They got troubles," Craig said. "They've run into a problem that is
driving them nuts."

"But I could help them solve their problem!" Michaelson said, irritation
in his voice.

"Aw, beat it--Huh? What did you say?" Craig demanded.

"I can tell them what happened, if they will only listen. I was trying
to warn them, before it happened, but I was unable to reach the bridge
in time."

"You--_you know what happened_?" Craig choked.

"Certainly!" Michaelson said emphatically.

Craig stared at the little man. Michaelson did not look like he had much
on the ball but he spoke excellent English, and even if he was a queer
duck, he seemed to be intelligent. Craig remembered that Michaelson had
been trying to reach the bridge just before the bombers struck, also
that the man had been trying to get in touch with the captain just
before the warning sounded that the bombers were approaching. Craig
turned to the officers.

"Captain Higgins," he said.

"Don't bother me now, Craig," the captain snapped.

"There's a man here who wants to talk to you," Craig said.

"I have no time--" For the first time, the captain saw Michaelson. "Who
the devil are you?" he snapped. "What are you doing on my bridge?"

"He's the man who wants to talk to you," Craig explained. "His name is
Michaelson."

Michaelson smiled shyly. "You may have heard of me," he said.

"Are you Michaelson the scientist, the man who is called the second
Einstein?" Higgins demanded.

Michaelson blushed. "I am a scientist," he said. "As for being a second
Einstein, no. There is only one Einstein. There can be only one. But it
may be that I can help you with your problem."

Craig saw the attitude of the officers change. They had heard of
Michaelson. It was a great name. Until then they had not known that he
was on their bridge. They became respectful.

"If you can help us, shoot," Higgins said bluntly.

"I will try," the scientist said. He pursed his lips and looked
thoughtful. "If you are familiar with geology you unquestionably know
something about 'faults'. 'Faults' are unstable areas on the surface of
the earth, places where, due to joints or cracks in the underlying
strata of rocks, slippage is likely to take place. There is, for
instance, the great San Andreas Rift, in California, which is a
'fault'."

"Sorry, Mr. Michaelson," Higgins interrupted. "If you've got something
to say, say it, but don't start giving us a lecture on geology."

"In explainin