,,"y ,,read]s ,atom ,my/]y ,,"y ,,atom ,,detective ,by ,,*>les ,,coombs ,,illu/rat$ ,,by ,g4 ,,dean ,,lewis ,publi%]s ,,grosset ,,dunlap1 ,,inc4 ,new ,york #aieh ,,by ,,lant]n ,,press1 ,,inc4 ,"u ! title3 8,,"y ,,atom ,,detective0 ,,by ,,arrangem5t ,,) ,,lant]n ,,press1 ,,inc4 ,,manufactur$ ,,9 ,,! ,,unit$ ,,/ates ,,( ,,am]ica ,,cont5ts ,,*apt] ,,"o #aa ,,*apt] ,,two #bg ,,*apt] ,,?ree #de ,,*apt] ,,f\r #eh ,,*apt] ,,five #gb ,,*apt] ,,six #hi ,,*apt] ,,sev5 #ajg ,,*apt] ,,eight #aag ,,*apt] ,,n9e #ace ,,*apt] ,,t5 #aea ,,*apt] ,,elev5 #afa ,,*apt] ,,twelve #agb ,,illu/rations ,page 8,hi1 !re10 ,eddie greet$1 8,any luck80 #ea 8,come on1 ,eddie1 let's g back40 #ajd ,! cyl9d] 0 simple to locate4 #acg 444 he saw ! small rubb] boat mov+ 94 #agi ,,"y ,,read]s ,atom ,my/]y ,,*apt] ,,"o ,x 0 only a dream4 ,eddie ,taylor w\ld l to h f9i%$ x1 b ! b> ( morn+ sunlight pok+ 9 "u ! w9d[ %ade pri$ 8 eyes op54 ,! dream fl$4 ,eddie kick$ (f ! %eet1 swung 8 feet to ! floor1 & grop$ "u ! b$ = 8 t5nis %oes4 ,he he>d 8 fa!r's heavy foot/eps 9 ! hallway4 ,!y /opp$ outside ( 8 b$room door4 8,y awake1 ,eddie80 8,i'm awake1 ,dad10 ,eddie answ]$4 8,breakfa/'s ready4 ,get wa%$ & dress$40 8,be "r !re10 ,eddie said4 ,!n1 rememb]+ ! dream1 he add$1 8,oh1 ,dad1 is x all "r if ,i use ! ,geig] c\nt] today80 ,mr4 ,taylor op5$ ! door4 ,he 0 a big man1 broad-%\ld]$ & /ill ?9-wai/$4 ,eddie f\nd x easy to believe ! /ories he _h he>d ab\t 8 fa!r be+ an out/&+ football play] 9 8 "t4 ,ev5 8 glasses & ! gray hair at 8 temples didn't add mu* age1 al?\gh ,eddie knew x _h be5 eighte5 ye>s s9ce 8 fa!r _h play$ 8 la/ game ( college football4 8,y may use ! ,geig] c\nt] any "t y want1 ,eddie10 ,mr4 ,taylor said1 8z long z y take good c>e ( x4 ,y figur$ out :]e y c f9d "s uranium ore80 ,eddie smil$ %eepi%ly4 8,i--,i _h a dream10 he said4 8,pla9 z day4 ,x 0 out on ,c$> ,po9t4 ,i 0 walk+ along ov] "s rocks4 ,sudd5ly ! ,geig] c\nt] began click+ l ev]y?+40 8,c$> ,po9t80 8 fa!r ask$4 8,i've nev] be5 out !re4 ,b1 f :at ,i he>1 !re are pl5ty ( rock =mations4 ,might be wor? a try1 at t4 ,y nev] c tell :]e y might /rike "s radioactivity40 8,d y believe 9 dreams1 ,dad80 8,well1 n[1 t's a t\gh "q1 son4 ,i c't say t ,i really d4 ,/ill1 "o clue is z good z ano!r :5 x comes to hunt+ uranium ore1 ,i guess4 ,b "r n[ we'd bett] get out to breakfa/ be=e y\r "m scalps u4 ,hurry x up40 ,8 fa!r turn$ & w5t back d[n ! hallway t[>d ! kit*54 ,eddie pull$ on 8 tr\s]s & ,t %irt & w5t into ! ba?room4 ,he wa%$ hurri$ly1 kn[+ t ev5 if he miss$ a spot or two1 he 0 fairly safe4 ,dur+ ! summ] mon?s 8 freckles got s ?ick & d>k t x w\ld take a magnify+ glass to detect any small smudges ( dirt hid+ among !m4 ,he pla/]$ "s wat] on 8 d>k-r$ hair1 pu%$ a comb ?r\gh x1 & %rugg$ z x snapp$ back almo/ to its orig9al position4 ,oh1 well1 he _h tri$4 ,he gr9n$ into ! mirror1 rea*$ a f+] into 8 m\?1 & unhook$ ! small rubb] b&s f 8 too? braces4 ,he dropp$ !m into ! wa/e basket4 ,he'd put fre% ones 9 aft] breakfa/4 ,he bru%$ 8 tee? c>efully1 tak+ p>ticul> pa9s ar\nd ! metal braces4 ,! too?-/raight5+ or?odonti/ _h w>n$ him ab\t lett+ food ga!r ar\nd ! metal clamps4 ,x c\ld />t cavities4 ,f9i%$1 ,eddie w5t out to breakfa/4 8,good morn+1 de>10 8 "m greet$ him1 h&+ him a plate ( eggs4 8,hi1 ,mom10 ,eddie said4 8,gotta hurry4 ,big day today40 8,s y\r fa!r says4 ,b ,i'm afraid y\r big day w h to />t ) sort+ out & ty+ up ^? newspap]s & magaz9es t h be5 collect+ 9 ! g>age40 8,aw1 ,mom--0 8,eddie1 ,i ask$ y to d x ?ree days ago4 ,rememb]8 ,& ! ,goodwill truck comes ar\nd today40 8,b1 ,mom--0 8,no argum5ts1 son10 8 fa!r put 9 calmly b firmly4 8,s*ool vacation doesn't mean t y\r *ores ar\nd "h are on vacation1 too4 ,get at x "r away1 & y'll /ill h "t to hunt y\r uranium4 8,well10 ,mr4 ,taylor add$1 excus+ himself f ! table1 8,i'd bett] be gett+ ov] to s*ool4 ,i'm expect+ to receive %ipm5t ( a new radioisotope today40 ,! v ^w excit$ ,eddie4 ,9 fact1 any?+ hav+ to d ) atomic sci5ce excit$ him4 ,he knew some?+ ab\t isotopes--pron\nc$ eye-suh-tope4 ,y c\ldn't h a fa!r :o 0 head ( ! atomic-sci5ce dep>tm5t at ,oceanview ,college )\t pick+ up a little k along ! way4 ,eddie knew t a radioisotope 0 a mat]ial :i* _h be5 8cook$0 9 an atomic reactor until x 0 8hot0 ) radioactivity4 ,:5 c>efully controll$1 ! radiation /or$ up 9 su* isotopes 0 us$ 9 _m b5eficial ways4 8,:y don't college pr(essors get summ] vacations1 too80 ,eddie ask$4 ,"o reason = ask+ t p>ticul> "q 0 to keep f pry+ deep] into ! subject ( ! radioisotope4 ,mu* ( 8 fa!r's "w at ,oceanview ,college 0 ( a secret nature4 ,eddie _h le>n$ n to ask que/ions ab\t x4 ,8 fa!r usually volunte]$ any in=mation he want$ kn[n1 s ,eddie /uck to que/ions :i* c\ld & w\ld be answ]$4 8,we get vacations10 8 fa!r said4 8,b--well1 my "w is a little diff]5t1 y "k4 ,at ! spe$ atomic sci5ce is mov+ today1 we simply c't af=d to wa/e "t4 ,b don't worry4 ,we'll take a week or s (f be=e s*ool />ts 9 ! fall4 ,maybe head = ! m\nta9s ) our t5t & sleep+ bags40 8,& ,geig] c\nt]80 ,eddie ask$ eag]ly4 8,w\ldn't ?9k ( leav+ x home10 8 fa!r said1 smil+4 8,by ! way1 ,i put new batt]ies 9 x ! o!r day4 ,take x easy on !m4 ,rememb] to swit* x (f :5 y're n actually us+ x40 8,i w10 ,eddie promis$4 ,he _h =gott5 sev]al times be=e1 weak5+ ! batt]ies4 ,x took ,eddie ov] an h\r to sort out ! newspap]s & magaz9es 9 ! g>age1 tie !m 9 neat bundles1 & place !m out on ! front curb = ! ,goodwill pickup4 ,by t "t ! sun 0 high ov]head4 ,x _h driv5 (f ! coolness :i* ! ocean air _h provid$ dur+ ! e>li] h\rs4 8,any?+ else1 ,mom80 he ask$1 return+ to ! h\se & gett+ ! ,geig] c\nt] out ( ! closet4 ,he edg$ t[>d ! back door be=e 8 "m _h mu* "t to ?9k ( some?+ m = him to d4 8,i guess n1 de>10 ,mrs4 ,taylor said1 smil+ ov] 8 ha/y retreat4 8,:at are y go+ to d80 8,?9k ,i'll d a little prospect+10 ,eddie said4 8,:]e80 8,probably 9 ! hills beyond ! college10 ,eddie said4 ,! m he ?\ght ab\t x1 ! m he realiz$ x 0 a little late 9 ! day to g to ,c$> ,po9t4 ,! be/ way to get !re 0 by r[boat across ,moon ,bay1 & t 0 too long a r[ to be />t+ n[4 ,besides1 !re 7 pl5ty ( o!r places ar\nd ! outskirts ( ,oceanview :]e likely look+ rock =mations invit$ se>* ) a ,geig] c\nt]4 8,are y go+ alone80 8 "m ask$4 8,oh1 guess ,i'll /op by & see if ,te5a wants to g10 ,eddie answ]$ casually4 ,he tri$ to make x s\nd z ?\gh he w\ld be do+ ,te5a ,ross a big favor4 ,aft] all1 %e 0 only a girl4 ,eddie didn't figure a girl w\ld make a v good uranium prospect+ p>tn]1 b mo/ ( ! fell[s he knew 7 away at camp1 or vacation+ ) _! folks1 or some?+ l t4 8,%e'll enjoy x1 ,i'm sure10 8 "m said4 8,i'll take ,s&y1 too10 ,eddie said4 8,he ne$s ! ex]cise40 8,t's a good idea1 de>4 ,be back 9 "t = an e>ly d9n]40 ,eddie let ,s&y (f 8 *a94 ,! taffy-color$ cock] spaniel yipp$ wildly ov] 8 fre$om1 rac+ back & =? z ,eddie />t$ d[n ! /reet4 ,*ri/9a ,ross--:om ev]ybody call$ ,te5a--liv$ at ! f> end ( ! block4 ,eddie w5t ar\nd to ! side door ( ! light-gre5 /ucco h\se & knock$4 8,oh1 hi1 ,eddie10 ,te5a greet$ him1 appe>+ at ! scre5 door4 8,i 0 hop+ y'd come ov]40 8,well1 ,i--,i j happ5$ to be go+ by10 ,eddie said4 8,?\ght y might want to wat* me d a little prospect+ ) ! ,geig] c\nt]4 ,b maybe y're too busy40 ,t's h[ to h&le x1 ,eddie ?\ght4 ,don't act anxi\s4 ,let ,te5a be anxi\s4 ,!n maybe %e'll ev5 (f] to br+ along a c\ple ( s&wi*es or "s fruit4 8,oh1 ,i'd love to g10 ,te5a said eag]ly1 8b ,i'm j f9i%+ ! di%es4 ,come on 940 8,i'm 9 k9d ( a hurry40 8,i'll only be a m9ute40 ,%e pu%$ ! scre5 door op5 = him4 8,i'll make u "s s&wi*es40 8,/ay "h1 ,s&y10 ,eddie said4 8,sit40 ,! dog m9d$1 al?\gh he look$ a bit rebelli\s4 ,eddie w5t inside & foll[$ ,te5a to ! kit*54 ,he felt triumphant ab\t ! s&wi*es4 ,te5a toss$ him a di% t[el4 8,y dry !m10 %e said4 8,:o1 me80 8,:y n8 ,y're 9 a hurry1 ar5't y8 ,i c make ! s&wi*es :ile y dry ! silv]w>e40 ,%e smil$1 putt+ t9y cr9kles 9 h] small1 slightly upturn$ nose4 ,%e wore h] hair 9 a pony tail4 ,ev5 ?\gh h] hair 0 blond all ye> long1 x seem$ ev5 light] 9 ! summ]4 ,eddie c\ldn't tell :e!r ! sun _h fad$ x1 or :e!r h] deep summ] tan simply made h] hair look light] by contra/4 ,maybe bo?4 8,hello1 ,eddie10 ,mrs4 ,ross said1 com+ into ! kit*54 8,looks l ,te5a put y to "w40 8,%e always does1 ,mrs4 ,ross10 ,eddie said1 pret5d+ great injury4 8,don't "k :y ,i keep com+ ov] "h40 8,i "k10 ,te5a spoke up quickly4 8,x's because we're fri5ds1 t's :y40 ,eddie knew %e 0 "r4 ,!y 7 fri5ds--good fri5ds4 ,!y _h be5 ev] s9ce ,eddie's family _h mov$ to ,oceanview & 8 fa!r _h become head ( ! college's atomic-sci5ce dep>tm5t4 ,9 fact1 _! p>5ts 7 close fri5ds1 also4 ,te5a's fa!r 0 *ief eng9e] = ! ,acme ,aviation ,company1 "o ( ! coa/ t[n's l>ge/ manufactur+ conc]ns4 8,well1 ,i'll be glad to f9i% !m1 ,eddie10 ,mrs4 ,ross (f]$4 8,i "k h[ boys dete/ do+ di%es40 8,oh1 ,i don't really m9d1 ,mrs4 ,ross10 ,eddie said4 8,besides1 ,te5a's mak+ s&wi*es to take ) u40 8,ano!r prospect+ trip80 ,te5a's "m glanc$ at ! ,geig] c\nt] :i* ,eddie _h set c>efully on ! d9ette table4 8,i /ill ?9k !re mu/ be "s uranium ar\nd "h10 ,eddie insi/$4 8,& we c f9d x if anyone c40 8,i agree10 ,mrs4 ,ross said4 8,b ev5 if y don't f9d x1 y bo? seem to enjoy y\r hikes40 8,oh1 yes1 x's fun1 ,"m10 ,te5a repli$1 wrapp+ wax pap] ar\nd a s&wi*4 8,guess ,i'm ready4 ,i've got a bone = ,s&y1 too40 8,don't g too f> out f t[n10 ,mrs4 ,ross caution$1 z ,eddie pick$ up ! ,geig] c\nt]4 8,& /ick ne> ! ma9 roads4 ,y "k ! rules40 8,we sure d1 ,mrs4 ,ross10 ,eddie assur$ h]4 8,& we'll be back e>ly40 ,!y walk$ pa/ ! college campus1 & t[>d ! rocky foo?ills beyond4 ,at v>i\s rock m\nds & outcropp+s1 ,eddie swit*$ on ! ,geig] c\nt]4 ,! ne$le ( ! dial on ! black box wav]$ slightly4 ,a sl[ click+ came ?r\gh ! e>phones1 b ,eddie knew ^! indicat$ no m ?an a normal backgr\nd c\nt4 ,!re 7 slight traces ( radioactivity 9 almo/ all e>? or rocks4 ,x 0 9 ! air itself1 caus$ by my/]i\s & ev]-pres5t cosmic rays1 s !re 0 always a mild backgr\nd c\nt :5 ! ,geig] c\nt] 0 turn$ on2 b to mean any?+1 ! ne$le _h to jump f> ahead on ! gauge1 & ! click+ ?r\gh ! e>phones _h to spe$ up until x s\nd$ almo/ l bacon fry+ 9 a hot skillet4 ,!re 0 none ( t today4 ,aft] !y _h hik$ & se>*$ mo/ ( ! =5oon1 ,eddie said1 8,we might z well call x a day1 ,te5a4 ,doesn't seem to be any?+ out "h40 8,x's all "r ) me10 ,te5a agre$1 pluck+ foxtails f ,s&y's e>s4 8,pretty hot1 anyway4 ,let's eat our s&wi*es & g back home40 8,all "r10 ,eddie said4 8,y "k1 "o ( ^! days ,i'd l to g out to ,c$> ,po9t & sc\t ar\nd4 ,maybe we'll f9d some?