Smugglers' Reef: A Rick Brant Science-Adventure Story Page 9

  CHAPTER IX

  Night Watch

  Less than a half-hour after arriving at Spindrift, Rick and Scottywere back at Smugglers' Reef. But this time they were in the Cub. WithScotty operating Rick's speed graphic camera, they took several photosof Creek House, Salt Creek, and Brendan's Marsh from varyingaltitudes. Then Rick swung in a wide circle, losing altitude, andleveled off only a hundred feet over the marsh. He was headed straightfor Creek House.

  Scotty paused in putting the camera in its case and looked at him.

  Rick winked. "Going to see if the Kelsos are home."

  The Cub flashed across Salt Creek and Rick pulled the control wheelback into his lap. The small plane shot upward in a zoom that justcleared the hotel, then at the top of the zoom Rick did a fast wingover and started back.

  "I know you can fly," Scotty said calmly, "but don't try to roll yourwheels on the roof."

  Rick shot across the hotel within five feet of the chimney and droppedso low that his prop wash flattened the reeds in the marsh. Then,climbing again, he swung wide and went over Seaford at a legalaltitude. He was, even the critical Gus admitted, a safe-and-saneflier, but the temptation to get back at Carrots Kelso a little wastoo much. High over the town, he turned to Scotty. "I didn't seeanyone. Now, if you were in the house and a crazy pilot buzzed youtwice, what would you do?"

  "Run out and look," Scotty said promptly.

  "Uhuh." Rick was enjoying himself. Whether his scheme worked or not,he liked it. "And if the plane was out of sight, what would you dothen?"

  "I'd go far away from the house, so it wouldn't block my view, andlook for it."

  "The farthest you can get away from Creek House, without running intothe fence, is at the end of the pier."

  Scotty broke into laughter. "I hope I never have you for an enemy.What'll you bet Carrots doesn't go to the end of the pier?"

  "No bets. But I'm hoping."

  Rick turned inland. When he was out of sight of the town, he lostaltitude in a tight spiral over Salt Creek. At five hundred feet, hebanked around and followed the creek, his throttle wide open. As theCub flashed over Salt Creek Bridge, he put the plane in a shallowdive. Creek House loomed and he let out a yell of triumph.

  Carrots Kelso was standing on the end of the pier, looking at the sky!

  Rick pointed the nose of the Cub directly at him and held it there. Hesaw Carrots turn at the noise of the plane, saw his mouth open toyell and his eyes pop. Rick hauled the stick back into his lap andkicked left rudder. As the Cub spun around he banged Scotty with hisfree hand and chortled with glee.

  Carrots, afraid for his life, had gone headlong into the creek.

  "That pays him back for shooting at you," Scotty said withsatisfaction. "Bet he was more scared than you were. But we still owehim for those fish."

  * * * * *

  Two of the photos proved excellent for their purposes. Scotty, who hadtaken an interest in developing and printing, made a 10 by 14-inchenlargement of each. They spent most of Thursday studying them,talking over their various clues endlessly, and waiting for Cap'nMike's call. Shortly after supper on Thursday night he did call, butonly to say he had nothing to report and that he hadn't been able totalk to Jim Killian. The fisherman was taking a few days off to visithis mother in Pennsylvania.

  "A fine time for him to go vacationing," Rick said, "when he might beable to supply some essential information. I've got an idea, Cap'n,"he added. "Can you find out what source the automatic light uses forelectricity? See if it has its own power plant or whether there's acable that runs along the reef. If there is, see if there's a junctionbox or a switch or anything."

  Cap'n Mike promised to have the information next time he called.

  They were too restless to sit still and read. Rick had thought aboutasking his father to help him check the infrared spotlight in the lab,but Hartson Brant was preoccupied with a scientific analysis problem,so Rick decided to check his new invention by actual use.

  Dismal was the subject. The boys took him for a walk to the backsideof the island where there was no light at all except for dimmoonlight. Scotty carried the power supply on a strap over hisshoulder while Rick carried the camera and its attachments. The thingwas uncanny, even when its operation was understood. To the naked eye,Dismal was just a vague blur under the trees. But with the infraredsearchlight on him, Rick could see him through the telescope as thoughit were white light. He shot a few feet of film, then took it to thephoto lab. He could develop short lengths by dipping them into bottlesof solution, although full lengths would have to go to a New York labfor processing.

  Projecting the test length cleared up his questions. The camera workedbeautifully at distances up to three hundred yards. Beyond that,although things still could be seen, the lighting was poor anddefinition hazy.

  He spent more time in the darkroom winding the infrared film onhundred-foot rolls and placing them in light-tight cans, then hereloaded the camera with a full spool. That done, there was nothing todo but wait and try to read.

  On Friday night, Scotty glanced up from the leather chair in Rick'sroom. "What time is it?"

