know the skipper of the
dredger. We can sort of drop in on him and take a look from there.
That suit?"

"That will be fine," Rick replied. "But we may have a long wait if
Brad's at Creek House."

"Wouldn't be surprised," Cap'n Mike nodded. "Likely two hours. What
say you come into my shack? Might be able to scare up a sandwich or
two to pass away the time."

Rick looked at Jerry doubtfully. "There's a paper tomorrow morning.
Don't you have to get back and help get it out?"

"Not tonight." Jerry grinned his pleasure. "Duke said to stick with
you two and forget everything else. First time I've had an assignment
like this. I have to admit I sort of like it."

"Good," Cap'n Mike grunted. "Then let's go see what we can find to
eat. I got so interested in watching for Brad Marbek that I plumb
forgot about food."

* * * * *

It was after eleven when the four left the shack and climbed into
Jerry's car for the short ride to the pier. At Scotty's suggestion,
they parked the car on the edge of town and walked to the dock where
the dredger was tied up. They stayed in the shadows, hopeful that they
would not be seen, and Rick thought they reached the dredge without
attracting attention.

The dredge was deserted, but Cap'n Mike made himself at home. He led
the boys into the wheelhouse, a small shack on the aft end, and they
took places at the windows. They had arrived too early, as it
developed. It was a full half-hour before the _Albatross_ rounded the
fish pier and steamed into her berth. The pier workers were gathered
at the berth, obviously waiting impatiently. They had finished
unloading the last of the other trawlers a full fifteen minutes
before.

Rick studied the rigging of the ship as it approached and memorized
the position of her running lights. The _Albatross_ had only one
distinctive feature; her crow's-nest, from which a lookout was kept
for schools of fish, was basket-shaped instead of being perfectly
round. The other trawlers, he had noted, had crow's-nests that looked
like barrels. He knew he wouldn't forget the way the nest narrowed
toward the bottom.

The _Albatross_ was low in the water. As she slid into position and
threw out her lines, he saw clearly the Plimsoll mark on her bow. The
Plimsoll mark was a series of measurements in feet, running from the
maximum depth at which the ship should lie in the water down toward
the keel. By looking at it, the skipper could te