sense than to go into smuggling. No matter how foolproof you think
your setup is, if you start smuggling you're bound to get caught.
Sooner or later."

"In this case," Rick added hopefully, "we'll try to make it sooner."

CHAPTER XV

Plimsoll Marks

Duke Barrows, editor of the Whiteside _Morning Record_, sipped slowly
at his cup of coffee, nodding encouragement at Rick every once in a
while. The editor, after a few words with Jerry, had taken Captain
Killian to his own house for safekeeping. The captain could stay
there, Duke said, until it was time for him to make a public
appearance.

But the price Duke asked was to be told the complete story. At first
Rick hesitated. With no proof of anything except for Captain Killian's
testimony, which actually convicted no one, he was a little doubtful
about making accusations. But when it came to keeping a tight lip, the
editor was probably more experienced than any of them. Besides, Rick
hoped that he might have a suggestion, so, finally, they put Cap'n
Mike on the Seaford bus and the three boys and Duke retired to a
secluded booth in the rear of a restaurant to talk it over.

Barrows traced circles on the plastic table top for long moments after
Rick had finished. "You've been pretty thorough," he said finally.
"What do you plan to try now?"

Rick shook his head. "I wish I knew. We could try to get to Creek
House earlier next time the _Albatross_ puts in there, but we know now
they guard the place."

"How about spotting the _Albatross_ from the air while she actually
loads at sea?" Duke asked.

"Rick mentioned that," Scotty replied. "But how? We can't fly at night
in the Cub because we don't have landing lights. And even if we did,
we could only go out in moonlight because we don't have any night
flying instruments."

Jerry looked at the editor. "Duke, you know the Coast Guard commanding
officer in this area. How about getting him to send out one of his
planes?"

"We could," Duke said slowly, "but I'd rather not. This is Rick and
Scotty's case." He grinned. "Besides, I'm selfish. If the Coast Guard
gets it, every news agency and paper in the country gets it from
official sources. I'd rather have an exclusive we can copyright, then
every paper in the country will have to quote us."

"It would put Whiteside on the map," Rick grinned in response.
"Seriously, Duke, I'm afraid that's not very practical. Besides, how
would we know when the _Albatross_ was goi