  Rick was lying on the bed, studying the ceiling and working on theproblem of the tower scratches and the shifting current. He looked athis watch. "Ten of nine. Why?"

  "Almost time for the trawlers to be getting back to Seaford."

  "As though I didn't know it! Unless we get a call within the nexthalf-hour, we might as well forget it for tonight, too."

  Scotty went back to his book. Rick resumed staring at the ceiling. Ithad occurred to him that there was an old wrecker's trick, well usedin the days of sailing ships. The trick was to extinguish a navigationlight so ships would run aground and be easy prey for the wreckers.And sometimes the wreckers helped out by raising false lights. Now ifthe automatic light at the tip of the reef could be cut off, and if afalse light were raised on the old tower . . . they just had to talkwith Captain Killian! Bill Lake thought a shift of current and a patchof mist had been responsible for him losing the light and putting himoff course. But what if Smugglers' Light had been cut off and a falselight lighted on the old tower?

  Rick snapped his fingers. "I've got it!"

  Scotty looked up. "Got what?"

  Just then the phone rang.

  The boys almost fell over each other in their haste. Rick got to itfirst and said a breathless hello.

  "Cap'n Mike speaking. Rick?"

  "Yes!"

  "Brad just turned up Salt Creek. I'll be in my shack waiting to hearabout it, boy. And say, the automatic light works by a cable. Cablecomes down the pole in front of the Creek House fence and goes into ametal box. From there it goes underground to the light."

  "Thanks a million," Rick said exultantly. "We'll see you sometimetonight, Cap'n." He hung up and turned to Scotty. "Let's go!"

  They ran down the stairs and almost barged into Mrs. Brant. "Got tohurry, Mom."

  "Where to, Rick?"

  "Seaford," he said. "We'll take the boat. Don't worry, I don't thinkwe'll be out too late."

  Mrs. Brant's eyes were troubled. The boys had told the Brantssomething about events at Seaford. "Be careful, you two," she said.

  "We will," Scotty assured her.

  They had every intention of being extremely careful. Hartson Brant,who had been on expeditions with the boys, had every confidence intheir ability to look out for themselves. But Mrs. Brant, like allmothers, had some reservations.

  As they ran down the stairs to the landing, Scotty asked, "What was ityou said you had just before the phone rang?"

  "Tell you when we get underway," Rick returned, and as they spedthrough the water at over thirty miles an hour toward Seaford, he didso.

  "I think I know how the _Sea Belle_ was wrecked. But if I'm right, theKelsos were taking a terrific chance."

  "They're the kind who take chances." Scotty peered through thewindshield at the dark sea. Behind them, their wake was white andturbulent.

  "Well, here's how I figure. The Kelsos knew there was no sea trafficoff Smugglers' Reef except for the Seaford fleet, because the coastaltraffic moves pretty far offshore. They also knew that no one goesdown the old road past the hotels at night because there's nothingthere. And anyway, if a car came, they could see its lights."

  Rick paused. "There's a hole in this theory. In fact, there are acouple of them. I'm guessing that Tom Tyler was the first skipper toget into port a good percentage of the time. If he was, and if theyknew it, they could arrange with Brad Marbek to stick close behind himand give them some sort of signal. If they had glasses on the ships,they could see even a flashlight, couldn't they?"

  "I suppose so."

  "And if they were at the very top of Creek House, in the attic room,they could see the lights of the ships coming in before the ships sawSmugglers' Light!"

  "What are you driving at?" Scotty demanded.

  "Smugglers' Light is small. It's strictly for local navigation. Nowsuppose one of them was in the attic with glasses, waiting for theships. Tom Tyler comes over the horizon first, Brad Marbek rightbehind him. Brad makes a signal. Maybe he blinks his masthead light.By that, they know the next ships are pretty far behind and Tom Tyleris in front. The man in the attic signals. They turn off Smugglers'Light from the junction box in front of the hotel and light up theirown light on the crossbeam of the old tower. When Captain Tyler comesover the horizon far enough to see the light, what he sees is theKelsos' light. But he doesn't know that. He gives it leeway as usual;he's used to passing it close because there's plenty of water. Then,when he's within a short distance of it, the light goes off. He keepson course, thinking something has happened to the light, and piles onthe reef."

  "And as he piles up, the real light is put back on!" Scottyexclaimed.

  "Yes," Rick said excitedly. "And the man with the light in the towerjust removes it, gets down, and runs for Creek House before the men onthe _Sea Belle_ have even picked themselves up!"

  "It makes sense," Scotty agreed. "And how! Of course Tom Tyler knowshe's been tricked the minute he hits, and he knows why. So does BradMarbek, but he's in on it. Bill Lake, who's pretty far behind, thinksthe shift in the light is due to a patch of mist and a strong current.But how about Captain Killian? He was closer to the light."

