Part 29 (1/2)

Rick thought that one over ”We wouldn't have heard the shi+p until it was very close because of the noise our bubbles make But we should have heard it about the tie I don't knoe didn't”

”And I don't knoe didn't see it,” Scotty added ”It's big enough to be spotted at horizon distance”

Jieway to drift over your position after a few turns of the scren by the reef passage You see, we didn't knoas going on, so we took no chances Then, e got into position, we got into the water without waiting to anchor We dropped anchor right after we got both of you out, but you probably didn't notice”

”I couldn't have cared less, at that point,” Rick said, and Scotty echoed the senti is that we came from the other side of the island It's safer for a shi+p that draws as much water as this one Tony spotted us as we approached the southern point”

Steve grinned ”Anyway, it's a good idea to move in on an objective as quickly, silently, and invisibly as possible”

”Have you captured the rest of the stations yet?” Rick asked

”No But we have teao and what to look for, thanks to the ht”

”Who are these people?” Scotty demanded

Steve scratched his chin ”Well,” he said finally, ”you ht put it this way: they're people who have no business knohat they're trying to find out”

Rick hid a grin He knew perfectly well they would get no ive information only to people who have a need to know it The Spindrifters had no reason for knowing the identity of the ene was certain, though, it was another nation that wanted the infor questions,” Rick said, ”but I've got one ht in the nick of ti very mysterious about it,” Jimmy Kelly answered ”We steamed up to the island and sent a boat ashore, with Professor Zircon Dr Briotti had seen us approach, and he

Zircon had assumed as much since we could see your boat anchored on the reef”

”I told theht,” Tony added

”Yes, and we sent a party of men of yours The house was empty Since their boat was tied up, we made a quick assumption that they were out on the reef with you We did a fast run out ”

”And got the fright of our lives,” Steve finished ”We knew there were three of the enemy and two of you down below, and we could see only three sets of bubbles We thought you were done for”

”It was reot ready to dive,” Zircon said ”I've never seen people move so fast Steve, too

Then, just as they were about to go over the side, o more bubble trails and knew at least that you were still alive But in a ed”

”We hit the water,” Jimmy Kelly said, ”and were about to dive when one of the enemy skyrocketed up He was blue in the face and scared witless

We hauled hi caht down to get you, but you ood shape, either, for a few minutes”

”How about the men? Where are they?” Scotty asked

”Down below Locked up, with an aruard at the door”

Steve Ah of satisfaction