"That's where you're wrong, Doctor. There _is_ a need for haste. Every day is precious; perhaps every hour, every minute. We're not doing this merely to dispel your doubts. We're doing it because it has to be done, and as swiftly as humanly possible. The sooner mankind realizes its peril, the sooner we can take measures to do something. How long will it take you, Flick?" "At least three hours. Maybe four." "All right. Get going. Meanwhile, if you'll permit me, Dr. Bryant, I'd like to duck into my office. There must be a lot of accumulated correspondence to run through. Miss Powell, if you'll be kind enough to come with me--?" "Yes, Dr. Lane." Anjers said, "Office, yes. I have not been near my own desk all morning. Perhaps I, too, should spend a little time with my papers. So, gentlemen--" But Dr. Bryant caught his arm. "Oh, no you don't, my friend! Lane and Muldoon need a few hours privacy, but I am much too excited to let _everyone_ get away from me. Let's go to my rooms. I must discuss this matter with someone." "That's it, then," nodded Gary. "We'll meet in the projection room at--let's see--five p.m. That's O.Q. with everyone? So long, then. Flick, careful with those shots!" Muldoon glared at him aggrievedly. "You're telling me?" he retorted. "Listen, pal--to me they're fresh laid eggs, and I'm the mama hen." Thus the meeting disbanded. * * * * * At four-thirty, Gary Lane spoke a last, "yours truly" into his stenoreel, snapped the switch which sent the machine into operation as a transcriber, rose and yawned vigorously. "That," he said, "is that! Thank goodness. I don't know how I would have ever finished up without your help, Miss Powell." Nora Powell said, "I'm glad I was of some assistance, Dr. Lane." "_Some assistance?_" grinned Gary. "You were the whole works. I wouldn't have known how to answer half those letters if you hadn't been here to advise me. Say, by the way--" He glanced at her quizzically--"Am I forgiven yet? I mean about that business down at the rocketdrome?" Nora Powell met his gaze briefly, flushed and turned away. "I--I had forgotten all about it, Doctor," she said. "Now, that," approved Gary, "is something to really be thankful for. Well, it's almost time for our appointment. Let's go down and see how Flick's making out." Thus it was that Gary Lane and the girl were a full half hour earlier in reaching the projection room than had been agreed. On such small hinges is the gateway of Fortune hung. For had they been ten minutes, perhaps a single moment later, the great adventure which was to befall them might have ended ere it began. Laughing Flick Muldoon might never have laughed again, and the precious evidence which he and Gary had brought back from Luna might never have been viewed by understanding eyes.