George sat down again. Then he got up and crossed to Lylda, shaking her
hand also, and whispering to her. But in another instant he was pacing
the room, smoking violently, and frowning.
Rogers was saying to the others, "I will take one more. I realize it is
a momentous question. Your lives may be at stake."
The Big Business Man was deep in reverie. "I wonder," he murmured. "I
wonder if I _do_ want to go."
"Come on," urged George, stopping suddenly before him. "Take a chance."
He did not wait for an answer, but went back to his pacing.
The Banker said, half apologetically. "You don't really need me, do you,
Rogers?"
"Of course not," Rogers said heartily. "Use your own judgement. But I
knew you'd be offended if I didn't give you the opportunity."
The Banker nodded. "Yes, but you don't need me. I'm an old
man--seventy-three, though I hope you'd never guess it. I think I'd
better stay where I'm used to things."
"Of course," agreed Rogers.
"But if you need money," the Banker added hopefully, "and you will,
naturally--everybody needs money--you'll call on me, won't you? I'm
going to see this thing through."
"I don't believe I'll go," the Business Man declared. He met the
Doctor's glance, and the Doctor seemed relieved. "You don't really need
us, Rogers. I think Frank would prefer to stay also."
The Doctor nodded emphatic agreement.
"Quite so," said Rogers. "I can understand perfectly how you feel."
George stopped his pacing. "Then it's all settled, Mr. Rogers. You and I
go; the others stay on guard here. Now listen, everybody, I've got some
good ideas..."
* * * * *
Two days before Christmas, another plane lay glistening on the roof of
the Scientific Club, walled in from curious eyes by the board enclosure.
Sleek, self-satisfied, its every line denoting latent power, it lay
motionless, awaiting those human masters who soon were to launch it into
another time world.
Occasionally during the afternoon George visited it, anxiously
verifying again and again that all was in readiness.
Evening came. The others arrived, singly and in couples. For two hours a
bustle of final preparations went on--things forgotten, last minute
plans put into execution. But by nine o'clock the moment of departure
was finally at hand.
The Banker was in a fluster of excitement. He had appointed himself the
leader of those who were to be left behind, and he felt the
responsibility keenly.
"Tell me exactly what we've got to do," he insisted. "I don't want
anything to go wrong."