dentified flying objects were forgotten as Steve initiated them into
the proper method of eating fresh crab. It turned out to be quite an
art, but one that they mastered quickly. Soon all three of them were
munching succulent back-fin crab meat drenched in fresh butter. The
wooden block served as an anvil, and the round hardwood piece as a
hammer for cracking claws. The paring knife was used for trimming and
for scooping out delicious bits of meat. The fork was utilized to
persuade small tidbits to leave their shell cages. Three or four napkins
were used between each tidbit to mop buttery hands, and even chins, down
which the butter sometimes dripped. It was a feast, indeed.

"If I hadn't been a heavy eater before, I'd be one after this," Scotty
observed happily.

"Beats hunting flying stingarees," Rick agreed. "Pass another crab,
please."

Not until the table had been cleared by the waiter, who simply removed
the utensils and tray, then wrapped up all the shells in the brown paper
and carried it off, did the conversation return to the mystery.

Rick hadn't told Steve of last night's meeting with the white-haired man
or of the thinly veiled warning. He described them now in detail.

"Odd," Steve said. "This familiar face needs identifying. No normal
person worries about anyone asking casual questions. That's a sure mark
of insecurity. In other words, the man is afraid. People who are afraid
often have something to hide. Do you have any reason to think he may be
tied up with the flying stingarees or saucers?"

"None at all," Rick answered.

"Do you know where Calvert's Favor is?" Scotty asked. "The location
wasn't given in your books. There was quite a lot about the plantation
house."

"No, never heard of the place. But we'll find out when we pass through
Cambridge. I know a man there who knows everything about this area."
Steve held out his hand. "Let's see your notebook."

Scotty handed it over. The young agent leafed through it rapidly.
"That's some list. If I had any doubt that people were seeing things,
it's gone now. How are you going to arrange the data?"

"In tables, and on a map," Rick explained.

"Fine. We can do it tonight. Want anything else?"

Scotty groaned. "I couldn't even drink a glass of water."

"Same here," Rick agreed.

"Then let's leave the crabs behind and take a ride."

On the way back to Cambridge, Steve Ames mused aloud. "You know, it's an
odd world. A few years ago there were