Zircon, then taxied out to the clear
area and took off. The ceiling was lower than on the trip in, and he
almost missed Clipper Cay because of strong winds and low visibility. He
spotted the southern tip of the island just in time to avoid going right
on by. He landed with beads of perspiration on his forehead. If he had
missed, with luck he might have hit Puerto Rico, but more likely he
would have had to make a landing in the open ocean.

Scotty and Tony came to greet him.

"We were worried," Tony said. "It's closing in fast."

"I got a little worried myself," Rick admitted. "Anything new here?"

Scotty gestured toward the northern end of the island. "Our pals have
been busy, diving. They got the brass ball, or whatever it is, and
stowed it aboard their boat. I kept an eye on 'em through the
binoculars. Also, I suspect they're going to do some more diving,
because they left their equipment on the boat."

Rick didn't particularly care at that moment. The flight back had been
something of a strain. "Let 'em go," he said. "We can't do anything
about it, anyway--not in broad daylight. Maybe tonight we can take a
look."

They spent the afternoon indoors, napping or reading, unable to swim or
fish because the second storm had arrived on schedule. Then, a few
minutes before six, Rick turned on the radio to the Navy command
channel.

At six on the nose, the radio emitted: "_A message for the blue-sheep
hunters. The blue sheep seen by the big hunter and the little hunter is
important. Obtain more information if possible. But remember that the
owners of the sheep are also mighty hunters. The snapshots of the sheep
were fine._"

The message was repeated. When they were sure there was no more, Rick
switched the set off. "Well, we're in it, and with Steve's blessing. Now
what?"

Scotty shrugged. "Now we steal the brass ball. Didn't Steve's message
say to get more information?"

"Apparently the pictures turned out well, if I understood that reference
to snapshots correctly," Tony said. "Be serious, Scotty. What can we do
next?"

"Keep an eye on the frogmen, I guess, and play it by ear. I can't see
anything else to be done. We probably could steal their brass ball, all
right, but they'd know at once who had done it because we're the only
other people on the island."

"Have you looked recently to see what they're doing?" Tony asked.

Neither boy had. Both went to the front porch, but the frogmen's cottage
was invisib