Part 14 (1/2)

”He would if he believed the island was in danger,” Scotty agreed. ”But suppose he doesn't? I don't think Connel has the true picture. His time estimate was much longer than yours, and he hasn't been in on many of the discussions.”

The three scientists looked at each other. ”You know,” Riddle said, ”Scotty is right. Connel has shown little interest in the magma flux. He may not have a true understanding of the situation at all!”

”It's possible.” Hartson Brant nodded. ”Quite possible. After all, we borrowed him only to have another experienced man to handle the shots.

His training certainly doesn't qualify him to understand the physics involved. He has concentrated on locating oil deposits, using standard data. This kind of thing is new to him.”

”We didn't get him to handle data a.n.a.lysis,” Weiss remarked. ”There are enough of us who can do that.”

Rick picked up his argument again. ”If Connel doesn't believe there are only a couple of weeks, he would give the lieutenant governor his views, and he'd be believed, just because Guevara is so greedy he would believe anything that will make him rich. Of course I don't know for sure that Guevara is like that, but he certainly brushed us off, didn't he? And he didn't seem surprised when you told him about the danger.”

”The thing that bothers me,” Scotty stated, ”is why Connel and Guevara haven't started to mine the diamonds.”

”It takes organization,” Rick pointed out. ”Also, it couldn't be done while the governor was around, could it? He'd be sure to get wind of it.

Connel and Guevara have to keep this quiet, or there will be a rush that will make the Klondike look like a picnic.”

Scotty nodded. ”That must be why they put a guard up there, too.

Probably just one trusted man, who has to make the rounds alone. We were lucky he was on his rounds when we got there, or we'd never have had a chance for a close look.”

”Well,” Julius Weiss demanded, ”what do we do now?”

A sudden earth tremor made the group pause. It lasted only a few seconds.

”Whatever we do, we'd better do it fast,” Hartson Brant stated.

”Find the governor,” Rick said. ”That's the first thing. We can't move unless we have official backing, and we certainly won't get it from Guevara!”

Esteben Balgos walked in, closely followed by Brad Connel. ”We placed the instruments without difficulty,” Balgos began--and Connel's eye caught sight of the kimberlite samples on the table. The geologist realized instantly that his secret was known, and he knew, too, the conclusions that would be drawn. Among other things, he was guilty of the attempted murder of Ruiz.

Connel bolted for the door.

The geologist was fast, but Scotty was faster. The dark-haired boy charged across the room, then dove headlong. His extended arms caught the fleeting geologist around the thighs, then Scotty's shoulder smashed into him. Connel went down like a tackled ball carrier. Before he could recover, Scotty had s.h.i.+fted his grip and the geologist was helpless in a punis.h.i.+ng hold.

The scientists and Rick arrived a split second later.

”Let him up,” Riddle ordered. ”But keep a grip on him.”

Scotty did so, and the geologist glared at the group with angry eyes. He didn't try to bluff; he knew it was useless.

Rick hurried to find the hotel manager, who directed them to a tool closet on the outside of the hotel near the parking lot. It had no windows, a single, small ventilating duct, and only one door. Connel was pushed inside, and the door locked. Hartson Brant pocketed the key.

”He'll have to stay there until we find the governor and arrange for trustworthy policemen,” the scientist said. ”I'm certain those who have been guarding the dynamite are all right, but we'd better have the governor's word for it.”

Rick agreed with the precaution.

While Esteben Balgos was being briefed on the day's happenings, Zircon and Williams arrived and had to be briefed, too. Twice, small earth temblors interrupted the conference.

”Something is happening below us,” Balgos said. ”I wish we knew exactly what!”