+ !re40 ,!n he told ,te5a ab\t 8 dream4 ,te5a smil$4 8,a dream sure isn't mu* to g on10 %e said1 8b !y say x's pretty out on ,c$> ,po9t4 ,i'll g any "t y want to1 ,eddie40 ,%e h&$ him "o ( ! s&wi*es4 ,x 0 midaft]noon by ! "t !y arriv$ back at ,te5a's h\se4 ,!y work$ a :ile on a new jigsaw puzzle ,te5a _h receiv$ on a rec5t bir?day4 ,!n ,eddie said good-by & w5t on d[n ! /reet t[>d 8 own home4 ,aft] putt+ ,s&y on 8 long *a9 & fill+ 8 wat] di%1 ,eddie w5t 9 ! back door4 ,he put ! ,geig] c\nt] 9 ! closet & w5t into ! kit*54 8,:at's = d9n]1 ,mom80 he ask$4 ,mrs4 ,taylor turn$ f ! s9k4 ,eddie knew at once1 j see+ ! expression on 8 "m's face1 t some?+ 0 wrong4 8,d9n]80 8 "m said abs5tly4 8,x's n q f\r o'clock yet1 ,eddie4 ,besides1 d9n] may be a little late today40 8,b ?is morn+ y said x w\ld be e>ly10 ,eddie rem9d$ h]1 puzzl$4 8,?is morn+ ,i didn't "k :at might happ540 ,!n ,eddie he>d ! s\nd ( 8 fa!r's voice com+ f ! d54 ,!re 0 a /range urg5t tone 9 x4 ,! door to ! d5 0 op54 ,eddie w5t ?r\gh ! d9+ room & glanc$ into ! d54 ,8 fa!r sat /iffly beh9d 8 homemade desk1 talk+ rapidly into ! telephone4 ,eddie caught only ! la/ few sket*y words4 ,!n 8 fa!r plac$ ! telephone 9 its cradle1 glanc$ up1 & saw ,eddie4 ,if !re _h be5 ev5 ! slighte/ d\bt 9 ,eddie's m9d ab\t some?+ be+ wrong1 x vani%$ n[4 ,mr4 ,taylor look$ ye>s old] ?an he _h t v morn+4 ,worry lay deep 9 8 eyes4 ,he fumbl$ ?\ghtfully ) a p5cil1 turn+ x end ov] end on 8 desk4 8,hello1 son10 he said4 ,he didn't ev5 ask :e!r ,eddie _h discov]$ any uranium ore t day4 ,always be=e1 he _h %[n g5u9e int]e/ 9 ,eddie's prospect+ trips4 8,dad10 ,eddie said anxi\sly1 8:at--:at's ! matt]80 8,x %[s t mu*1 does x1 son80 8 fa!r said tir$ly4 8,:at's wrong1 ,dad80 ,eddie prompt$4 8,or c't y tell me80 ,mr4 ,taylor lean$ back4 8,q a bit's wrong1 ,eddie10 he said1 8& ,i guess !re's no reason :y ,i %\ldn't tell y4 ,x'll be 9 ! ev5+ pap]s1 anyway40 8,ev5+ pap]s80 8,eddie1 y rememb] me m5tion+ ?is morn+ ab\t t radioisotope %ipm5t ,i 0 expect+ today80 8,i rememb]10 ,eddie said4 8,did x come80 8,x did--& x didn't10 8 fa!r said4 8,:at does t mean1 ,dad80 ,eddie ask$1 puzzl$4 8,! deliv]y truck arriv$ at ! s*ool ) x10 8 fa!r expla9$1 8b :ile ! driv] 0 inquir+ :]e to put x1 ! conta9] disappe>$40 8,disappe>$80 8,! radioisotope 0 /ol51 ,eddie10 8 fa!r said sl[ly4 8,/ol5 "r out f "u our noses60 ,,*apt] ,,two ,at ! mom5t1 ,eddie didn't pry = fur!r in=mation on ! !ft ( ! valuable radioactive isotope4 ,8 fa!r _h pl5ty on 8 m9d1 z x 04 ,! ma9 in=mation 0 9 ! ev5+ ,globe1 :i* ,eddie ru%$ out to get z soon z he he>d x plop onto ! front por*4 ,he took ! newspap] to 8 fa!r to read fir/4 ,aft] hav+ f9i%$1 ,mr4 ,taylor h&$ ! pap] to ,eddie & lean$ back ?\ghtfully 9 8 *air4 8,!y've got x pretty /raight1 at t10 ,mr4 ,taylor said1 8b ,i'm afraid ?is is go+ to /ir up q a bit ( tr\ble40 8,x wasn't y\r fault1 0 x1 ,dad80 ,eddie def5d$4 8,x 0 z mu* m9e z anybody's1 son10 8 fa!r said4 8,probably m s4 ,aft] all1 ,i am head ( ! dep>tm5t4 ,i knew ab\t ! %ipm5t4 ,t %\ld make x my responsibility to see t x 0 prop]ly receiv$ & plac$ 9 our atomic-mat]ials /orage vault4 ,b !re is little po9t 9 try+ to place ! blame on anyone4 ,i'm will+ to accept t "p ( x4 ,! important ?+ is t we recov] t radioisotope4 ,n only is x ( a secret nature1 b x is also dang]\sly radioactive if improp]ly h&l$40 8,b--b wasn't x 9 a safe conta9]80 ,eddie ask$4 8,( c\rse10 8 fa!r said4 8,!re 7 only two ounces ( x 9 a fifty-p\nd lead capsule4 ,z long z x rema9s 9 t capsule x's safe4 ,z y "k1 ! lead prev5ts any radiation f escap+4 ,out ( t capsule1 h[ev]1 ^? two ounces ( radioisotope c be v dang]\s40 8,fifty p\nds10 ,eddie said ?\ghtfully4 8,t's a pretty big ?+ to /eal1 isn't x80 8,n :5 x's lead1 son10 8 fa!r repli$4 8,n mu* bigg] ?an a two-qu>t milk bottle1 9 fact40 8,ev5 at t1 no kid c\ld h tak5 x10 ,eddie said4 8,kid80 ,8 fa!r smil$ ?9ly4 8,we don't ?9k x 0 any kid1 ,eddie4 ,n by a long %ot4 ,! :ole ?+ 0 c>efully plann$ & c>efully c>ri$ out4 ,x 0 n ! "w ( amateurs40 ,eddie read ! newspap] acc\nt4 ,! small truck f ,drake ,ridge1 :]e "o ( ! c\ntry's newe/ atomic reactors 0 locat$1 _h arriv$ e>li] ?an expect$ at ,oceanview ,college4 ,x _h back$ up to ! receiv+ dock :]e all ( ! college supplies 7 deliv]$4 ,s9ce deliv]ies dur+ vacation mon?s 7 few1 !re 0 no "o on ! dock :5 ! truck arriv$4 ,a half h\r lat]1 :5 ! deliv]y 0 expect$1 !re w\ld h be54 ,! truck's e>ly arrival _h caught !m unprep>$4 ,! driv] _h left ! truck & _h gone ar\nd ! build+ to ! front (fice4 ,x _h tak5 him less ?an five m9utes to locate ! receiv+-dock =eman4 ,toge!r1 !y _h return$ ?r\gh ! small w>eh\se & op5$ ! re> door onto ! dock4 ,dur+ t %ort "t someone _h pri$ op5 ! heavy padlock on ! deliv]y truck's re> door & _h /ol5 ! fifty-p\nd lead capsule conta9+ ! radioisotope4 ,du/y footpr9ts on ! pavem5t ar\nd ! re> ( ! truck indicat$ t two m5 _h c>ri$ out ! !ft4 ,a heavy iron pry b> _h be5 dropp$ at ! re> ( ! truck aft] ! lock 0 sprung4 ,x 0 a common type us$ by c>p5t]s4 ,!re 7 no f+]pr9ts or o!r id5tify+ m>ks on x4 ,! footpr9ts 7 b>ely visible & ( no help o!r ?an to indicate t two m5 7 involv$ 9 ! crime4 8,dad10 ,eddie ask$1 look+ up f ! pap]1 8h[ c\ld anyone c>ry away some?+ weigh+ fifty p\nds )\t be+ notic$80 8,*ances are !y _h _! c> p>k$ ne>by10 8 fa!r said4 8,z y "k1 !re are no f5ces or gates ar\nd ,oceanview ,college4 ,p come & g z !y please4 ,z a matt] ( fact1 !re are always q a few automobiles p>k$ ar\nd ! %ipp+ & receiv+ build+1 & p>k+ space is sc>ce ev5 dur+ summ] sessions4 ,anyone c\ld p>k & wait !re unnotic$4 ,or !y c\ld walk ar\nd )\t attract+ any undue att5tion40 8,b1 ,dad10 ,eddie cont9u$1 8h[ w\ld ! m5 "k t ! deliv]y truck w\ld arrive a half h\r e>ly80 8,!y w\ldn't10 8 fa!r said4 8,!y may h _h ano!r plan4 ,! way ?+s work$ out1 !y didn't ne$ to use x4 ,! e>ly deliv]y & ! bus9ess ( leav+ ! truck ungu>d$ = a few m9utes probably gave !m a bett] opportunity ?an !y _h expect$4 ,at lea/1 !y took quick advantage ( x40 8,i don't see :at anyone w\ld want ) a radioisotope10 ,eddie said4 8,maybe !y figur$ !re 0 some?+ else inside ( t lead capsule40 8,t's unlikely1 son10 ,mr4 ,taylor said4 8,believe me1 x 0 no common !ft4 ,nor 7 ! ?ieves ord9>y ?ieves4 ,t isotope 0 a new "o4 ,a v secret "o4 ,our job at ! college 0 to conduct v>i\s te/s ) x 9 ord] to f9d out exactly h[ x c\ld be/ be put to use z a cure = disease1 or = /]iliz+ food1 or ev5 z a s\rce ( p[]40 8,p[]80 ,eddie said4 8,boy1 x mu/ h be5 a /rong isotope40 ,he knew t ! /r5g? ( radioisotopes c\ld be controll$ l>gely by ! l5g? ( "t !y 7 all[$ to 8cook0 9 an atomic reactor & soak up radioactivity4 8,we w]5't plann+ to run a subm>9e ) x10 8 fa!r said4 8,x wasn't t /rong4 ,/ill1 x doesn't take s v mu* radioactivity to make two ounces ( an isotope q p[]ful--& q deadly4 ,i only hope :oev] /ole x kn[s :at he's do+4 ,h[ev]1 ,i'm sure he does40 8,y mean he mu/ h be5 an atomic sci5ti/ himself80 ,eddie ask$4 8,let's j say he--or bo? ( !m--h en\gh tra9+ 9 ! subject to "k h[ to h&le t isotope safely10 ,mr4 ,taylor said4 8,b1 ,dad10 ,eddie wond]$1 8:at c\ld !y d ) x80 8,!y c\ld /udy x10 8 fa!r expla9$4 8,at lea/1 !y c\ld s5d x some:]e to be brok5 d[n & /udi$4 ,be+ a new isotope1 ! =mula is ( great value40 8,:at d y mean1 s5d x some:]e80 ,eddie ask$4 8,p]haps to "s o!r c\ntry40 8,!n--!n y mean :oev] /ole x 7 spies60 ,eddie exclaim$ brea?lessly4 8,t's entirely possible10 8 fa!r said4 8,9 fact1 x's ! only logical explanation ,i c ?9k (4 ,p simply don't g ar\nd /eal+ radioactive isotopes )\t a mighty important reason40 8,d9n]'s ready10 ,eddie's "m call$ f ! kit*54 ,dur+ d9n] ,eddie wasn't sure j :at he 0 eat+4 ,! idea ( spies /eal+ atomic mat]ials kept build+ up 9 8 m9d4 ,by ! "t dess]t 0 f9i%$1 he 0 anxi\s to talk ) someone1 yet he knew he %\ldn't bo!r 8 fa!r ) any m que/ions4 ,he ask$ if he c\ld g ov] & visit ) ,te5a = a :ile4 8,well1 y 7 toge!r mo/ ( ! day10 8 "m said1 8b ,i guess x's all "r4 ,be back 9 ab\t an h\r1 ?\gh40 ,x 0 a balmy ev5+4 ,on su* ev5+s1 he & ,te5a sometimes walk$ along ! bea* b>efoot1 collect+ sea %ells4 ,today ,eddie _h no desire to d t4 ,he ran d[n ! block4 ,te5a answ]$ 8 knock4 8,come on 91 ,eddie10 %e invit$1 seem+ surpris$ to see him4 8,"m & ,i are j f9i%+ d9n]40 8,oh1 ,i figur$ y'd be ?r\gh by n[10 ,eddie apologiz$1 foll[+ h] inside4 8,hello1 ,eddie10 ,mrs4 ,ross said1 b %e didn't seem z *e]ful z usual4 8,good ev5+1 ,mrs4 ,ross10 ,eddie said4 8,i--,i hope ,i'm n mak+ a pe/ ( myself40 ,he look$ ar\nd = ,mr4 ,ross1 b ,te5a's fa!r app>5tly hadn't arriv$ home f ,acme ,aircraft yet4 ,!re wasn't a place set = him at ! table1 ei!r4 8,y're nev] a pe/1 ,eddie10 ,mrs4 ,ross assur$ him4 8,i 0 go+ to call y\r "m 9 a little :ile ab\t t newspap] write-up40 8,oh1 y read x80 ,eddie said4 8,h[ c\ld anyone miss x80 ,te5a said4 8,"r on ! front page40 8,i suppose y\r fa!r is q conc]n$ ov] x10 ,te5a's "m said4 8,oh1 yes10 ,eddie affirm$4 8,he 0 ! "o :o ord]$ ! isotope40 8,:at's an isotope80 ,te5a ask$4 8,i'm n sure ,i "k1 ei!r10 ,mrs4 ,ross said4 8,maybe we c\ld und]/& m ( :at x's all ab\t if y c\ld expla9 :at a radioisotope is1 ,eddie40 8,well10 ,eddie said sl[ly1 8x's n easy to expla91 b ,i'll try4 ,y "k h[ r>e uranium is4 ,!re's n ne>ly en\gh ( x to fill all ! ne$s = radioactive mat]ials4 ,besides1 pure uranium is s p[]ful & exp5sive & dang]\s to h&le t x's n a v good idea to try us+ x 9 its true =m4 ,s !y build an atomic reactor l ! "o at ,drake ,ridge40 8,we've driv5 by x10 ,mrs4 ,ross said4 8,my1 x's a big place40 8,i'll say10 ,eddie agre$4 8,( c\rse1 only "o build+ holds ! reactor itself4 ,x's ! bigge/ build+ ne> ! c5t]40 8,i rememb] x10 ,te5a said4 8,well1 ! reactor is ab\t f\r /ories high10 ,eddie w5t on4 8,!y call x a uranium #8pile4' ,x's made up ( hundr$s & hundr$s ( graphite bricks4 ,t's :]e !y get ! "n #8pile'--f brick pile4 ,anyway1 scatt]$ ar\nd 9 betwe5 ! bricks are small bits ( uranium4 ,uranium atoms are radioactive4 ,t is1 !y keep splitt+ up & s5d+ out rays40 8,:y d !y d t80 ,te5a ask$4 8,x's j ! way nature made uranium1 ,i guess10 ,eddie said4 8,mo/ atoms /ay 9 "o piece1 al?\gh !y move ar\nd lickety-split all ( ! "t4 ,uranium atoms n only move ar\nd1 b !y break ap>t4 ,!y %oot out little p>ticles call$ neutrons4 ,^! neutrons hit o!r atoms & split !m ap>t1 s5d+ out m neutrons4 ,x's a regul> *a9 reaction40 8,i've he>d ( *a9 reactions10 ,mrs4 ,ross said4 8,well1 ) all ( ! splitt+ up & mov+ ar\nd ( ! uranium atoms10 ,eddie w5t on1 8an awful lot ( heat builds up4 ,if !y don't control x--well1 y've se5 pictures ( atomic-bomb explosions4 ,t's a *a9 reaction out ( control40 8,out ( control is "r10 ,te5a said4 8,b ! atomic piles control ! reaction10 ,eddie said4 8,! graphite bricks keep ! splitt+-up atoms ap>t s "o neutron won't g sma%+ into o!r atoms unless !y want x to4 ,!y h ways ( controll+ x s t only z mu* radiation builds up z !y want4 ,y c ev5 he> ! reactor hum z ! radioactive rays g te>+ ?r\gh x4 ,b by c>eful t5d+1 ! sci5ti/s keep ! atomic collisions f> en\gh ap>t s ! ?