ully
dried. Finally, the compressor was ready. They carried it to the boat,
started the gas engine, and connected the tanks. But before the air
started to flow, Rick carefully inspected the filter system to be sure
that hadn't been tampered with too.

"You know," he observed, "these enemies Steve is hunting know a lot
about sport diving."

Scotty considered. "They knew that tanks could be dangerous, and they
knew that oil in a compressor is dangerous. You're right, Rick. They
know plenty about it."

"But it doesn't do us much good to know that they know," Rick concluded.
"Well, now what? It will be a few hours before all the tanks are
charged."

"Where are Zircon and Tony?"

"Napping. We probably should join them."

"Not me. There's nothing to do after sundown but sleep. I'd like to take
a walk and look the island over."

Rick sighed. "Always an eager beaver. I'll go with you, if you don't
walk fast."

They turned north and walked up the beach. Somewhere off this stretch of
beach was the _Maiden Hand_. But where? They strolled along leisurely,
stopping now and then to examine some bit of beach flotsam. There were
shells, but most of them were small and water worn.

"We'll have to collect a few shells on the reef," Rick said. "Barby will
be disappointed if we don't."

"That's easy enough to do," Scotty replied. "I saw half a dozen
different varieties this morning."

They passed a beach house, obviously empty. Rick gestured toward it.
"Funny how few people there are here. If I owned a place on this island
I'd be here all the time."

"Unless you had to make a living," Scotty added practically. "This isn't
the season for vacations. I expect vacation time finds plenty of
activity here. There's one cabin occupied to the south of us. I saw
people there this morning. They're probably the same ones who waved at
us from a boat when we flew over day before yesterday."

"The boat isn't there now," Rick observed. "At least, I haven't seen
it."

"They may have gone to St. Thomas for supplies. Or they may have gone
home." Scotty pointed to what seemed to be the largest house on the
island, near the northern tip. "That's quite a place. Let's go have a
look."

There was a long pier in front of the house, and, unlike the others on
the island, this house had a second story. There was no sign of life.
They walked around it and found a barbecue pit. Scotty examined it.
"This has been used recently, probably in the past