Marlin straightened his weary back. "Dig the stuff out," he instructed. "We've struck the shell—I hope."
When the message was relayed to Eli that the shell had been reached, he came plunging through the tunnel.
"Do nothing till I come!" he shouted from the ledge above. With utter disregard for safety, he hurtled down the slope and drew up panting on the platform.
"We will cut through," he announced. "It needs a small man." He looked at Link appraisingly. "Can you handle a blowtorch?"
When the slinky one was safely at work under Marlin's direction, Eli impatiently herded the others away.
"You are doing no good here. Come—help with the things I must take."
The group eyed him with astonishment.
"Take where?" demanded DuChane. "You don't expect this contraption actually to fly?"
"What I think is my own affair!" Thornboldt's beard trembled with the vehemence of his indignation. "Who are you to question my intentions—you who cannot even comprehend my scientific principles!"
With raised eyebrows, DuChane glanced at Marlin. Then, accompanied by McGruder, he followed the scientist up the winding trail while Link continued his blowtorch operations. Whatever the inventor's intentions might be, Marlin felt an insatiable curiosity to view the interior of the incredible sphere.