+ doesn't bl[ up40 8,boy1 t s\nds dang]\s10 ,te5a said4 8,well1 !y "k j h[ to d x10 ,eddie repli$4 8,ar5't ! rays dang]\s80 ,mrs4 ,ross ask$4 8,i'll say !y're dang]\s10 ,eddie said4 8,b ! :ole pile is cov]$ by a %ield ( concrete ab\t eight feet ?ick4 ,t keeps ! rays f gett+ out & injur+ ! workm540 8,goodness4 ,eight feet is a lot ( cem5t40 8,x takes a lot to /op radioactive atomic p>ticles10 ,eddie expla9$4 8,especially ! gamma rays4 ,!y're ! fa/e/ & mo/ dang]\s1 & ! h>de/ to /op4 ,alpha & beta rays are fairly easy to /op4 ,b ! gamma rays are regul> high-velocity invisible bullets4 ,!y'll g "r ?r\gh a /one wall unless x's pl5ty ?ick4 ,( c\rse1 y c't see !m4 ,n ) ev5 ! mo/ p[]ful microscope 9 ! _w40 8,i w\ldn't want to "w ar\nd a place :]e ,i might get %ot at by--by dang]\s rays y c't ev5 see10 ,te5a said4 8,i w\ld10 ,eddie said4 8,ev]yone is c>efully protect$4 ,!y see to t4 ,well1 anyway1 if all ( ^? uranium atoms 7 %oot+ radioactive rays ar\nd inside ( t pile & do+ no?+1 !re w\ld be an awful lot ( en]gy go+ to wa/e4 ,s ! atomic sci5ti/s take c]ta9 elem5ts :i* ar5't radioactive1 b c be made radioactive1 & %ove small pieces ( !m into holes drill$ 9 ! pile40 8,isn't t dang]\s80 ,te5a ask$4 8,!y don't %ove !m 9 ) _! b>e h&s10 ,eddie said1 try+ n to %[ exasp]ation4 8,!y use long hold]s to pu% ! small *unks ( mat]ial into ! holes 9 ! reactor4 ,!n1 z ^? uranium atoms keep splitt+ up & %oot+ p>ticles ar\nd inside ( ! pile1 "s ( !m smack into ! *unks ( mat]ial1 & /ick !re4 ,mo/ elem5ts w soak up radiation1 j l a sponge soaks up wat]40 8,my1 t's int]e/+1 ,eddie10 ,mrs4 ,ross said4 8,i've se5 !m d x10 ,eddie said pr\dly1 !n add$1 8f beh9d a protective %ield1 ( c\rse4 ,:5 ! mat]ial has soak$ up en\gh radiation1 !y pull x back out4 ,!y say x's #8cook$4'0 8,y mean x's hot80 ,te5a ask$4 8,x's hot10 ,eddie said1 8b n l if x came out ( a /ove4 ,by hot1 !y mean x's radioactive4 ,if y t\*$ x1 or ev5 got ne> x1 y w\ld get burn$1 b y probably w\ldn't ev5 "k x = a :ile4 ,x w\ld be a radiation burn4 ,t's a k9d ( burn y don't feel1 b x de/roys y\r blood cells & tissues1 &--well1 y've _h x40 8,s t's :at a radioisotope is10 ,mrs4 ,ross said4 8,x's l a sponge4 ,only in/ead ( soak+ up wat]1 x soaks up radiation40 8,t's ab\t x10 ,eddie said4 8,my dad says t z m is le>n$ ab\t ! ways to use isotopes1 ! :ole _w is go+ to be improv$4 ,y've he>d ( radiocobalt = cur+ canc]4 ,well1 t's an isotope4 ,!y make x by cook+ cobalt 9 an atomic reactor4 ,oh1 !re are hundr$s ( diff]5t isotopes4 ,l ,i said1 isotopes c be made ( mo/ ( ! elem5ts4 ,& !re are ov] a hundr$ elem5ts4 ,"s soak up a lot ( radioactivity1 & are /rong & dang]\s4 ,o!rs absorb only a little & are pretty safe to use4 ,dep5ds1 too1 on h[ long !y let !m cook 9 ! reactor40 8,:at k9d 0 ! "o /ol5 f ! college today80 ,te5a ask$4 8,dad didn't say exactly10 ,eddie answ]$1 8except he did say t if :oev] took x didn't "k :at he 0 do+ & op5$ up ! lead capsule1 x c\ld kill him4 ,( c\rse1 ev5 ! mild isotopes are deadly if !y're n h&l$ "r40 8,my goodness1 x is a s]i\s matt]1 isn't x80 ,mrs4 ,ross said4 ,eddie nodd$4 ,x 0 ev5 m s]i\s ?an its ?reat ( dang] to anyone :o h&l$ x c>elessly4 ,x 0 a new isotope--a secret isotope4 ,8 fa!r hadn't said :e!r x _h be5 develop$ = cur+ ?+s or = de/roy+ ?+s4 ,b _m radioisotopes c\ld d ei!r2 x dep5d$ on h[ !y 7 us$4 ,eddie assum$ t anyone :o w\ld /oop to /eal+ isotopes m ?an likely w\ld be int]e/$ 9 _! ability to de/roy r ?an _! ability to b5efit mank9d4 8,well1 ,i c]ta9ly d hope ev]y?+ works out all "r10 ,te5a's "m said4 8,s d ,i10 ,te5a agre$4 ,eddie glanc$ at ! kit*5 clock4 8,oh1 boy10 he said1 8,i'd bett] be head+ back home4 ,i didn't mean to come ov] "h & talk s long40 8,oh1 we're glad y did1 ,eddie10 ,mrs4 ,ross said4 8,i'm afraid too few ( u "k any?+ ab\t ?is atom bus9ess40 8,t's "r1 ,mrs4 ,ross10 ,eddie agre$4 8,p %\ld talk m & read m ab\t x4 ,aft] all1 ?is is an atomic age4 ,we might z well face x4 ,my fa!r says t 9 horse-&-buggy days ev]yone knew h[ to fe$ a horse & grease a wagon :eel4 ,!y knew :at 0 ne$$ to get ! "w done4 ,b n[ t atoms are be+ h>ness$ to d ! "w1 n _m p ev5 bo!r to f9d out :at an atom is40 ,mrs4 ,ross smil$4 8,i guess y're "r1 ,eddie10 %e said1 8b ,i w\ldn't q "k h[ to g ab\t fe$+ an atom40 8,or greas+ "o10 ,te5a add$4 ,eddie laugh$4 8,i sure w\ldn't want ! job ( try+ to fe$ a h]d ( !m ! size ( a p]iod10 he said4 8,did y "k t !re are ab\t ?ree million billion atoms ( c>bon 9 a s+le p]iod pr9t$ at ! end ( a s5t5ce4 ,t's h[ small atoms are40 8,?ree million billion is a lot ( some?+10 a man's voice spoke beh9d him4 8,:at are we talk+ ab\t1 ,eddie80 8,oh1 hello1 ,mr4 ,ross10 ,eddie said1 turn+ ar\nd & /&+ up4 8,i didn't he> y come 940 ,te5a's fa!r 0 a m$ium-siz$ man ) light-br[n hair :i* 0 gett+ some:at ?9 on top4 ,he 0 usually q *e]ful & full ( fun1 b tonight 8 face seem$ unusually drawn & sob]4 ,he /epp$ to ! table1 lean$ ov]1 & gave bo? ,te5a & ,mrs4 ,ross a kiss on ! *eek4 8,eddie 0 tell+ u ab\t atoms10 ,te5a's "m said4 8,did y "k !re 7 ?ree million billion ( !m 9 a p]iod80 8,h[ _m 9 a comma80 ,mr4 ,ross said to ,eddie1 !n add$ quickly1 8=get x1 ,eddie4 ,x wasn't v funny4 ,i--,i'm afraid ,i don't feel v funny tonight40 8,sit d[n1 de>10 ,mrs4 ,ross said4 8,i'll w>m y\r d9n]4 ,y didn't s\nd v *e]ful :5 y call$ to say y w\ld be late4 ,h[ did ev]y?+ g at ! plant today80 8,n s good10 ,te5a's fa!r said tir$ly4 8,9 fact1 n good at all40 ,problems4 ,x seem$ t ev]yone _h problems1 ,eddie ?\ght1 z he />t$ to leave4 ,,*apt] ,,?ree ,?ree days lat] ,eddie le>n$ ! nature ( ! tr\ble at ,acme ,aircraft ,company4 ,x 0 midmorn+ ,saturday4 ,c>ry+ a picnic lun*1 he & ,te5a 7 hik+ along ! bea* t[>d ! di/ant ,u4,s4 ,coa/ ,gu>d ligh?\se :i* /ood on a high po9t ov]look+ ,moon ,bay4 ,old ,capta9 ,daniels1 ! lightkeep]1 _h be5 a fri5d ( !irs = ne>ly two ye>s4 ,e once 9 a :ile ,te5a & ,eddie w5t to visit 8,cap10 z !y fondly call$ him4 ,te5a w\ld put up a picnic lun* :i* !y %>$ ) ! k9dly old man ^: lonely vigil ov] ! light _h w>n$ %ips (f ! rocky coa/ = a good _m ye>s4 ,eddie wasn't sure exactly h[ ! conv]sation got ar\nd to ,acme ,aircraft ,company4 ,x seem$ t ,te5a m5tion$ some?+ ab\t tr\ble4 ,eddie ask$1 8,:at tr\ble80 8,didn't y read ! pap] ?is morn+80 ,te5a ask$4 8,we don't take ! morn+ pap]10 ,eddie said4 8,we take ! ,globe40 8,! aircraft company has be5 keep+ x quiet10 ,te5a said1 8b someh[ ! news leak$ out4 ,x 0 all 9 ?is morn+'s pap]40 ,actually1 ,eddie d\bt$ t he w\ld h notic$ x1 ev5 if !y _h tak5 ! morn+ pap]4 ,! big ?+ ar\nd 8 h\se 0 ! disappe>ance ( ! radioisotope4 ,no promis+ clues _h be5 f\nd4 ,! !ft ( ! isotope rema9$ z mu* a my/]y z x _h be5 f ! fir/ day4 ,! few times he _h se5 8 fa!r1 he _h notic$ h[ mu* deep] ! l9es ( worry on 8 face _h become4 ,eddie _h avoid$ ask+ que/ions1 yet he c\ldn't help wond]+ if 8 fa!r 0 9 dang] ( los+ 8 job at ! college4 ,"s ( ! ?+s 8 "m _h said seem$ to h9t at ! possibility4 ,! newspap]s _h tak5 a dim view ( ! robb]y4 ,!y prote/$ aga9/ ! c>elessness :i* w\ld enable ! !ft1 9 broad daylight1 ( su* a valuable1 secret1 & haz>d\s ?+ z a radioactive isotope4 ,! blame1 ( c\rse1 fell prim>ily ^u ,mr4 ,taylor's %\ld]s4 8,eddie10 ,te5a said1 8y're n ev5 li/5+ to me40 8,i--,i'm sorry10 ,eddie answ]$4 8,:at did y say80 8,i m]ely said t "s important bluepr9ts are miss+ f my fa!r's dep>tm5t at ,acme ,aircraft10 ,te5a expla9$4 8,maybe someone put !m 9 ! wrong draw] or some?+10 ,eddie sugge/$4 8,!y've look$ ev]y:]e1 ,eddie10 ,te5a said4 8,t's :y my fa!r's be5 gett+ home late e day4 ,!y've se>*$ absolutely ev]y:]e40 8,well1 ,i guess !y c always make new bluepr9ts10 ,eddie said4 ,he really c\ldn't see :y x 0 s important1 especially n if y comp>$ x to /ol5 radioisotopes4 8,t's n ! po9t10 ,te5a said %>ply4 8,!y 7 top-secret bluepr9ts--some?+ to d ) guid+ a new missile ,acme ,aircraft is gett+ ready to make4 ,if ! plans 7 /ol5--well1 y "k :at t c\ld mean40 ,! importance ( :at ,te5a 0 say+ /ruck ,eddie sudd5ly4 ,c\ld !re be any connection betwe5 ! miss+ bluepr9ts & ! /ol5 isotope8 ,! idea s5t a *ill along ,eddie's sp9e4 ,p]haps !re 0 a :ole spy r+ op]at+ ar\nd ,oceanview6 ,he m5tion$ x to ,te5a4 8,i ?\ght ! same ?+10 %e said4 8,b1 ,eddie1 we're n at w> or any?+4 ,x's silly to ?9k !re are spies & ?+s l t runn+ ar\nd4 ,t's comic-book /uff40 8,n to me1 x isn't10 ,eddie said4 8,!re's pl5ty ( spy+ go+ on1 w> or no w>4 ,e once 9 a :ile y he> ab\t x40 8,aw1 y're j try+ to sc>e me10 ,te5a said4 ,%e /opp$ & pick$ up a %ell1 look$ x ov]1 !n skipp$ x into ! surf4 ,s&y *as$ x1 yipp+ happily1 b turn$ & scurri$ back j ahead ( ! foam+ surf4 ,eddie smil$4 8,maybe ,i am10 he said4 8,maybe ,i'm sc>+ myself1 too4 ,anyway1 if we're go+ to hike all ! way to ! ligh?\se1 we'll h to hurry up40 ,z !y walk$ on up ! coa/1 ! s&y bea* gave way to rock =mations :i* jutt$ out into ! ocean4 ,!y pick$ _! way c>efully ov] ! rocks4 ,n[ & !n !y /opp$ to inspect "s tide pool = small crabs & o!r sea life left by ! rec$+ wat]4 ,s&y 0 beside himself ) joy z he *as$ small crabs into rock crevices4 ,te5a f\nd a />fi% :i* %e dropp$ into a small clo? sack %e _h br\ght along4 ,eddie _h nev] be5 v int]e/$ 9 ga!r+ %ells & o!r sea s\v5irs1 b ,te5a _h q a collection at home4 ,!y cross$ ov] ! rocks & dropp$ d[n into a s&y cove4 8,!re's someone ) a boat10 ,te5a said1 po9t+ along ! curv+ bea*4 ,a r[boat 0 pull$ up on ! s&4 ,two m5 /ood beside x4 8,fi%]m510 ,eddie said4 8,let's see if !y caught any?+40 ,!re 7 sev]al o!r small boats out on ,moon ,bay4 ,eddie & 8 fa!r _h fi%$ ! bay sev]al times !mselves4 ,al?\gh %all[ 9 places1 !re 7 spots 9 ! bay :]e good-siz$ p]* & bass1 & occasional halibut 7 caught4 ,eddie & ,te5a hurri$ along ! bea*4 ,! two m5 look$ up z !y approa*$4 8,hi1 !re10 ,eddie greet$4 8,any luck80 ,! two m5 glanc$ at ea* o!r1 seem+ to pass a sil5t "q back & =?4 ,eddie laugh$4 8,x's ,o4,k410 he said4 8,i "k mo/ ( ! fi%+ spots out !re4 ,y won't be giv+ away any secrets40 ,illu/ration3 8,hi1 !re10 ,eddie greet$4 8,any luck80 8,secrets80 "o ( ! m5 said4 ,he 0 tall & ?94 ,8 *eekbones pu%$ %>ply outw>d aga9/ ! sides ( 8 face4 ,8 sk9 0 /rangely :ite = t ( a fi%]man 9 midsumm]4 ,mo/ week-end fi%]m5 ar\nd ,oceanview _h pretty good tans by ?is "t4 ,bo? m5 wore fad$ blue d5ims1 :ite sneak]s1 & bright-color$ sports %irts4 ,! fact t _! clo!s look$ new made ,eddie ?9k x might be ! fir/ "t !y _h fi%$ ,moon ,bay4 ,! orange-&-:ite r[boat pull$ up on ! s& _h be5 r5t$ f ,&]son's ,l&+4 ,bo? ,eddie & ,te5a knew ,mr4 ,&]son well4 8,we "k fi%]m5 don't l to give away _! fi%+ secrets10 ,te5a said1 8s if y caught any1 y don't ne$ to tell u :]e y got !m40 ,! o!r man smil$ !n4 ,he look$ reliev$1 ,eddie ?