ng to make contact with a
supply ship? We know when he's going to Creek House, because Cap'n
Mike can see him. But Brad has already made contact when that
happens."

"Let's take one thing at a time." The editor drew pencil and paper
from his pocket. "What would you need to fly at night?"

Rick ticked them off on his fingers. "Wing landing lights, navigation
lights, cockpit instrument light. And if we were supposed to fly in
anything but clear weather, we'd need a bank and turn indicator and an
artificial horizon. But even then I'd be doubtful. I've never had
instrument training. I wouldn't dare take the Cub out unless it was a
clear, moonlit night, so I'd have a good horizon."

Scotty approved. "That makes sense. And if we stuck to clear
moonlight, the only things we'd need would be landing lights and
navigation lights."

Duke made notes. "All right. I don't think you need to worry much
about having moonlight, because the weather is pretty consistent at
this time of year. Barring a ground haze or a local thunderstorm,
you'll have clear weather, and the moon will be full by the early part
of next week. Now suppose we get Gus to install landing lights and
navigation lights on a rental basis? The paper would pay for that in
exchange for an exclusive story."

"All we'd need would be good weather," Rick said. He had never flown
the Cub at night. In fact, he had flown only once at night, and then
it was in a much better plane and with an experienced instructor. But
with good moonlight and a clear sky, it shouldn't be much different
from day flying.

Duke continued. "Now the next point. How can we know when the
_Albatross_ is going to make contact?"

"I think we can find out if Cap'n Mike will help," Scotty answered.
"We know it takes time to transfer the smuggled goods, whatever they
are. That means Brad Marbek has to leave port earlier in the morning
than usual, unless he wants to call attention to what he's doing. As I
see it, he probably leaves pretty early, makes contact with his
supply ship and gets his load, then he hurries to the fishing grounds
and gets his nets over the side and is fishing when daylight comes and
the others see him. If Cap'n Mike kept watch, he would let us know
when Brad left real early."

"That's good figuring," Rick complimented his pal. "The _Albatross_
would have to leave between half past two and three in the morning.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have time to load before daybreak."

"It