Part 21 (2/2)

Far inland, out of sight of the coast, he swung south, picked up Salt Creek and followed it to Slers' Reef He turned down the coast past the town, buzzed Cap'n Mike's shack, and landed

Captain Michael Aloysius Kevin O'Shannon was at the pier when he docked Rick cut the engine and climbed out on the pontoon He heaved a line to the old seaman, who hauled him to the pier

Cap'n Mike was nearly seventy years old, but as Rick well knew, he had the vigor and keen mind of a man twenty years his junior Under the battered , weather-beaten face

”About tireeted hioin' to call today Where's Scotty?”

Rick felt a twinge of conscience He had intended to pay a visit to his friend so et in the way It had been many weeks since his last call

”It isn't exactly a social call,” he said apologetically ”We need your help, Cap'n Mike”

The old man looked at him quizzically ”What for? Fishi+n' or detectin'?”

”Detectin',” Rick answered

”Accepted! Now I see why you were lookin' for strangers When and where do I start?”

”Right now, at Spindrift Can you co I'll need?”

”We'll want you to do a little fishi+ng, too”

Cap'n Mike nodded and hurried up the pier to his shack In a few minutes he was back, rod case and tackle box in hand He cast off and clio, boy! Time's awastin' Who we after this tiine and was air-borne before he answered Then, alas By the time he was in the air en route to Spindrift, Cap'n Mike was squir so impatiently that the whole plane seeet on with it,” he said irritably

Rick sht We don't knoe're after”

Cap'n Mike grunted

”Seriously, we don't Some folks in a houseboat are anchored in North Cove We want to find out why”

Cap'n Mike nodded sagely ”For no reason They just ate All right, go ask 'e, and work your way to the houseboat Ask for a drink of water or so”

[Illustration: _Cap'n Mike quickly hauled the Sky Wagon to the pier_]

”Got it all worked out, have ye?” The old captain snorted ”Where's the fun in that? Like to do things ht, do it anyway you like We just want the inforhed ”Can't tell you, Cap'n”

”Must be I got untrustworthy since I saw you last”