\ght4 ,9 appe>ance1 he 0 almo/ ! opposite ( 8 companion4 ,he 0 %ort & squat1 almo/ fat4 ,despite ! slight cool breeze f ! ocean1 ! w>m sun made 8 *ubby face gli/5 ) sweat4 ,he seem$ a little m will+ to smile ?an ! tall man4 ,eddie didn't feel uncom=table "u 8 gaze1 z he did "u ! />e ( ! tall man4 8,to tell y ! tru?10 ! %ort man said1 8we hav5't be5 fi%+ yet4 ,s ,i guess y c\ldn't say we've _h any luck40 8,oh1 ,i see10 ,eddie said ?\ghtfully4 ,s&y began sniff+ ar\nd ! r[boat4 8,get t mutt away f !re10 ! tall man said4 8,he won't hurt any?+1 mi/]10 ,eddie assur$ him4 ,he w5t ov]1 ?\gh1 & took hold ( ,s&y's coll>4 ,z he did s he glanc$ into ! bea*$ r[boat4 ,!re 7 no fi%1 or ev5 signs ( fi%4 ,!re 7 a c\ple bamboo poles :i* ,eddie recogniz$ also z hav+ be5 r5t$ f ,&]son's ,l&+4 ,!re 0 a box1 probably ! m5's lun*4 ,& "u ! plank seat /ret*+ across ! beam ,eddie saw a r\nd metal cyl9d]4 ,at fir/ he ?\ght x 0 ! k9d ( tube us$ z a c>ry+ case to hold ! sections ( a jo9t$ tr\t rod1 b z he got a bett] look1 x didn't seem long en\gh = t4 ,besides1 :o w\ld use a light tr\t rod = ocean fi%+8 ,x w\ldn't be any good to cat* ! big bass :i* 7 sometimes caught 9 ! bay4 ,x'd probably snap 9 two if y tri$ to horse a halibut 9 ) x4 8,:at are y look+ at1 kid80 ,! tall man's h>% voice j]k$ ,eddie out ( 8 ?\ghts4 8,n-no?9'10 ,eddie said4 8,!n /ay away f ! boat40 8,take x easy1 ,simms10 ! %ort man said4 8,^! kids don't mean any h>m4 ,!y--!y're n try+ to /eal our fi%+ secrets4 ,n[1 are y80 ,he smil$ at ,te5a1 display+ a m\?ful ( yell[i% unev5 tee?4 ,look+ at ^? tee? made ,eddie mighty glad 8 tee? w\ld nev] look l t4 ,:at little bo!r 8 braces & ! clean+ 7 w\ld sure be wor? x 9 ! long run4 ,he nev] want$ yell[1 unev5 tee? l t man _h4 8,i %\ld say we w\ldn't try to /eal any fi%+ secrets10 ,te5a answ]$ ! fat man's "q4 8,y're welcome to all ! fi% y c cat*40 8,we don't c>e h[ y cat* !m1 or :at )10 ,eddie add$1 8long z x's legal40 8,anyway1 we're on our way to visit ,capta9 ,daniels at ! ligh?\se10 ,te5a said4 8,come on1 ,eddie40 8,don't g away mad10 ! heavy-set man said4 8,we didn't mean any h>m40 8,let 'em g1 ,roy10 ,simms said4 8,we've got "w to d40 ,eddie motion$ to ,te5a & call$ ,s&y4 ,he _h int5d$ to tell ! m5 ( a good fi%+ spot only a few hundr$ y>ds out f ! cove1 b ! way ! m5 act$ made him *ange 8 m9d4 ,at ! f> end ( ! cove1 ,eddie & ,te5a /opp$ & turn$ to wat* ! two m5 z !y %ov$ ! r[boat into ! calm surf & climb$ 9 clumsily ov] ! side4 8,boy1 ,i'm glad all fi%]m5 ar5't l t10 ,te5a said4 8,t tall man sure act$ mean4 ,i hope !y don't cat* any fi%40 8,i don't ?9k !y w10 ,eddie said4 8,i saw _! bait c4 ,"k :at !y're us+80 8,s& crabs80 8,no4 ,t's :at !y %\ld be us+4 ,!y _h "s old dri$ up mussels4 ,! fi% "h 9 ,moon ,bay don't bite on mussel4 ,dad & ,i h tri$ x40 8,!n ,i wond] :y ,mr4 ,&]son sold x to !m10 ,te5a said4 8,mr4 ,&]son usually helps ! fi%]m54 ,x's good = 8 boat-r5tal bus9ess to sell ! "r bait40 8,i'll bet !y didn't ev5 ask :at k9d ( bait 0 be/10 ,eddie said4 8,!y probably grabb$ ! fir/ ?+ !y came to4 ,& ,mr4 ,&]son always has a few mussels 9 8 bait b9s40 8,i didn't ?9k fi%+ 0 s good 9 ! middle ( ! day10 ,te5a said4 ,%e po9t$ out across ! wat]4 8,see1 mo/ ( ! boats h gone a%ore40 8,t's "r10 ,eddie said4 8,if ^? guys want$ to cat* fi% !y %\ld h be5 out !re e>ly ?is morn+ :5 ! big ones 7 bit+40 8,guess !y don't "k mu* ab\t fi%+1 huh1 ,eddie80 ,te5a said1 smil+4 8,t's :at ,i figure10 ,eddie agre$4 8,besides1 !y didn't ev5 act l fi%]m54 ,t tall fell[ really 0 a gr\*4 ,fir/ "t ,i ev] ran across a gr\*y fi%]man40 8,anyway1 let's quit worry+ ab\t !m10 ,te5a sugge/$4 8,x's almo/ noon4 ,we want to rea* ! ligh?\se be=e ,cap has lun*4 ,he c't v well eat 8 lun* & ours1 too40 8,o4,k410 ,eddie agre$1 tak+ "o la/ glance at ! two m5 r[+ out on ! blue wat] ( ! bay4 8,b some?+ smells fi%y ab\t ^? two--& ,i don't mean ! k9d y cat* on a hook60 ,,*apt] ,,f\r ,! ligh?\se 0 a tall concrete f+]1 pa9t$ dazzl+ :ite ) broad r$ r+s ar\nd x4 ,x /ood on ! top ( a rock palisade :i* rose /eeply f ! bea*4 ,/eel /airs spiral$ upw>d on ! outside1 lead+ to ! /rong glass-enclos$ electric eye at ! top4 ,eddie & ,te5a paus$ on ! bea* bel[ & look$ up4 ,crude /eps hewn out ( ! rocks l$ up to ! ligh?\se4 8,i'll c>ry ! lun*10 ,eddie volunte]$4 8,& be c>eful4 ,! sea spray c make ^? /eps slipp]y40 ,!y took _! "t gett+ to ! top4 ,s&y w5t ahead1 sniff+ 9 e crevice on ! way4 8,phew60 ,te5a gasp$ z !y rea*$ ! base ( ! ligh?\se4 8,!re seem to be m /eps e "t we climb x40 ,eddie smil$ & %ift$ ! lun* sack to 8 o!r h&4 8,y're gett+ old1 ,te5a10 he teas$4 8,welcome abo>d1 mates10 a deep1 k9dly voice spoke f ne>by4 ,!y turn$ & saw ,capta9 ,daniels /&+ outside ! door ( 8 liv+ qu>t]s1 a t9y ?ree-room cottage locat$ ab\t fifty feet f ! base ( ! ligh?\se4 8,oh1 hello1 ,capta9 ,daniels10 ,te5a call$4 8,sure glad y're home40 8,home80 ! =m] sea capta9 said1 smil+4 8,a lightkeep] is always home40 ,9 ,eddie's op9ion1 ,capta9 ,daniels look$ exactly l an old %ip's capta9 or a lightkeep] %\ld look4 ,he wore a fr+e ( :ite be>d :i* =m$ a half-circle1 />t+ "u "o e> & curv+ across 8 *9 & up ! o!r side4 ,8 bu%y :ite hair fairly explod$ f b5ea? ! batt]$ d>k-blue seaman's cap :i* he wore ev5 :ile eat+4 ,eddie sometimes wond]$ if ,capta9 ,daniels wore ! cap to b$4 ,! old m>9] also _h %>p blue eyes4 ,eddie pictur$ all /\t seam5 z hav+ %>p blue eyes4 8,we br\ght a little lun* ) u1 ,capta9 ,daniels10 ,te5a said4 8,hope y hav5't eat5 already40 ,a tw9kle came into ,cap's eyes4 8,i might h10 he said1 8b ,i reckon ,i bett] confess t ,i saw y ?r\gh my telescope com+ up ! bea*4 ,?\ght ,i'd bett] hold (f on lun*--j 9 case40 8,c we eat outside80 ,te5a ask$4 8,! lawn's nice & dry10 ,cap said4 8,let's make x a picnic10 ,eddie sugge/$4 8,good idea1 mate10 ! retir$ seaf>] said4 ,capta9 ,daniels took great pride 9 8 small pat* ( grass4 ,x seem$ to gr[ "r out ( ! rock on :i* ! ligh?\se /ood4 ,h[ev]1 ,capta9 ,daniels _h haul$ 9 topsoil f miles away & spread x c>efully to make ! lawn4 ,he t5d$ x1 & ! fl[] b$s :i* bord]$ x1 ) an affection t seem$ /rangely out ( place = a swa%buckl+ %ip's capta9 :o _h roam$ ! sev5 seas4 ,! ?ree ( !m sat d[n on ! lawn4 ,te5a pass$ ar\nd ! s&wi*es1 op5$ ! potato *ips1 & unwrapp$ ! pickles & olives4 ,!y ate = a :ile 9 sil5ce1 look+ (f across ! blue wat] ( ! bay t[>d ! op5 ocean beyond4 ,eddie's gaze foll[$ ! curv+ %ore l9e to ! nor?4 ,l&'s end 9 t direction 0 ,c$> ,po9t1 :i* /uck its rocky f+] out into ! ocean4 ,x 0 wildly rugg$ c\ntry1 difficult to get to except by boat across ! bay4 ,eddie suppos$ t 0 :y ! ligh?\se _h be5 built on ! small] po9t locat$ on ! m civiliz$ curve ( ! bay4 ,yet ! ligh?\se 0 high & pla9ly visible to %ips at sea4 ,capta9 ,daniels f9i%$ 8 lun*1 dug a pipe f 8 pocket1 & tamp$ tobacco into ! b[l4 8,mighty good10 he said4 8,sure nice ( y "y folks to %>e y\r rations ) me40 8,oh1 we l to d x1 ,capta9 ,daniels10 ,te5a said4 8,x's s mu* fun com+ up "h to visit y40 8,f :at ,i've be5 read+ 9 ! pap]s10 ! lightkeep] said1 8,i h>dly expect$ to see y = a :ile40 8,y mean ! /ol5 isotope80 ,eddie ask$4 8,i don't "k mu* ab\t isotopes10 ,cap said1 8b ,i d "k t ! newspap]s h be5 mak+ y\r fa!r walk ! plank = lett+ x be /ol540 8,x really wasn't 8 fault10 ,eddie def5d$4 8,( c\rse n10 ,capta9 ,daniels agre$4 8,b someone always gets blam$4 ,j l ^? miss+ bluepr9ts ,i read ab\t 9 ?is morn+'s pap]4 ,te5a's fa!r probably has no?+ to d ) gu>d+ !m1 b :5 !y turn up miss+1 he's ! "o :o gets la%$ to ! ma/4 ,! capta9 ( a %ip takes ! blame = ev]y?+ t happ5s abo>d4 ,actually1 t's ! way x %\ld be1 ,i suppose40 ,eddie _h to agree1 b he didn't l to ?9k ab\t ! worry 8 fa!r & ,mr4 ,ross 7 go+ ?r\gh4 ,he _h be5 try+ n to ?9k ab\t x4 ,capta9 ,daniels seem$ to s5se ?is4 ,he quickly *ang$ ! subject4 8,don't seem to be _m fi%]m5 out today10 he said1 look+ (f across ! bay4 8,& !re's "o boat out !re t c\ld j z well h /ay$ a%ore4 ,won't cat* any?+ wor? fry+ out !re on top ( ! s& b>40 ,! r[boat _h be5 an*or$ ov] ! light-blue /rip ( wat] :i* m>k$ ! famili> s& b> /ret*+ ne>ly a half mile across ! middle ( ! bay4 ,! s& b> lay ab\t t5 feet b5ea? ! surface ( ! wat]4 ,x 0 m>k$ by ?ree buoys1 "o at ea* end & "o 9 ! middle4 ,deep-draft boats avoid$ ! s& b>4 ,fi%]m5 kept away f x1 z ! l>g] fi% lay 9 deep] wat]4 8,isn't t ! boat ) ^? two m51 ,eddie80 ,te5a ask$4 8,i ?9k s10 ,eddie said1 squ9t+ ?r\gh ! sunlight4 8,:at two m580 ,cap ask$4 ,quickly ,eddie told him ab\t ! two /rang]s he & ,te5a _h come across at ! cove4 ,capta9 ,daniels rea*$ into 8 pocket & br\ght out a small telescope4 ,he pull$ its sections out to full l5g? & h&$ x to ,eddie4 8,see = y\rself10 he invit$4 ,eddie adju/$ ! l5s to 8 vision4 ,) ! telescope x 0 easy to see t ! two m5 9 ! r[boat 7 ! tall "o call$ ,simms & ! *unky "o call$ ,roy4 8,anyway10 ,eddie said1 8!y don't seem to be pull+ 9 any fi%40 ,he pass$ ! telescope to ,te5a4 8,x doesn't look l !y're ev5 try+10 ,te5a said4 8,!re's only "o l9e 940 8,maybe !y're j relax+10 ,capta9 ,daniels said4 8,"s p don't c>e :e!r !y cat* any fi% or n4 ,!y r5t a boat1 r[ x out & an*or x1 & !n sit ar\nd soo?+ _! n]ves4 ,p build up a lot ( t5sions ^! days1 y "k4 ,folks h diff]5t ways ( gett+ rid ( !m40 8,!y 7 n]v\s1 all "r10 ,te5a said4 8,especially ! tall "o40 ,%e h&$ ! telescope back to ,capta9 ,daniels4 8,well1 let's =get ab\t !m10 ,eddie sugge/$4 8,capta9 ,daniels1 w\ld y l u to help poli% ! light aga9 today80 8,y "k y're always welcome to help ) t10 ! lightkeep] said1 8b ,i don't want y com+ up "h ?9k+ ,i expect y to "w40 8,oh1 b t isn't "w10 ,te5a said4 8,x's fun40 ,eddie agre$ ) t4 ,n only 0 x fun1 b x 0 a great ?rill to climb up to ! top ( ! ligh?\se4 ,capta9 ,daniels got "s rags & a c ( w9d[ clean] out ( a small tool %$ at ! foot ( ! ligh?\se4 8,:y don't y let u d x today1 ,capta9 ,daniels80 ,te5a ask$4 8,no use 9 y\r climb+ all ( ^? /airs40 8,y w910 ! lightkeep] said1 smil+4 8,i'll wait d[n "h40 ,eddie & ,te5a took ! rags & clean] & />t$ up ! /eel /airs :i* spiral$ up ! outside to ! top ( ! ligh?\se4 ,! /airs 7 p]fectly safe1 z a wai/-high rail+ prev5t$ any possibility ( an accid5t4 ,rea*+ ! top1 !y paus$ on ! n>r[ /eel balcony t circl$ ! light4 ,! view across ! bay 0 spectacul>--blue wat] & :itecaps z f> z !y c\ld see4 ,a c\ple ( /eam]s dragg$ bann]s ( smoke across ! di/ant horizon4 ,9 ! o!r direction !y saw ,oceanview sprawl+ out inl& f ! %ore ( ! bay4 ,bo? ,acme ,aircraft ,company & ! college campus 7 9 pla9 view4 ,aft] fill+ !mselves ) ! view1 !y got busy on ! light4 ,x 0 l poli%+ a giant lant]n *imney4 ,x _h ?ick1 wavy glass to magnify ! beam ( ! enorm\s electric lamp :i* rotat$ inside1 mak+ ?ree complete turns a m9ute4 ,be+ daytime1 ! light 0 turn$ (f4 ,9 fact1 ,eddie nev] _h se5 ! light up close at night4 ,he imag9$ x w\ld be v bl9d+1 al?