dable letter. A news story would be way beyond
me."

Rick picked up the phone again. "I'll see if Gus is using his car."

Gus, owner, chief mechanic, and general factotum of the Whiteside
Airport, had loaned his car to Rick on several occasions. His hope, he
explained every time, was that Rick would drive it to pieces so he
could collect the insurance and get a better one.

In a moment Gus answered. "It's Gus."

"Rick here, Gus. That ancient clunk of yours still running?"

Gus's voice assumed wounded dignity. "Are you speaking of my airplane
or my automobile?"

"Your limousine. Using it tonight?"

"Nope. Don't drive it any more than I have to. When do you want it?"

"About eight, if that's all right."

"Okay. I'll drop it off at the dock. Don't bother bringing it back.
Just let me know where it is so I can tell the insurance company."

"I'm a safe driver, Gus," Rick said with a grin.

"If I believed that I wouldn't lend you the car. Leave it in my back
yard when you get through, huh?"

"Thanks a million, Gus. I'll take good care of it."

"Don't. You'll spoil it."

Rick rang off. "What time is it?"

"About half past three," Scotty said. "Why?"

"Let's take the Cub up for a little spin."

Scotty chuckled. "You're never as happy as when you're trying to
unravel a mystery. Any mystery."

"You don't like it," Rick scoffed. "You like a peaceful, quiet life. A
book and a hammock. That's for you. Why don't you go get one of your
Oat Operas to read and leave the mystery to me?"

"Got to keep you out of trouble," Scotty said amiably. "It isn't
because I'm interested."

They walked from the house into the orchard that separated the low,
gray stone laboratory buildings from the house and headed toward the
air strip. The strip was grass-covered and just big enough for a small
plane like Rick's. It ran along the seaward side of the island, with
the orchard on one side and the sea cliff on the other.

"Just thought," Scotty said suddenly. "We'd better have some
binoculars if we're going out to take a look at the fleet."

"I'll warm up while you get them," Rick agreed. He started the engine
and warmed the plane until Scotty arrived with a pair of ten-power
binoculars.

Scotty untied the parking ropes and pulled out the wheel chocks, then
got into his seat. "Let's go," he said.

Rick nodded and advanced the throttle. In a moment the Cub lifted
easily from the grass.

Rick settled down to the business of