the crabs. There's no doubt about it. They have Orvil."

Strangely, Steve replied, "Yes, I know. Come on in the house."

The three walked up the path to the farmhouse, with Rick and Scotty
staring incredulously at the agent. How had he known?

"Did you get a phone call after we left?" Rick asked.

Steve shook his head.

"Then how did you know?" Scotty demanded.

Steve held up a hand. "Easy, kids. I'm trying to get my thoughts
straightened out a little and make some plans. We'll talk it over
shortly."

Inside the house, Rick went at once to the refrigerator. As the others
watched, he pulled the bottom panel loose, took out the small rocket,
and replaced the panel. Then he turned the refrigerator control back to
normal and handed the rocket to Steve.

The agent examined it wordlessly, his forehead wrinkled in thought. Then
he put it down on the kitchen table and investigated the state of the
coffeepot while Rick and Scotty stood first on one foot, then the other,
and fumed quietly.

Steve decided more coffee was needed and proceeded to make it. Not until
the pot was heating did he motion the boys to sit down at the kitchen
table. He joined them, turning a chair around and straddling it, his
chin resting on his hands on the back, his eyes alert.

"Testing our patience again?" Rick asked acidly.

Steve's warm grin flashed. "Sorry, kids. I was working over a few facts
in my head, trying to make them add up. Okay, let's talk. Start by
telling me about last night."

The boys reported, taking turns. "At first we thought Orvil might have
told the riflemen guards we were on the bottom," Rick said finally, "but
that's out. He's a victim, not a member of the gang. I saw his boat just
before Scotty picked me up, but I couldn't see him."

Scotty picked up the tale. "After Rick dropped off, I made a high-speed
run out into the river, then turned and headed for a spot on the north
bank opposite where I thought the guards were. I got in close to shore
and throttled down, deliberately giving them a chance at me if they
wanted to take it. There weren't any shots, but I saw one of the guards.
The visibility wasn't very good, so I propped the extra tank up in the
seat and put my headpiece and mask on it, hoping any watchers would
think there were two of us. I don't know whether they were fooled or
not."

"Pretty smart," Steve approved.

"Thanks. I ran back out into the river and fished around in the locker
under the seat.