\gh he d\bt$ if anyone ev] w\ld be fooli% en\gh to climb up & look into x4 ,x 0 bright en\gh1 ev5 f a di/ance1 z x swept its :ite w>n+ f+] ?r\gh ! sky4 ,he & ,te5a work$ away at spread+ ! w9d[ clean]4 ,aft] x _h dri$ on ! ?ick glass1 !y w5t ov] x c>efully ) _! s(t rags4 ,! dirt & ! :ite deposit left f ! salt spray came (f easily1 leav+ ! glass bright z cry/al4 8,i guess t's x10 ,eddie said1 aft] !y _h made a complete circle ( ! glass4 ,he paus$ to take "o la/ look ar\nd4 8,we'd bett] be gett+ back home1 too10 ,te5a sugge/$4 8,x mu/ be ?ree o'clock40 ,eddie glanc$ up at ! sun4 8,y're ab\t "r10 he said4 ,!y made _! way back d[n ! /airs4 ,cap 0 wait+ at ! bottom4 8,x's z bright z ! nor!rn />1 mates10 he said1 cran+ 8 neck to get a good look at _! h&iwork4 8,i sure d ?ank y bo?40 8,we're ! ones to ?ank y = lett+ u come out "h to visit y1 ,capta9 ,daniels10 ,eddie said4 8,any "t10 ! old m>9] invit$4 8,y're always welcome4 ,& ,i don't expect y to br+ a lun* or poli% ! light1 ei!r40 8,we h to g n[10 ,te5a said4 8,b we'll come out to see y aga9 be=e long4 ,come on1 ,s&y40 8,i'll be look+ = y10 ,capta9 ,daniels call$ aft] !m1 z !y />t$ d[n ! rock /eps t[>d ! bea*4 ,lat]1 :5 !y rea*$ ! cove !y notic$ t ! r[boat 0 no long] an*or$ out ov] ! s& b>4 ,!n ,eddie saw x 9 close to %ore1 head+ = ,&]son's ,l&+4 ,he didn't give x any m ?\ght4 ,z !y approa*$ ,&]son's ,l&+1 ! two /rang]s 7 ty+ up at ! dock4 8,let's see if !y caught any?+10 ,eddie sugge/$4 8,let's n10 ,te5a object$4 8,!y w]5't v nice to u40 8,!y didn't mean any?+10 ,eddie said4 8,maybe someone %\ld tell !m t ! fi%+ is no good ov] ! s& b>40 8,i'll bet !y f\nd t out = !mselves10 ,te5a said4 ,b ,eddie already _h />t$ walk+ out onto ! plank boat dock4 ,te5a foll[$4 8,"h1 mi/]1 ,i'll help y10 ,eddie (f]$ z ! heavy-set man remov$ ! o>s f ! o>locks & mov$ t[>d ! pr[ ( ! boat4 8,o4,k410 ! man said1 try+ to keep 8 balance 9 ! rock+ boat4 ,!n he glanc$ up4 8,hey1 y're ! kids we saw e>li]1 ar5't y8 ,y foll[+ u or some?+80 8,no1 sir10 ,eddie said4 8,we 7 on our way home4 ,j ?\ght we'd come out & see :at k9d ( luck y _h40 8,we did all "r1 didn't we1 ,roy80 ! tall man said4 8,b :]e are y\r fi%80 ,te5a ask$4 8,we left !m 9 ! bay10 ,roy1 ! portly man1 said4 8,i guess s10 ,eddie said1 smil+4 8,no "o ev] cat*es any fi% out ov] ! s& b>4 ,! fi% hang ar\nd 9 ! deep] wat]40 8,well1 we don't c>e mu* = fi%1 anyway10 ,roy said4 8,!n :y d y g fi%+80 ,te5a wond]$4 8,we d x to get away f kids :o ask silly que/ions10 ,simms said curtly4 8,n[ beat x & leave u alone40 ,he toss$ ! two fi%+ poles onto ! dock & climb$ out ( ! boat4 8,sure1 mi/]10 ,eddie said4 8,we didn't mean to bo!r y40 8,don't get sore1 kids10 ,roy said4 8,simms is a little sunburn$1 t's all4 ,makes him cranky40 ,! tall man 0 sunburn$1 all "r4 ,eddie _h notic$ t4 ,b !n1 he _h expect$ x4 ,nei!r man boa/$ any k9d ( a tan1 & ! sun _h be5 hot all aft]noon4 ,eddie also _h notic$ some?+ else4 ,x /ruck him z /range1 al?\gh he didn't "k :at to make ( x4 ,! metal tube :i* he _h notic$ 9 ! bottom ( ! boat :5 !y _h fir/ met ! m5 9 ! cove 0 no long] 9 sight4 ,if x _h conta9$ a collapsible fi%+ rod z he _h guess$1 :y wasn't x /ill !re 9 ! bottom ( ! boat8 ,eddie 0 c]ta9 ! m5 hadn't put 9 to %ore betwe5 ! "t !y _h left ! cove & n[4 ,if !y _h he & ,te5a w\ld h notic$ x f ! ligh?\se4 ,a metal tube l ! "o ,eddie _h se5 e>li] 9 ! bottom ( ! r[boat simply w\ld n disappe>4 ,p]haps x hadn't conta9$ a collapsible fi%+ rod1 z he _h guess$4 ,if n1 :at 0 9 ! cyl9d]8 ,& :]e 0 x n[8 ,,*apt] ,,five ,ne>ly a week w5t by4 ,! lead capsule conta9+ ! /ol5 radioisotope _h n be5 f\nd4 ,9 fact1 z f> z ,eddie knew1 !re _h be5 no wor?:ile clues on :i* to base a se>*4 ,curi\s z he 01 ,eddie /ill manag$ to keep f ask+ 8 fa!r a lot ( que/ions4 ,ar\nd home1 ,mr4 ,taylor _h be5 ?\ghtfully sil5t4 ,eddie knew t 8 fa!r mu/ be v worri$4 ,eddie ga!r$ en\gh f ! conv]sations betwe5 8 p>5ts to "k t ! se>* = ! /ol5 isotope 0 /ill go+ on4 ,9 fact1 x 0 pretty well kn[n t ,,fbi ag5ts _h arriv$ 9 ,oceanview to l5d a h&4 ,eddie hadn't se5 !m1 b sev]al ( 8 fri5ds _h4 ,x 0 h>d to keep secrets 9 a college t[n l ,oceanview4 ,! newspap]s _h tempor>ily dropp$ ! /ory4 ,aft] all1 :5 ! radioisotope _h be5 /ol5 x _h made a big /ory1 b no?+ m _h happ5$1 s !re 0 no?+ m to write ab\t4 ,!re 7 /ill articles 9 ! newspap]s ab\t ! ,acme ,aircraft ,company problem ( ! miss+ bluepr9ts4 ,actually1 x seem$ to ,eddie t ! newspap]s 7 mak+ m ( a my/]y out ( ! miss+ bluepr9ts ?an ( ! /ol5 radioisotopes4 ,p]haps t 0 because x _h n yet be5 decid$ :e!r ! bluepr9ts _h be5 /ol51 de/roy$ by accid5t1 or simply lo/4 ,9 an aircraft plant1 :]e ?\s&s & ?\s&s ( plans are be+ us$ at all times1 "s c>elessness is apt to occur4 ,eddie f\nd x h>d to believe t anyone c\ld get c>eless ) top-secret bluepr9ts1 yet su* ?+s did happ54 ,maybe ! reason p rema9$ curi\s ab\t ! miss+ bluepr9ts 0 t ev]yone knew :at a bluepr9t 04 ,ev5 ! ^w 8radioisotope0 meant v little to mo/ read]s4 ,:at !y 7 & :at !y did 7 ev5 less well kn[n4 ,friday morn+ ,te5a came :i/l+ up to ! back door at ,eddie's h\se to see if he want$ to d any?+4 8,mom's gone %opp+10 ,eddie said4 8,%e'll be back 9 a few m9utes4 ,!n maybe we c\ld take ! ,geig] c\nt] &--0 ,8 words 7 int]rupt$ by ! telephone r++ inside4 8,be "r back10 he said1 hurry+ into ! h\se4 ,8 fa!r 0 on ! o!r end ( ! l9e4 8,eddie10 he said1 8!re's a d>k-gre5 notebook on my desk 9 ! /udy4 ,i =got x ?is morn+4 ,c't get away f "h1 & ,i ne$ x40 8,i'll br+ x ov]1 ,dad10 ,eddie volunte]$ quickly4 8,good4 ,i'll be outside ! botany build+4 ,"k :]e t is80 8,botany8 ,:]e !y raise all ! plants & /uff80 ,eddie ask$4 8,t's "r40 8,i "k :]e x is10 ,eddie said4 8,be !re 9 five m9utes40 ,he w5t into ! /udy1 got ! notebook (f ! desk1 & w5t back outside4 8,i've got to te> ov] to s*ool ) ?is notebook10 he expla9$ to ,te5a4 8,t 0 my dad40 8,i'll g ) y10 ,te5a said4 8,o4,k40 ,x 0 only a few blocks to ! college campus4 ,rea*+ ! gr\nds1 !y took a %ort cut pa/ ! m5's gymnasium1 cross$ ! a?letic field1 & arriv$ at ! ,botany ,build+4 8,i see ,dad ov] !re10 ,eddie said1 po9t+4 ,!re 7 sev]al m5 /&+ 9 a gr\p 9 ! small cultivat$ field :i* ! botany dep>tm5t us$ to gr[ te/ plants ( v>i\s k9ds4 ,eddie & ,te5a pick$ _! way c>efully betwe5 ! r[s4 8,y made good "t1 ,eddie10 8 fa!r said1 tak+ ! notebook4 8,morn+1 ,te5a4 ,hope ,i didn't int]rupt any big plans40 8,oh1 no1 ,mr4 ,taylor10 ,te5a said4 8,we w]5't do+ any?+ special40 ,eddie 0 ab\t to turn & leave1 :5 he notic$ t sev]al ( ! "y m5--/ud5ts1 no d\bt--7 we>+ /range-look+1 long1 heavy gloves4 8,:y ! gloves1 ,dad80 he ask$4 ,mr4 ,taylor glanc$ up f ! notebook4 8,we're exp]im5t+ ) radioactive trac]s10 he said4 8,!y're weak--c]ta9ly n dang]\s--b !re's no h>m 9 tak+ a little extra precaution4 ,! gloves are lead-l9$ & absorb any ( ! rays :i* might possibly be pick$ up f h&l+ ! plants40 8,:at are trac]s1 ,mr4 ,taylor80 ,te5a ask$4 ,eddie %ot h] a quick sc[l4 ,he d\bt$ t 8 fa!r want$ to be bo!r$ ) que/ions at ! mom5t4 ,!n ,eddie notic$ "o ( ! /ud5ts hold+ ! w&like probe--or diode--( a ,geig] c\nt] d[n close to ! leaves ( "o plant4 ,x seem$ a /range ?+ to be do+4 ,:o w\ld prospect = uranium 9 plants4 8,t's a good "q1 ,te5a10 ,mr4 ,taylor said4 8,glad to see y're int]e/$40 ,he turn$ & spoke to ! /ud5t ) ! ,geig] c\nt]4 8,jim1 y want to expla9 to ?is "y lady1 & my son "h1 :at trac]s are80 ,eddie smil$ to himself4 ,8 fa!r 0 ! k9d ( a pr(essor :o believ$ 8 /ud5ts %\ld h ! *ance to use _! k :5ev] possible4 8,maybe we %\ld all li/5 to ?is10 ,eddie's fa!r said to ! o!rs4 ,!y ga!r$ ar\nd z ! d>k-hair$ /ud5t swit*$ (f ! ,geig] c\nt]1 swall[$ a bit uncom=tably1 & turn$ to face ! outdoor classroom :i* ,te5a's "q _h =m$ on ! spot4 8,well1 er--0 ,jim began1 address+ ,te5a1 8a trac] is a radioactive isotope :i* we--well1 s5d out on a j\rney1 !n foll[ x ) a ,geig] c\nt]40 8,i'm afraid t's n too cle>1 ,jim10 ,mr4 ,taylor said4 8,te5a's n an atomic sci5ti/4 ,c y simplify x = h]80 8,oh1 ,i "k :at a radioactive isotope is1 ,mr4 ,taylor10 ,te5a said pr\dly4 8,y d80 ,eddie's fa!r said 9 surprise4 8,x's some?+--,i ?9k y call x an elem5t--:i* !y put 9 an atomic reactor1 &--& cook x until x becomes radioactive4 ,k9d ( l a sponge soak+ up wat]40 8,v good10 ,mr4 ,taylor nodd$1 obvi\sly impress$4 8,eddie expla9$ x to me10 ,te5a said1 smil+1 8b he didn't say any?+ ab\t trac]s40 ,%e turn$ h] att5tion back to ,jim1 ! /ud5t4 8,all "r10 ,jim said1 seem+ m at ease1 8let's look at x ?is way4 ,any radioisotope keeps %oot+ out rays4 ,( c\rse1 y c't see ! rays ) y\r eyes4 ,!y're almo/ too small to ?9k ab\t4 ,b y c foll[ !m ) a ,geig] c\nt]40 ,he indicat$ ! black metal in/rum5t :i* he /ill held 9 8 h&4 8,well10 ,jim w5t on1 8say1 = in/ance1 t y want$ to "k h[ fa/ a /ream ( wat] fl[s4 ,y might toss 9 a rubb] ball & "t h[ long x takes to float a mile d[n/ream4 ,t w\ld give y its spe$4 ,or say y want$ to "k :i* way its curr5ts twi/ & turn4 ,y might dump 9 a gallon ( ink & wat* x foll[ ! curr5ts4 ,9 a way1 ! ball & ! ink are trac]s4 ,n radioactive trac]s1 ( c\rse1 b by wat*+ h[ !y act1 y le>n :at y want to "k40 8,let's talk ab\t radioactive trac]s10 ,eddie said eag]ly4 8,y're cr[d+ me1 bub10 ,jim said1 smil+4 ,ev]yone laugh$4 8,h[ are we us+ trac]s "h1 ,jim80 ,mr4 ,taylor prompt$4 8,we're te/+ ! use ( phosphate 9 plant gr[?10 ! /ud5t expla9$4 8,we want to "k :at ! plant does ) x4 ,does a phosphate f]tiliz] m]ely fe$ ! plant's roots1 or is x pull$ up into ! /ems & leaves8 ,& we want to "k h[ quickly ! plant absorbs x1 if at all4 ,( c\rse1 we c't see x1 b if we make ! phosphate slightly radioactive1 !n we h :at we call a trac]4 ,by us+ a ,geig] c\nt]1 we c foll[ or trace its movem5t40 8,c y expla9 our me?od1 ,jim80 ,mr4 ,taylor said4 8,well1 we spread a little ( ! radioactive phosphate ar\nd ! plant10 ! /ud5t said4 8,soon ! roots />t tak+ x 940 8,h[ d y "k t1 ,jim80 ,mr4 ,taylor ask$4 8,we hold ! ,geig] c\nt] to ! root4 ,if x />ts click+ fa/] ?an usual1 we "k ! root has absorb$ "s ( ! phosphate trac]4 ,we also hold ! ,geig] c\nt] ov] ! /ems & leaves4 ,z ! trac] works upw>d into ! plant1 ! ,geig] c\nt] reacts to x4 ,"h1 let me %[ y h[ x works on ?is cotton plant40 ,eddie & ,te5a mov$ ov] clos] to ! two-foot-high plant4 ,jim swit*$ on ! ,geig] c\nt]4 ,eddie saw ! ne$le on ! gauge flutt] slightly1 indicat+ ! normal cosmic-ray backgr\nd c\nt4 8,te5a10 ,jim said1 h&+ h] ! e>phones :i* 7 atta*$ by a long wire to ! ,geig] c\nt]1 8y take ^! e>phones4 ,n[1 ,i'll pass ! probe d[n close to ! base ( ! cotton bu%40 8,:at does ! /ick d80 ,te5a ask$4 ,al?