other out, though the Martian preceded him with evident reluctance.