The Space Pioneers, page 99 by Carey Rockwell
<< Return to Title Details & Download100
"do you remember our conversation last night on the subject of circular motion of captive planets around a sun star?"
"Yes, sir," said Roger.
"And do you recall your childish manner of explaining it?" sneered Sykes.
"Now just a minute, sir," said Roger, "I might be wrong--but--"
"Quiet!" The professor was screaming now. He turned around and inserted a study spool in a soundscriber. Turning it on he waited, glaring at Roger. The blond-haired cadet's voice came over the machine's loud-speaker clearly and precisely.
" ... the idea of motion of one satellite around a mother planet, or planet around a sun star, can best be explained by the use of a rock tied to the end of a rope. If you swing the rope around your head, the rock will maintain a steady position, following a measured orbit. The planets, and their captive satellites, work on the same principle, with the gravity of the mother planet substituted for the rope, and the satellite for the rock...."
Sykes stopped the machine, turned, and glared at Roger. "Do you deny that that is your voice?"
Roger shook his head. "It's my voice all right but--"
"And do you deny that last night, before we left, it was decided that my explanation would be used?"
Roger's face reddened. "No, sir," he said tightly.
"Then how do you explain that your voice with your explanation is now on the master spool?" screamed Sykes.
"I--I--can't explain it, sir," said Roger, fighting to control his temper.
"I can!" snapped Sykes. "You sneaked back in here last night and substituted your original recording--the one I threw out!"
"But he couldn't have done that, Professor," interjected Tom. "He was asleep all night!"
"Were you awake all night, Corbett?" asked Sykes coldly.
"No, sir," replied Tom.
"Then you couldn't possibly know if he was sleeping or down here recording, could you?"
"No, sir," said Tom quietly.
"Cadet Manning, this is the most d