\gh ,eddie _h expla9$ x to h]1 %e seem$ to feel t1 z a pupil1 %e %\ld ask "s que/ions to help ,jim out4 8,/ick8 ,oh1 y mean ! probe4 ,actually1 x's call$ a diode1 b probe's easi] to rememb]4 ,anyway1 ! probe is a vacuum tube fill$ ) a special k9d ( gas4 ,:5ev] invisible radioactive p>ticles %oot ?r\gh ! probe & into ! gas1 ! ,geig] c\nt] clicks1 & ! ne$le on ! dial moves =w>d4 ,! m rays %oot+ ?r\gh ! probe1 ! m clicks2 ! m clicks1 ! m radioactivity4 ,t's :y ,geig] c\nt]s are s useful 9 hunt+ = uranium4 ,uranium is v1 v radioactive4 ,if y happ5 onto "s uranium ore1 ! ,geig] c\nt] really goes wild40 8,we h a ,geig] c\nt] at home10 ,eddie said eag]ly4 8,te5a & ,i h gone uranium prospect+ sev]al times40 8,hav5't f\nd any uranium10 ,te5a said1 8b we've _h fun try+4 ,:oops4 ,!re's "s click+60 ,%e put h] h&s up to ! e>phones4 ,jim _h mov$ ! probe d[n close to ! /em ( ! cotton plant4 8,good10 he said4 8,we mix$ a little radioactive phosphate into ! gr\nd ar\nd ! roots ?is morn+4 ,see1 ! ,geig] c\nt] %[s t ! phosphate trac] has already />t$ mov+ up into ! plant4 ,helps %[ h[ important phosphate is to plant gr[?1 & h[ eag]ly ! plants absorb x40 8,! plant sure looks heal?y en\gh1 all "r10 ,eddie said4 8,"r10 ,jim said4 8,n[ let's see h[ f> up into ! plant ! trac] has gone40 ,he mov$ ! probe upw>d ov] ! small] twigs & leaves4 ,on ! l[] leaves ! ,geig] c\nt] kept click+ rapidly4 ,eddie wat*$ ! ne$le /ay =w>d on ! gauge4 8,see1 ! leaves h tak5 a lot ( x 9 already10 ,jim expla9$4 ,!n1 z he mov$ ! probe f>!r up t[>d ! top ( ! plant1 ! click+ dim9i%$ until only ! famili> sl[ backgr\nd c\nt rema9$4 8,x quit10 ,te5a said4 8,%[s t ! phosphate has only rea*$ ab\t half ( ! plant s f>10 ,jim said4 8,y see1 ) ! trac] & ! ,geig] c\nt] we c tell j h[ f> x has gone & h[ long x has tak54 ,we c ev5 tell h[ mu* has be5 absorb$ by comp>+ ! am\nt ( radioactivity 9 ! leaves & /ems ( ! plant to :at we "k 0 conta9$ 9 ! orig9al trac]40 8,boy1 t's some?+60 ,eddie exclaim$4 8,by add+ trac]s to "s f]tiliz]s10 ,jim w5t on1 8we f\nd t ! plant made no use ( ! f]tiliz]4 ,! ,geig] c\nt] didn't pick up any radioactivity 9 ! plant4 ,meant wa/$ money to any f>m] or g>d5] :o us$ x4 ,n[ d y see :at we mean by a trac]8 ,see h[ radioactive trac]s c be helpful80 8,oh1 yes10 ,te5a said4 8,i d40 8,i'll bet if ,i _h "s ( t trac] ,i w\ldn't lose s _m ?+s10 ,eddie said4 8,i c\ld pa9t a little on my m>bles or sl+-%ot4 ,!n ,i c\ld always f9d !m ) a ,geig] c\nt]40 8,y c\ld1 at t10 8 fa!r said4 8,& ,i w\ldn't be /epp+ on ! m>bles 9 my b>e feet4 ,b1 ( c\rse1 great c>e mu/ be tak5 9 h&l+ radioisotopes1 :i* is :at trac]s are40 ,jim _h w>m$ up to ! subject1 & wasn't q ready to drop x4 8,trac]s are us$ 9 _m ways10 he w5t on4 8,!y are us$ 9 m$ic9e to locate diseas$ tissue :i* attracts & absorbs c]ta9 isotopes4 ,a radiation-s5sitive in/rum5t1 simil> to a sup] ,geig] c\nt]1 sniffs out ! isotope & locates ! damag$ tissue4 ,!n ! doctor kn[s :at to treat1 or :]e to op]ate4 ,radioisotopes are us$ 9 v>i\s food te/s4 ,by wat*+ ! trac] ) electronic gadgets1 !y c tell :e!r ! food is a muscle build]1 a bone build]1 or :at40 8,y c make ma*9e p>ts radioactive10 ,mr4 ,taylor said4 8,!n by see+ h[ _m radioactive p>ticles are 9 ! oil aft] ! ma*9e has be5 run1 y c tell h[ mu* we> ! ma*9e has tak54 ,oh1 !re are hundr$s ( ways to use radioactive trac]s4 ,y might call !m atomic signpo/s4 ,us+ a ,geig] c\nt] to read ! signs1 y are direct$ along ! pa?s t lead to ! answ]s ( nature's my/]ies40 8,w[60 ,eddie exclaim$4 8,pretty fl[]y1 at t1 ,i guess10 8 fa!r said1 smil+4 8,well1 anyway1 ,jim1 y did a nice job ( expla9+ x4 ,n[1 ,i ?9k we'd bett] get back to our "w4 ,?anks = br++ ! notebook ov]1 ,eddie--& ,te5a40 ,! two "y p turn$ & />t$ back t[>d ,eddie's h\se4 8,let's g across ! mall10 ,te5a sugge/$4 8,i hav5't be5 ov] "h = a long "t40 ,! mall1 z x 0 always call$1 0 a broad ribbon ( lawn :i* /ret*$ = m ?an a block d[n ! c5t] ( ! college campus4 ,x 0 bord]$ on bo? sides by ! _m build+s :i* made up ,oceanview ,college4 ,sidewalks lac$ back & =? across ! mall4 ,dur+ class *anges1 ! area sw>m$ ) /ud5ts4 ,n[1 z ,eddie & ,te5a walk$ along ! mall1 only a few /ud5ts saunt]$ ar\nd or sat loaf+ 9 front ( ! build+s wait+ = _! next class4 ,te5a & ,eddie walk$ pa/ ! libr>y1 ! assembly hall1 & ! nucle>-sci5ce build+4 ,!y 7 />t+ pa/ ! *emi/ry build+1 :5 ,eddie tugg$ at ,te5a's sleeve4 8,look10 he said1 po9t+ to ! back ( a man walk+ ab\t fifty y>ds ahead ( !m4 8,:o's t80 8,:o's :o80 ,te5a ask$4 8,y mean t man8 ,am ,i suppos$ to "k him80 8,i ?9k ,i d10 ,eddie said4 8,he sure looks famili>40 8,h[ c y tell8 ,all we c see is 8 back4 ,lots ( backs look alike4 ,he's tall4 ,maybe he's a basketball play]4 ,he looks old] ?an mo/ /ud5ts1 ?\gh4 ,:y1 8 hair's ev5 a little gray1 &--0 8,i've got x n[10 ,eddie int]rupt$4 8,! tall & k9d ( gray "p4 ,y "k :o8 ,simms4 ,t fell[ we ran into d[n at ! cove la/ week40 8,well-ll1 maybe10 ,te5a admitt$ ?\ghtfully4 8,we c\ld tell = sure if he'd turn ar\nd4 ,anyway1 ,i don't see :at diff]5ce x makes4 ,maybe he's a /ud5t "h4 ,!re are a lot ( old] /ud5ts4 ,maybe he's ev5 a tea*]4 ,lots ( tea*]s fi% on week ends4 ,no reason to get excit$40 8,:o's excit$80 ,eddie *all5g$4 8,c't a fell[ ask--0 8,o4,k41 ,o4,k410 ,te5a said4 8,anyway1 !re he goes into ! *emi/ry build+1 s we'll nev] "k j :o x 04 ,& t's ! end ( y\r my/]y40 ,eddie didn't say any?+4 ,he walk$ along1 busy ) 8 own ?\ghts4 ,probably ,te5a 0 "r4 ,:y make a my/]y ( x8 ,ev5 if ! man 7 ,simms1 :at diff]5ce w\ld x make8 ,yet1 :y _h ,simms act$ s /range & unfri5dly t day4 ,& = no reason ,eddie c\ld ?9k (4 ,!re 0 also ! memory ( ! /range metal tube :i* _h be5 9 ! r[boat :5 ! two m5 w5t fi%+1 & wasn't !re :5 !y return$4 ,!re 0 no po9t 9 ev5 m5tion+ x to ,te5a1 b ,eddie _h a /rangely uncom=table feel+ on see+ ! man "r !re on ! campus f :i* ! secret radioisotope _h be5 /ol5 rec5tly4 ,no1 x really c\ldn't mean a ?+1 ,eddie told himself4 ,!n1 aga91 maybe x c\ld4 ,,*apt] ,,six ,eddie _h hop$ t ! foll[+ day he & ,te5a c\ld make ! trip to ,c$> ,po9t ) ! ,geig] c\nt]4 ,x _h be5 9 ! back ( 8 m9d ev] s9ce 8 dream ( locat+ radioactive ore on ! rocky po9t4 ,b by ! "t he f9i%$ m[+ 8 lawn & do+ ! few o!r *ores l9$ up = him1 x 0 too late to attempt ! long trip4 ,besides1 ! only s5sible way to get to ,c$> ,po9t 0 by boat across ,moon ,bay4 ,x 0 a two-mile r[ ea* way4 ,yet1 protect$ by s& b>s1 ! bay usually rema9$ q calm4 ,by tak+ x easy1 x 0 no great job r[+ out to ! po9t4 ,/ill1 y _h to h a r[boat4 ,to r5t "o co/ money4 ,) s _m ?+s go+ on dur+ summ] vacation1 ,eddie simply hadn't be5 able to save out ( 8 all[ance4 ,he knew ( a way to get a boat1 ?\gh4 ,he _h done x a c\ple ( times be=e4 ,!re 7 m ?an two doz5 r[boats at ,&]son's ,l&+4 ,seldom 7 !y all r5t$ at once4 ,on ?is p>ticul> ,saturday1 a gray blanket ( high fog hung 9 ! sky4 ,eddie _h an idea t q a few ( ! boats w\ld /ill be ti$ up at ,&]son's ,l&+4 ,"r aft] lun* he hurri$ ov] to ,te5a's h\se4 8,h[ w\ld y l to g d[n to ,&]son's ,l&+10 he sugge/$1 8& see if we c't e>n a day's r5tal on "o ( ! boats8 ,!n maybe next week we c take t trip out to ,c$> ,po9t ) ! ,geig] c\nt]40 8,y want to e>n ! use ( a r[boat aga980 ,te5a ask$4 8,yep4 ,x's n s h>d10 ,eddie said4 8,want to come80 8,i'll ask "m40 ,soon ,eddie & ,te5a arriv$ at ! bea*4 ,mr4 ,&]son 0 midway out on ! :>f :i* jutt$ a hundr$ or s feet out into ! smoo? wat] ( ! bay4 ,!y trott$ out across ! r\gh plank+ to see him4 ,! boat[n] 0 a small1 wiry man ) deep wr9kles ar\nd 8 eyes f ye>s ( squ9t+ aga9/ ! reflection ( sun on wat]4 8,hi1 !re10 he greet$4 8,:]e are y\r fi%+ poles80 8,we didn't come to fi% today1 ,mr4 ,&]son10 ,eddie said4 8,d y h any odd jobs we c d80 8,ne$ a boat80 ! own] guess$4 8,yes1 sir10 ,eddie said4 8,we'd l to r[ out to ,c$> ,po9t "o ( ^! days40 8,q a r[40 8,oh1 ,eddie's a good r[]10 ,te5a said4 8,sometimes ,i ev5 help ) "o ( ! o>s40 8,well1 n[10 ,mr4 ,&]son said1 rubb+ 8 bri/ly *91 8y'd ne$ a boat almo/ a full day to r[ out to ,c$> ,po9t & back4 ,at fifty c5ts an h\r1 t's q a bit ( money40 8,we don't h any money1 ,mr4 ,&]son10 ,eddie expla9$4 8,t's :y we hop$ we c\ld "w x out4 ,rememb]1 ,i've done x be=e40 8,i rememb]10 ,mr4 ,&]son said4 8,& ,i rememb] t y're a pretty good work]1 too40 ,he glanc$ along ! :>f at ! r[boats ti$ up to a r[ ( cleats4 8,tell y :at4 ,y clean out :at boats are 91 & y've e>n$ y\rselves a day's r5tal on "o40 ,eddie c\nt$ ! boats quickly4 ,!re 7 f\rte5 ( !m n 9 use4 ,dep5d+ ^u h[ messy v>i\s fi%]m5 _h be51 he & ,te5a %\ld be able to clean !m up 9 ab\t ?ree h\rs4 8,h[ ab\t x1 ,te5a80 he ask$4 8,all "r by me10 %e said4 8,x's a deal1 ,mr4 ,&]son10 ,eddie said4 8,& ?anks a lot40 8,j :5 d y figure y w want ! boat80 ! own] ask$4 8,maybe next ,saturday40 8,all "r4 ,y d ! job1 & ,i'll save y "o4 ,make x a good job1 m9d y40 ,!y />t$ ) ! boat ne> ! f> end ( ! :>f1 & work$ %orew>d4 ,!y wip$ (f ! seats ) a damp rag & coil$ ! an*or ropes neatly ne> ! b[4 ,! bigge/ job1 ?\gh1 0 clean+ up ! junk :i* _h ga!r$ 9 ! bottom ( ea* boat dur+ ! week4 ,!re 7 c&y wrapp]s1 smelly *unks ( old bait1 sn>l$ bits ( lead]1 occasional fi%hooks1 ev5 dri$-out s&wi* cru/s & o!r odds & ends :i* _h collect$ 9 ea* boat4 ,:ile !y 7 work+1 two m boats return$4 ,eddie *eck$ _! numb]s :5 !y came 94 ,!n1 aft] he & ,te5a _h f9i%$ clean+ up ! f\rte51 !y w5t back & did ! two new arrivals4 8,well1 ,i'd say y've e>n$ a boat = next ,saturday10 ,mr4 ,&]son said1 glanc+ approv+ly at _! "w4 8,& ?anks = clean+ up ^? extra two t came 94 ,!y w]5't actually 9 ! b>ga91 y "k40 8,we 7 glad to d !m10 ,eddie said1 feel+ a bit pr\d t !y _h done m ?an ! b>ga9 call$ =4 8,i guess we'd bett] be go+ n[40 8,!re comes ano!r boat10 ,te5a said1 po9t+ to "o ( ! orange-&-:ite ,&]son's ,l&+ r[boats ab\t a hundr$ y>ds out f ! :>f4 8,well1 n[10 ,mr4 ,&]son said1 smil+1 8don't y be /ay+ ar\nd to clean t "o up4 ,i'll take c>e ( x40 8,te5a1 look10 ,eddie said4 8,x--x's ^? same two m5 we met at ! cove la/ week4 ,y "k1 ! tall "o call$ ,simms & ! *ubby "o call$ ,roy40 8,roy ,b5ton10 ,mr4 ,&]son said1 consult+ 8 r5tal slips4 8,he sign$ = ! boat ?is morn+4 ,second ,saturday !y've r5t$ "o4 ,hope !y're /eady cu/om]s4 ,i c always use ! bus9ess4 ,don't "k h[ long !y'll /ick ) x1 ?\gh4 ,!y didn't cat* a ?+ la/ week40 8,bet !y didn't cat* any ?is week1 ei!r10 ,eddie said4 8,n if !y fi%$ ov] ! s& b> aga940 8,i tri$ to tell !m ab\t good fi%9' spots10 ,mr4 ,&]son said1 8b !y didn't seem to be li/5+4 ,didn't ev5 ask me :at k9d ( bait 0 be/ ar\nd "h4 ,well1 !re are all k9ds ( fi%]m54 ,"o ?+ ,i've le>n$ 9 ?is bus9ess is n to g ar\nd giv+ advice :5 no "o asks = x4 ,fi%]m5 c be mighty t\*y ab\t t4 ,be/ to let !m use up _! own pet ideas1 ev5 if !y don't cat* fi%40 8,i c't figure :y !y w\ld want to take tr\t rods out ) !m to d ocean fi%+10 ,eddie said4 8,tr\t rods80 ,mr4 ,&]son ask$4 8,!y r5t$ poles f me4 ,i didn't see any tr\t rods40 8,well1 rememb] t metal tube !y _h la/ week8 ,ab\t two feet long8 ,if t wasn't a c>ry+ case = a jo9t$ tr\t rod1 :at else c\ld x be80 8,i don't recollect !m hav+ any?