  "That's why it's important to get his story," Rick said. His eyes hadbeen scanning the dark coast line ceaselessly. Now, picking up thestart of Brendan's Marsh, he turned the wheel and swung out to sea.

  Their study of the photographs had convinced them that the best way toapproach Creek House was from the rear. To do that, they had to passfar enough out at sea so their engine noise would not be toonoticeable and attract the attention of the Kelsos. Rick took a quicklook around and saw no other boat lights. He leaned forward andsnapped off their own.

  In a few moments they saw the lights of Creek House and Smugglers'Light. When they were well past it, Rick turned inshore, throttleddown to make as little noise as possible. There was a short dock infront of the abandoned Sandy Shores Hotel. He gauged distancecarefully in the dim light and let his momentum carry him to it.Scotty jumped out and made the bow fast while Rick cut the enginecompletely and hurried to secure the stern. In a moment they were onthe dock together looking toward the Creek House.

  "Let's go," Rick whispered.

  They made their way as noiselessly as possible behind the old hotel,then picked a careful path through accumulated junk past the rears ofthe Sea Girt, the Atlantic View, and the Shore Mansions. Twice theyhad to climb rusted fences and Rick was grateful that they had put onold clothes. Presently they were against the Creek House fence.

  He touched Scotty's arm and gestured. Then he led the way toward theplace where the fence stopped at the marsh. They had planned theadventure up to the end of the fence. After that they would have totake advantage of whatever offered.

  They hadn't seen in the photograph that the fence extended into themarsh for a short distance. Rick's first inkling of the fact came whenone foot sank into muck above the shoe top. He let out a softexclamation, and when he pulled the foot free it made a sighing sound.

  The boys held a whispered consultation and decided there was nothingfor it but to continue. Rick stepped forward, searching with his footfor firmer ground. Now and then he found a hummock, but there weretimes when he sank to the knee in clinging goo. Fortunately, therewere only a few feet of swamp to navigate.

  He reached the end of the fence and stopped, peering around it.

  There were lights on the pier, and the _Albatross_ was tied up to it,but the lights were too dim to illuminate anything over a few yardsaway. He crouched and moved over a little, making room for Scotty.Together they surveyed the terrain.

  "We can't see much from here," Scotty said, lips against Rick's ear."We'll have to get closer."

  Rick nodded. He motioned along the fence, indicating that they shouldfollow it, then he took the lead again. In a dozen muddy steps theywere out of the marshland and on dry ground again, but Rick had toexercise utmost care because there was a litter of dry junk thatcrackled underfoot. He picked his way carefully, hardly daring tobreathe loudly.

  Once he froze and felt Scotty tense behind him. Brad Marbek and RedKelso walked from the hotel to the pier and stood looking upstream.Their backs were to the boys. Rick started moving again. There were nolights in the hotel on the fence side. He wanted to reach the safedarkness of that area before planning their next move. As he went, hewondered where Carrots was, and what had happened to Brad's crew.

  They reached the dark space between the hotel and the fence withoutincident and Rick straightened up with a little breath of relief. Nowwhat? He reviewed the photograph of the hotel grounds in his mind.

  Scotty tugged his sleeve and pointed. Rick looked up and saw that awindow was open on the first floor. The room behind it was dark. For asecond he was tempted, then he shook his head. Going into the hotelwas dangerous, even though they probably could make their way to anupper floor and have an unobstructed view from a window. If they weretrapped inside ... he didn't like the thought. At least their retreatwas open while they were out of doors. The top of the fence was withinreach if they jumped. They could swing over it and run. Once outsidethe fence, the Kelsos would have a hard time catching up with them.

  He remembered that the front of the hotel and part of the area on thecreek side contained shrubs, relics of its original landscaping. Theshrubs would give them cover. He touched Scotty and motioned. Then hestarted around the front of the hotel, crossing the driveway, whichled into the grounds through a gate, closed now and looking like partof the fence.

  The front of the hotel was dark. Swiftly he went past the porch,moving through the shrubbery with extreme caution. He gained thecorner nearest the creek safely, Scotty behind him. When he peeredaround, he had a good view of the dock. Red Kelso and Brad Marbek werestill talking. No one else was in sight. Somewhere inside, a doorbanged. Rick stiffened. That must be Carrots, or one of the crew.

  He moved forward, spotting a hedge that had marked the edge of thegarden. If they crouched behind that, they would have an unobstructedview. He dodged a shrub and reached the hedge; it was just waist-high.He sank to his knees and parted the twigs, searching for a good viewthrough them. Beside him, Scotty knelt and did the same.

  He put his mouth close to Scotty's ear. "This is a good place," hewhispered.

  "It's a fine place," a loud voice said. "Get up, both of you!"

  Rick whirled, his heart stopping. He looked straight across the frontsight of a rifle into the grinning face of Carrots Kelso!