"Yes," Andrews said wearily. "This is the third we've lost. I don't--"
"That's queer," said Randall suddenly. He pointed to the clock on the
mantel above the imitation fireplace. "Over two hours slow," he mused,
glancing at his wrist watch. "It's a wonder you fellows wouldn't supply
the Vator with a good timepiece."
Andrews' jaw sagged. "Why, that's the same thing that happened the
other two times!" he said in amazement. "The first time it was almost
six hours fast. The second time, over eight hours slow. And now, two
hours slow!"
"Well?" prompted Randall.
"There's something queer about that. The last time I radioed the
Antipodes and made sure the clock was correct just before the Vator
left!"
Randall was silent for a moment. "Well," he said at last. "There's only
one way to track this thing down. And that's to get the information
first hand. Andrews, you can book my passage on your next trip."
The Earth-Tube supervisor gasped. "You aren't going in the face of
what's happened!"
"Someone has to," Randall returned. "I'll go as your steward."