+ l t10 ,mr4 ,&]son said ?\ghtfully4 8,& ,i sure w\ld h notic$ x4 ,i help$ !m get load$ 9 ! boat4 ,all !y _h 0 a small box :i* ,i figur$ 0 _! lun*4 ,same ?+ ?is morn+4 ,no metal tubes ) knock-d[n tr\t rods or any?+ l t40 8,let's g1 ,eddie10 ,te5a prompt$4 8,i'd j z soon n h to meet !m aga94 ,!y 7 pretty cranky40 ,b ! tall man at ! o>s already 0 maneuv]+ ! boat clumsily up to ! :>f4 ,mr4 ,&]son lean$ d[n1 took ! pa9t] f ! fat man's h&1 & snubb$ x to ! dock cleat4 ,! tall man1 ,simms1 %ipp$ o>s & turn$ ar\nd to h& !m up to ,mr4 ,&]son4 ,he spott$ ,eddie & ,te5a4 8,well1 s x's y two aga910 he said ) no %[ ( fri5dl9ess4 8,y keep turn+ up1 & we'll ?9k y're spy+ on u40 8,we've be5 help+ ,mr4 ,&]son10 ,te5a def5d$4 8,no fi% aga9 today80 ,eddie said1 look+ into ! empty boat4 8,snagg$ a c\ple :opp]s10 ! portly man said1 8b !y got away40 8,did y hook !m ov] ! s& b>80 ,eddie ask$4 8,:y n80 ,simms said %>ply4 ,eddie glanc$ at ,mr4 ,&]son4 ,y j c\ldn't hook big ones ov] ! s& b>4 ,! boat own] %rugg$ at ,eddie's inquir+ look1 b he said no?+4 8,we'll get !m next week1 ?\gh10 ! man1 ,roy ,b5ton1 said4 8,y save u a boat = next ,saturday1 huh80 ,mr4 ,&]son made a note ( x4 ,be=e ,eddie nodd$ to ,te5a t !y %\ld be leav+1 he notic$ t !re 0 no metal tube ly+ 9 ! bottom ( ! boat4 ,_h he be5 see+ ?+s la/ ,saturday8 ,aft] all1 ev5 ,mr4 ,&]son claim$ ! m5 hadn't br\ght any?+ along except a lun* ( "s k9d4 ,eddie 0 q sure x hadn't be5 imag9ation1 b he didn't "k :y ! vision ( ! r\nd metal cyl9d] kept com+ into 8 m9d4 ,& any?+ he c\ldn't expla9 bo!r$ ,eddie a lot4 ,at ! foot ( ! :>f ,te5a said1 8,x's e>ly yet1 ,eddie4 ,let's take a hike up ! bea*1 %all we8 ,maybe we c\ld ev5 g z f> z ! ligh?\se & say hello to ,cap40 8,suits me10 ,eddie agre$4 ,he nev] got tir$ ( walk+ along ! bea*4 ,!re 0 always some?+ new to see & d4 ,! fre% ocean breeze on 8 face & ! s(t s& und]foot made him feel good4 ,nor did he ev] tire ( pick+ pebbles (f ! bea* & skipp+ !m across ! smoo? wat] ( ! bay4 ,a little :ile lat] !y 7 almo/ to ! cove :5 a piece ( gre5 mat]ial caught ,eddie's gaze4 ,x 0 be+ g5tly buffet$ up & d[n on ! s& by ! small lapp+ waves4 ,he trott$ ov] & pick$ x out ( ! wat]4 8,:at'd y f9d1 ,eddie80 ,te5a call$ f ne>by4 8,j a piece ( rubb]10 ,eddie said1 hold+ up ! f\r-in* l5g? ( gre5 mat]ial4 8,looks l "p ( a /rap (f someone's swim f9s40 8,boy1 y're "s bea*comb]10 ,te5a teas$4 8,an old /rap (f someone's swim f9 is "s treasure40 ,eddie drew back 8 arm & 0 ab\t to ?r[ ! scrap back into ! wat]1 :5 "s pr9t+ :i* 0 mold$ into ! rubb] caught 8 eye4 8,hey10 he said1 look+ at x closely4 8,x's got "s k9d ( =eign words on x40 8,s :at80 ,te5a said4 8,i guess !y make swim f9s all ov] ! _w4 ,probably "s t\ri/ f ano!r c\ntry br\ght !m4 ,!re are q a few t\ri/s ar\nd "h dur+ ! summ]1 y "k40 8,yeah1 t's "r10 ,eddie admitt$1 b he /uff$ ! scrap ( rubb] into 8 pocket & walk$ on4 ,9 a little :ile !y arriv$ at ! cove :]e !y _h come across ! two m5 a week e>li]4 ,ow+ to ! rocks & ! r poor bea*1 ! cove 0 seldom visit$ by ba!rs4 ,!re 0 really little reason = fi%]m5 to put into ! cove1 ei!r4 ,t 0 :y x _h puzzl$ him to f9d ! two m5 at ! cove ! previ\s ,saturday4 ,h[ev]1 !y might simply h be5 explor+ ! cove4 ,eddie & ,te5a cont9u$ across ! r\gh bea*4 ,!re 0 no "o 9 sight at ! cove4 ,z !y walk$1 !y pick$ up bright %ells :i* spr9kl$ ! s& be=e !m4 8,look at ^! tracks1 ,eddie10 ,te5a said1 z %e po9t$ d[n at deep grooves 9 ! s&4 ,!y 7 long & wide--! k9d a boat dragg$ up onto ! bea* w\ld leave4 8,!y look fre%10 ,eddie said4 8,c\ldn't h be5 "h m ?an ?ree or f\r h\rs1 or ! tide w\ld h wip$ out ! m>ks4 ,wond] if x 0 ! same two fell[s80 8,funny t !y w\ld r5t a boat to g fi%+10 ,te5a said1 8& !n come 9 "h to ! cove fir/4 ,!re ar5't any s& crabs to dig = bait40 ,eddie 0 ?9k+ ! same ?+4 ,!n he saw footpr9ts :i* l$ f ! place :]e ! boat _h be5 bea*$ to ! base ( ! bluff ris+ above ! cove4 8,n[ :y w\ld !y g to ! foot ( ! bluff80 ,eddie said1 puzzl$4 8,!re's no?+ to see ov] !re40 ,curiosity gripp$ him4 ,he />t$ foll[+ ! tw9 sets ( footpr9ts4 8,eddie10 ,te5a said1 8we'd bett] g on if we're go+ to visit ,capta9 ,daniels40 8,?is won't take long10 ,eddie call$ back ov] 8 %\ld]4 ,te5a foll[$ z he w5t on t[>d ! foot ( ! bluff4 8,hey1 look10 ,eddie said4 8,!re's a k9d ( pa? t zigzags up ! bluff4 ,i've nev] notic$ t be=e40 8,x's n mu* ( a pa?10 ,te5a said1 look+ up ! /eeply w9d+ trail4 8,& ,i don't "k :y anyone w\ld want to use x to get to ?is cove4 ,x's mu* easi] com+ up ! bea*40 8,b someone's be5 us+ x10 ,eddie said4 8,see h[ ! gr\nd's /irr$ up4 ,i c't figure :y anyone w\ld want to l& a boat 9 ?is cove1 !n climb up & d[n t bluff be=e go+ fi%+4 ,c y80 8,guess n10 ,te5a admitt$4 8,might be wor? f9d+ out10 ,eddie said4 8,come on40 8,:]e80 8,up ! pa?4 ,i've nev] be5 up top4 ,might be some?+ really wor? see+40 8,i d\bt x10 ,te5a said4 8,!re us$ to be "s fi%]m5's %acks up top4 ,b ,i don't ?9k anyone lives !re any m40 8,j = kicks1 let's see10 ,eddie insi/$1 />t+ up ! w9d+ pa?4 ,! dirt ( ! bluff 0 s&y & s(t1 mak+ h>d climb+ z x %ift$ & slid und]foot4 ,x took !m sev]al m9utes to climb ! slant+ palisade :i* 0 only "s sev5ty feet high4 8,phew10 ,te5a said1 aft] !y _h scrambl$ up ! la/ few feet4 8,y sure get "s wild ideas1 ,eddie40 ,eddie didn't answ]4 ,he /ood look+ ar\nd4 ,x 0 easy to see :y s few p 7 acqua9t$ ) t "p ( ! coa/l9e4 ,al?\gh !re 7 no trees ( any size1 ! roll+ l& :i* ext5d$ back f ! bluff's edge 0 cov]$ ) a d5se tangle ( bru%4 ,only a fooli% p]son w\ld try claw+ 8 way ?r\gh x to get to ! cove4 ,! bea* r\te 0 ! easy way1 z ,te5a _h said4 ,yet !re 0 a fa9t pa? w9d+ inl& f ! top ( ! bluff4 ,x disappe>$ quickly into ! bru%4 ,fre% footpr9ts indicat$ t x _h be5 us$ rec5tly4 8,n[1 :y d y suppose anyone w\ld g t way80 ,eddie wond]$ al\d4 8,i w\ldn't want to try x10 ,te5a said4 8,t bru% w\ld scrat* my arms & legs40 8,maybe x leads to t %ack ov] !re10 ,eddie said1 po9t+4 ,he c\ld see only ! upp] half ( ! small build+4 ,probably x _h once be5 a fi%]man's h\se4 ,! o!r fi%]m5's build+s mu/ h rott$ away & fall5 into ! we$s4 ,! dampness ( ! sea%ore c\ld rot timb]s out if !y w]5't kept up prop]ly4 ,ev5 ! /ructure t /ill /ood ab\t two hundr$ y>ds away 0 badly wea!r-beat5 & )\t pa9t4 ,! %+les ( ! ro( 7 crook$ & p>tly bl[n away1 leav+ gap+ holes4 ,illu/ration3 8,come on1 ,eddie1 let's g back40 8,well1 ,i don't "k :y anyone w\ld want to g to t place10 ,te5a said4 8,surely1 no "o lives !re4 ,x--x almo/ looks haunt$4 ,come on1 ,eddie1 let's g back4 ,x's gett+ too late to visit ,capta9 ,daniels1 anyway40 8,i'd l to get a good look at t %ack10 ,eddie said4 8,b :y80 ,te5a insi/$4 8,i c see en\gh ( x f "h40 ,eddie didn't h a ready answ] = want+ to look m closely at ! %ack4 ,he c\ldn't ev5 expla9 x 9 8 own m9d1 let alone give a good reason to ,te5a4 ,/ill1 a lot ( ?+s seem$ to be 9 ne$ ( "s explanation4 ,:y did ! two m5 nam$ ,simms & ,b5ton come to ! cove8 ,:y did _! footpr9ts lead up ! bluff & disappe> into ! bru%8 ,did !y lead to ! old %ack8 ,if s1 :y8 ,& :at ab\t t disappe>+ metal cyl9d] :i* ,eddie _h se5 9 _! boat la/ ,saturday8 ,maybe none ( x meant a ?+4 ,ev5 if x did1 he c]ta9ly _h no idea :at x 04 ,eddie %rugg$4 ,sometimes 8 curiosity got ! be/ ( him4 ,anyway1 :y bo!r ,te5a ) x8 8,all "r10 he said1 8let's g back40 ,,*apt] ,,sev5 ,! foll[+ few days 7 sultry & hot4 ,eddie /ay$ pretty close ar\nd home4 ,he saw little ( 8 fa!r4 ,betwe5 regul> tea*+ duties & ! se>* /ill go+ on = ! /ol5 radioisotope1 ,mr4 ,taylor 0 v busy4 ,ea* day he look$ ev5 m tir$4 ,eddie c\ld only imag9e h[ mu* ! loss ( ! secret radioactive sub/ance bo!r$ him4 ,!n1 ,friday1 some?+ happ5$ :i* set all ,oceanview a/ir4 ,! cause 0 a /ory on ! front page ( ! ,globe4 ,!re wasn't positive pro(1 b "o ( ! ,coa/ ,gu>d planes on regul> patrol ! previ\s ,saturday night _h pick$ up a /range blip on its rad> scre54 ,by ! "t ! plane _h circl$ back to drop a fl>e & inve/igate1 ! image on ! rad>scope _h disappe>$4 ,^u dropp+ ! fl>e1 !y _h f\nd no?+ b ! smoo? wat] ( ! ocean j outside ! entrance to ,moon ,bay4 ,! imm$iate belief 0 t ! object _h be5 a subm>9e4 ,fur!r1 if x 0 a subm>9e1 x c]ta9ly _h be5 a =eign craft4 ,! locations ( all ,am]ican subm>9es 7 well *>t$ & kn[n by ! ,coa/ ,gu>d4 ,f9ally1 aft] a week ( secret inve/igation _h reveal$ no pro( ( ! object's actual id5tity1 ! /ory 0 releas$ to ! newspap]s4 8,dad10 ,eddie said t morn+ aft] breakfa/1 z 8 fa!r prep>$ to leave = s*ool1 8:at w\ld a =eign subm>9e be do+ ar\nd "h80 8,t's a t\gh "q to answ]1 ,eddie10 ,mr4 ,taylor said4 8,& rememb]1 :at %[$ up on ! airplane's rad> wasn't positively id5tifi$ z a subm>9e4 ,x might h be5 a :ale4 ,or sev]al :ales1 = t matt]40 8,! newspap] doesn't ?9k s10 ,eddie said4 8,besides1 no "o's ev] se5 :ales t close 940 8,!re's always a fir/ "t40 8,b :at if x 0 a subm>9e80 ,eddie insi/$4 8,x's possible t x got (f its c\rse & surfac$ to try & get a be>+10 8 fa!r said4 8,if t's ! case1 !y probably 7 consid]ably />tl$ to f9d !mselves s close to %ore1 & div$ imm$iately to avoid discov]y4 ,x c\ld happ54 ,subm>9es h be5 kn[n to sc\t (f ?is coa/4 ,b usually !y are f> out to sea 9 int]national wat]s40 8,maybe !y 7 pick+ up spies10 ,eddie blurt$4 8,or--or l&+ "s40 ,8 fa!r look$ at him %>ply4 8,:at k9d ( h>um-sc>um talk is t1 ,eddie80 he dem&$4 ,eddie swall[$ uncom=tably4 ,he wi%$ he hadn't said x4 ,b he _h be5 do+ s mu* ?9k+ ab\t ! /ol5 radioisotope & ! miss+ bluepr9ts f ! ,acme ,aviation ,company t ! words _h leap$ f 8 m\? )\t 8 realiz+ x4 ,be=e ,eddie c\ld ?9k ( an answ]1 8 fa!r's face relax$4 8,=get x1 son10 he said4 8,y always h _h a pretty active imag9ation4 ,!re's no?+ wrong ) t4 ,j don't let x get away f y4 ,well1 ,i'd bett] be leav+40 8,dad10 ,eddie said1 8d y h a tea*] at s*ool nam$ ,simms80 8,simms80 8 fa!r repli$4 8,i don't recall any ,simms4 ,:at dep>tm5t80 8,i don't "k10 ,eddie said4 8,te5a & ,i saw him out fi%+ a c\ple ( times ) a fat man call$ ,roy ,b5ton4 ,!n ,i ?\ght ,i saw ,mr4 ,simms la/ week on ! college campus40 8,well1 we h ne>ly two ?\s& enroll$ = summ] c\rses1 y "k10 8 fa!r expla9$4 8,_m ( !m are adults4 ,tea*]s tak+ extra cr$it c\rses1 or /udy+ = _! ma/]s' degrees4 ,i imag9e a lot ( !m g fi%+ on _! days (f4 ,any reason ,i %\ld "k ?is ,simms80 8,i guess n10 ,eddie said4 ,he 0 a little emb>rass$ at ! que/ions he _h ask$4 ,he didn't really "k :y he _h ask$ !m4 ,yet he felt t ! v>i\s puzzl+ ?