the embarkation had been
covered to the minutest detail. A plan had been formulated in the early
morning hours for the outwitting of Mascola at El Diablo, a plan to
which Dickie Lang had given her hearty approbation before it was sent to
Howard over the radio.

Gregory turned for a last word with McCoy before giving the order which
would send the _Richard_ to sea.

"We'll keep in close touch, Jack," he said. "We'll expect you to do the
same. This is Friday. If we send in a lot of fish to-morrow it will mean
a straight run over Sunday. Keep a man at the key day and night. And
don't forget that we are low on cash. If you get any orders that look at
all good, grab them until we can get 'out of the woods.' We're going up
against a mighty stiff proposition. It's make or break, and the sooner
we get down to cases with Mascola the better it will be."

He put out his hand and McCoy's fingers tightened over his. Then McCoy
watched him go down the gangway and take his place beside Dickie Lang in
the _Richard_.

* * * * *

"You don't mean to tell me that's Diablo?"

Hawkins wiped his dripping face and stared at the misty blot on the
purpling horizon.

Gregory and Dickie Lang looked up from their scrutiny of the small clock
on the _Richard's_ dash and smiled:

"Two hours and ten minutes to here," Gregory announced. "We can make it
easy in two hours and a half, and we've been bucking a head wind and sea
all the way over. If the _Fuor d'Italia_ can do this well, Mascola will
certainly have to show me."

Bronson smiled but made no comment.

As the island loomed across their track, Dickie directed a change of
course.

"Cut in close to that big cliff on the northeast corner and we'll work
our way along close in to the shore."

Bronson complied. Then the girl turned to Gregory.

"Get my idea?" she asked.

"You want to see if Mascola has fallen for our scheme," Gregory replied.

"Exactly. We'll cruise by his fleet and lay to by the _Pelican_. Then
we'll find out if he's spotted the _Curlew_ yet. If he hasn't, the boys
can get in in the dark and 'chum' the fish. By that time we won't care
what Mascola does."

The passing of a few minutes brought them in sight of the alien fleet
grouped closely together off Black Point.

"They've shifted," announced the girl. "Tom's message said they were off
the Hell-Hole."

Gregory said nothing but as they drew nearer he exclaimed: "Look!
They've go