DuQuesne ignored the hand and glanced coldly at the group of eager, friendly faces.
"Don't be sentimental," he remarked evenly as he turned away to his room. "Emotional scenes pain me. I gave my word to act as one of the party."
"Well, may I be kicked to death by little red spiders!" exclaimed Seaton, dumbfounded, as the other disappeared. "He ain't a man, he's a fish!"
"He's a machine. I always thought so, and now I know it," stated Margaret, and the others nodded agreement.
"Well, we'll sure pull his cork as soon as we get back!" snapped Seaton. "He asked for it, and we'll give him both barrels!"
"I know I acted the fool out there," Margaret apologized, flushing hotly and looking at Crane. "I don't know what made me act so stupid. I used to have a little nerve."
"You were a regular little brick, Peg," Seaton returned instantly. "Both you girls are all to the good--the right kind to have along in ticklish places."
Crane held out his steady hand and took Margaret's in a warm clasp.
"For a girl in your weakened condition you were wonderful. You have no reason to reproach yourself."
Tears filled the dark eyes, but were held back bravely as she held her head erect and returned the pressure of his hand.
"Just so you don't leave me behind next time," she returned lightly, and the last word concerning the incident had been said.
Seaton applied the power and soon they were approaching another planet, which was surrounded by a dense fog. Descending slowly, they found it to be a mass of boiling-hot steam and rank vapors, under enormous pressure.
The next planet they found to have a clear atmosphere, but the ground had a peculiar, barren look; and analysis of the gaseous envelope proved it to be composed almost entirely of chlorin. No life of an earthly type could be possible upon such a world, and a search for copper, even with the suits and helmets, would probably be fruitless if not impossible.
"Well," remarked Seaton as they were again in space, "we've got enough copper to visit several more worlds--several more solar systems, if necessary. But there's a nice, hopeful-looking planet right in front of us. It may be the one we're looking for."
Arrived in the belt of atmosphere, they tested it as before, and found it satisfactory.