Tom sat comfortably at the boat's stern as it glided smoothly through the water. It always baffled him how things as heavy as watercraft could be carried so easily by such calm-looking water. But it was a good thing that it was possible because that was what the whole mission depended on. The girl had warned that engines should not be used until they had gotten what they had come for. That is if they would get it. What were the chances? Zero to five perhaps?

He got to his feet as he heard the boatman shout orders to his men. They had reached the spot and the nets would...