+s :i* _h happ5$ dur+ ! pa/ weeks might tie 9 toge!r4 ,he c\ldn't expla9 ! feel+1 b x ga9$ /r5g? all ( ! "t4 ,x 0 ! reason1 too1 :y he decid$ late t aft]noon to g & take a look at ! %ack he & ,te5a _h se5 locat$ back f ! top edge ( ! bluff ! previ\s week4 ,he decid$ n to ask ,te5a to g4 ,%e _h worri$ ! o!r day ab\t ! bru% scrat*+ h] arms & legs4 ,x w\ld be simpl] to g by himself4 ,he decid$ to take ,s&y along = company4 ,he /opp$ at ,&]son's ,l&+ long en\gh to *eck ) ! own] ab\t a boat = him & ,te5a ! next day4 8,t's our agreem5t10 ,mr4 ,&]son said1 smil+4 8,aft] all1 y e>n$ x4 ,don't want y *as+ any subm>9es ) x1 ?\gh40 ,! boat[n] laugh$4 ,app>5tly p w]5't tak+ ! rumor$ subm>9e sight+ v s]i\sly4 ,eddie suppos$ t1 z long z !re 0 no pro(1 p]haps x 0 j z well4 ,besides1 ev5 a =eign subm>9e 0 n likely to cause any tr\ble4 ,aft] all1 !re 0 no w> go+ on4 ,/ill1 ,eddie c\ldn't %rug x (f s lightly4 ,! tangle ( /range happ5+s dur+ ! pa/ days upset him1 & he didn't feel mu* l jok+2 n :5 8 fa!r & ,te5a's fa!r 7 bo? 9 ! ?ick ( s]i\s tr\ble4 ,eddie took 8 "t gett+ to ! cove4 ,s&y *as$ back & =? into ! surf aft] bits ( driftwood :i* he kept dropp+ at ,eddie's feet1 & :i* ,eddie ?rew back into ! wat]4 ,by ! "t he rea*$ ! cove1 ,eddie wi%$ he hadn't dawdl$ along s sl[ly4 ,! sun _h dropp$ fa/1 & 0 already squa%+ d[n aga9/ ! horizon4 8,come on1 ,s&y10 he said1 />t+ = ! foot ( ! bluff4 8,we've got to hurry40 ,he />t$ up ! n>r[ w9d+ trail4 ,s&y scurri$ ahead & f9ally /ood1 pant+ heavily1 on top ( ! bluff1 wait+ = ,eddie4 ,! %ack 0 /ill pla9ly visible 9 ! wan+ light4 ,eddie />t$ along ! pa?4 ,9 mo/ places x c\ld h>dly be call$ a pa?1 except t !re 7 dim tracks to foll[4 ,! heavy gr[? ( bru% & we$s tore at 8 clo!s4 ,he kept 8 arms tuck$ 9 close to 8 body to keep f gett+ scrat*$4 ,s&y _h no difficulty :atsoev] 9 rac+ back & =? ?r\gh ! ?ick scrubby gr[?4 ,all ( 8 runn+ _h tir$ ! cock] spaniel en\gh t he wasn't yipp+ & b>k+ z he s (t5 did4 ,)9 a few m9utes ,eddie 0 to be v ?ankful = t4 ,z he _h suspect$1 ! fa9t trail end$ at ! door ( ! old ab&on$ fi%]man's %ack4 ,9 ! e]ie light ( dusk1 ,eddie rememb]$ ,te5a say+ t x look$ almo/ haunt$4 ,x c]ta9ly did4 ,brok5 %utt]s dangl$ f bo>d$-up w9d[s4 ,gap+ holes 9 ! ro( yawn$ at ! d>k5+ sky4 ,! w>p$ & twi/$ wood5 sid+ made ! :ole /ructure look z ?\gh x 7 ab\t to cave 94 ,eddie approa*$ ! %ack cauti\sly4 ,he figur$ 8 curiosity w\ld be satisfi$ if he took j "o look inside4 ,8 h& 0 pois$ ov] ! lat* on ! door :5 a slight scrat*+ s\nd f inside froze x 9 mid-air4 ,x s\nd$ l someone scrat*+ a mat*4 ,ev5 z he /ood !re ) sudd5 fe> prickl+ along 8 sp9e1 a small fl>e ( light seep$ ?r\gh "o ( ! cracks betwe5 ! w>p$ bo>ds ( ! door4 ,x 0 a mat*6 ,eddie suck$ 9 8 brea? & drew back4 ,8 fir/ ?\ght 0 to turn & run4 ,on second ?\ght1 h[ev]1 he paus$4 ,p]haps hoboes n[ & !n us$ ! ab&on$ %ack = sleep+ qu>t]s4 ,x c\ldn't be v com=table1 b x w\ld be bett] ?an sleep+ outside 9 ! damp ocean air4 ,al?\gh ,eddie _h no desire to meet any hobo1 x 0 h>dly reason to run away 9 a panic4 ,)\t mak+ any s\nd1 & glad t ,s&y 0 (f explor+ 9 ! bru%1 ,eddie s\ght "o ( ! l>g] cracks 9 ! door4 ,lean+ t[>d x1 he put "o eye to ! crack4 ,x 0 !n t ,eddie's fe> took a firm grip on him4 ,a small c&le burn$ on an empty fruit crate /&+ 9 ! middle ( ! %ack's s+le room4 ,9 "o corn] 0 an old d\ble bunk1 empty n[ ( mattresses or b$d+4 ,a c\ple ( rickety *airs & a b5* complet$ :at furniture 0 inside ! %ack4 ,eddie's eye 0 attract$ by ! gl9t ( c&lelight ^u metal4 ,squ9t+ ?r\gh ! crack1 he 0 able to make out ! =m ( ! reflect+ object4 ,x 0 "o ( ^? metal tubes--l ! "o he _h notic$ 9 ! bottom ( ! /rang]s' r[boat t day at ! cove4 ,on ! floor 0 a squ>e batt]y camp lant]n su* z hunt]s (t5 use4 ,!re 0 "o p]son 9 ! room4 ,he sat on ! small b5*4 ,8 back 0 p>tly turn$ t[>d ,eddie4 ,he appe>$ to be /udy+ "s k9d ( a pap]1 al?\gh ,eddie c\ld see only a small corn] ( x4 ,!re 0 no mi/ak+ ! man1 al?\gh 8 face 0 turn$ away4 ,x 0 ! *ubby fell[ nam$ ,roy ,b5ton4 ,!re 0 no?+ m to see4 ,eddie back$ c>efully away f ! door4 ,a few y>ds away1 he turn$ & scrambl$ back along ! d>k5+ pa? t[>d ! cove1 z ,s&y came cra%+ ?r\gh ! bru% to meet him4 ,,*apt] ,,eight ,a lot ( tr\ble might h be5 sav$ if ?+s _h work$ out z ,eddie _h plann$4 ,&1 yet1 if !y _h1 ! my/]y ( ! miss+ bluepr9ts & ! /ol5 radioisotope might nev] h be5 cle>$ up4 ,hurry+ home ?r\gh ! d>kness1 ,eddie w5t ov] 9 8 m9d ! /ory he w\ld tell 8 fa!r4 ,p]haps x didn't mean a ?+4 ,p]haps 8 imag9ation simply 0 runn+ wild1 z 8 fa!r _h h9t$4 ,he _h to admit to himself t he 0 prone to build r normal incid5ts into deep my/]ies4 ,he _h always be5 t way4 ,ev5 all[+ = t1 h[ev]1 ,eddie /ill believ$ !re 0 a /rong possibility t ! ev5ts ( ! pa/ weeks might tie 9 ) ! /ol5 radioisotope2 p]haps ev5 ) ! miss+ bluepr9ts f ,acme ,aviation4 ,"r 9 ! middle ( ^? ev5ts ! figures ( ! two m5--,simms & ,roy ,b5ton--kept loom+ up 9 8 m9d4 ,anyway1 he ?\ght he %\ld tell 8 fa!r ab\t x & let him decide :e!r !re c\ld be any possible connection4 ,x 0 n1 h[ev]1 to be t way4 ,^u arriv+ home well aft] d>k1 ,eddie f\nd 8 "m bo? irk$ & worri$ ov] 8 late return4 8,y didn't ev5 ask me if y c\ld g10 %e scold$4 8,& y "k bett] ?an to be gett+ home at ?is late h\r40 8,i--,i'm sorry1 ,mom10 ,eddie said meekly4 8,i didn't "k ,i w\ld be gone s long40 ,mrs4 ,taylor turn$ f ! /ove :]e %e 0 w>m+ 8 d9n]4 8,aft] y eat10 %e said firmly1 8,i want y to g "r to b$4 ,no television40 ,x 0 a mild en\gh puni%m5t1 ,eddie ?\ght1 & didn't argue4 ,8 fa!r w\ld n h be5 s l5i5t4 ,he look$ ar\nd4 8,:]e's ,dad80 he ask$4 8,y\r fa!r phon$ a :ile ago10 8 "m expla9$4 8,he'll be home late4 ,fe$ ,s&y n[2 !n wa% up = d9n]40 ,eddie op5$ a c ( dog food1 w5t outside1 & spoon$ half ( x into ,s&y's di%4 ,capp+ ! c ) a pla/ic cov]1 he put x 9 ! refrig]ator1 !n w5t to wa%4 ,aft] d9n] he kiss$ 8 "m good night & w5t /raight to 8 room4 ,he lay 9 b$1 go+ ov] 9 8 m9d ! rec5t ev5ts4 ,he li/5$ = 8 fa!r's arrival4 ,he _h hop$ someh[ to evade 8 e>ly-b$time puni%m5t long en\gh to tell 8 /ory to 8 fa!r4 ,b he hadn't c\nt$ on 8 tir$ness4 ,he fell fa/ asleep long be=e 8 fa!r came home4 ,! s\nd ( ! c> back+ out ( ! driveway awak5$ ,eddie ! foll[+ morn+4 ,he wa%$ & dress$ quickly4 ,p]haps 8 "m _h gone to d a bit ( e>ly %opp+4 ,x 0 ,saturday4 ,probably 8 fa!r w\ld be home = ! day4 ,n[ might be ,eddie's be/ *ance to tell him :at _h be5 runn+ ?r\gh 8 m9d4 ,hurry+ into ! kit*51 he f\nd 8 "m at ! d9ette table hav+ a cup ( c(fee4 8,hi1 ,mom4 ,:]e's ,dad80 ,eddie ask$4 8,he j drove out1 ,eddie10 8 "m said4 8,he _h to get ov] to s*ool e>ly40 8,b x's ,saturday40 8,saturdays hav5't be5 v re/ful = y\r fa!r lately1 h !y80 8 "m said4 8,he has an appo9tm5t ) "s p f ,wa%+ton ,d4,c4 ?is morn+40 8,ab\t ! /ol5 radioisotope80 ,eddie wond]$ al\d4 8,might be10 8 "m said4 8,he didn't say1 & ,i didn't ask40 8,didn't ask80 8,eddie10 8 "m said firmly1 8! !ft ( t isotope is pretty s]i\s bus9ess4 ,y\r fa!r is h&l+ x ! be/ he c4 ,he'll tell u :at he wants u to "k4 ,x is n our "p to be ask+ que/ions4 ,y try to rememb] t1 de>40 ,eddie didn't say any?+4 ,he knew 8 "m 0 "r4 ,he 0 greatly disappo9t$1 ?\gh1 t he hadn't _h ! *ance to talk to 8 fa!r4 ,eddie 0 f9i%+ breakfa/ :5 ,te5a telephon$4 8,we're go+ to ,c$> ,po9t today1 ar5't we80 %e ask$4 8,i--,i guess s10 ,eddie said4 8,y guess s8 ,b ,mr4 ,&]son is hold+ a boat = u4 ,?is is ,saturday1 y "k40 8,i "k40 8,well1 we %\ld get />t$10 ,te5a insi/$4 8,x's "s r[ out to ,c$> ,po9t40 8,hold on a m9ute10 ,eddie said4 8,i've got to ask ,mom40 ,he turn$ & expla9$ _! plans to 8 "m4 8,x's all "r1 ,eddie10 ,mrs4 ,taylor said4 8,b no gett+ home late l ye/]day1 und]/&80 8,don't worry1 ,mom10 ,eddie promis$4 8,we'll />t e>ly1 & get back e>ly40 ,!n he spoke to ,te5a4 8,i'll be "r ov]10 ,te5a repli$1 8soon z ,i make u a little picnic lun*40 ,eddie got ! ,geig] c\nt] out ( ! closet4 ,he told 8 "m h[ he _h be5 want+ to try x out on ,c$> ,po9t4 ,he told h] ab\t ! dream he _h _h4 8,well1 ,i guess y nev] c tell10 ,mrs4 ,taylor said4 8,accord+ to y\r fa!r1 uranium ore (t5 %[s up 9 mo/ unlikely places40 8,c$> ,po9t isn't s unlikely1 ,mom10 ,eddie said4 8,!re are lots ( rock =mations out !re4 ,uranium ore is usually locat$ :]e !re are pl5ty ( rocks40 ,:5 ,te5a arriv$ ,eddie 0 all set to leave4 ,he wore swimm+ trunks "u 8 blue jeans4 ,te5a said %e also _h h] ba?+ suit on 9 case !y _h to swim home4 8,well1 y *ildr5 be c>eful10 ,eddie's "m caution$4 8,! bay's usually nice & smoo?1 b x c get pretty *oppy4 ,if x does1 y head /raight = %ore1 und]/&80 8,we w1 ,mrs4 ,taylor10 ,te5a promis$4 ,eddie's "m smil$4 8,be back no lat] ?an f\r o'clock10 %e said to ,eddie4 8,"r40 8,b y don't h a wat*1 ,eddie10 ,te5a said4 8,i c tell by ! sun10 he said pr\dly1 !n add$1 8pretty close1 anyway40 ,eddie c>ri$ ! ,geig] c\nt] & ,te5a ! picnic lun* z !y />t$ t[>d ,&]son's ,l&+4 ,al?\gh x 0 a nice sunny day = fi%+1 !re 7 /ill sev]al r[boats ti$ up at ! l&+4 ,mr4 ,&]son 0 9 8 little (fice at ! foot ( ! dock4 8,i've be5 expect+ y10 he said4 8,sav$ y a nice light pair ( o>s1 too40 8,swell10 ,eddie said4 8,?anks1 ,mr4 ,&]son40 8,take boat ,numb] ,eighte510 ! own] said4 8,%e rides high & is leakpro(4 ,:at's t gadget y've got !re80 8,x's a ,geig] c\nt]1 ,mr4 ,&]son10 ,eddie said4 8,we hope we'll f9d "s signs ( uranium out on ,c$> ,po9t40 8,t ! /uff y make atom bombs (80 ,mr4 ,&]son said1 ) a note ( disapproval 9 8 voice4 8,y c make bombs ( x10 ,eddie admitt$1 8b n[adays sci5ti/s are m int]e/$ 9 runn+ ma*9]y & cur+ diseases ) x40 8,t's ! k9d ( ?+ ,i l to he>10 ,mr4 ,&]son said1 smil+4 8,9 t case1 good luck40 ,soon1 ) ,eddie at ! o>s1 !y />t$ t[>d di/ant ,c$> ,po9t4 ,eddie set ! c\rse 9 a l9e :i* cut at an angle across ! bay4 ,z !y 7 cross+ ! subm]g$ s& b>1 ,te5a po9t$ %orew>d4 8,eddie1 look10 %e said4 ,re/+ on ! o>s & foll[+ ! direction ( ,te5a's f+]1 ,eddie saw t !y 7 directly (f%ore f ! cove4 ,he also saw ! orange-&-:ite r[boat pull$ up onto ! bea*4 ,( ev5 m importance1 he saw two m5 mak+ _! way c>efully d[n ! n>r[ trail :i* zigzagg$ d[n ! face ( ! bluff4 ,ev5 f ! di/ance1 ,eddie saw t "o man 0 tall & ?91 ! o!r %ort & fat4 8,x's ^? two m560 he exclaim$4 8,( c\rse4 ,b don't get s excit$10 ,te5a said4 8,!y're probably j com+ out fi%+40 8,com+ f :]e80 ,eddie ask$4 ,he knew !re 0 only "o place to come f--! %ack4 ,!n he rememb]$ t ,te5a didn't "k ab\t 8 visit to ! %ack ye/]day4 8,well1 anyway10 ,te5a said1 8let's get away f "h be=e !y come out to fi% ov] ?is s& b>4 ,!y sure w\ld ?9k we 7 spy+ on !m if !y f\nd u out "h4 ,i hope !y don't see u n[40 8,to f> away = !m to tell :o we are10 ,eddie assur$1 %>+ ,te5a's dislike ( meet+ ! two m5 aga94 ,eddie />t$ to turn back to r[+1 :5 ! fla% ( sun on metal caught 8 eye4 ,he knew at once t "o ( ! m5 0 c>ry+ t metal cyl9d] :i* he _h se5 ye/]day ev5+ 9 ! %ack1 & :i* he _h puzzl$ ov] s long4 ,he w\ld l to h /ay$ & gott5 ano!r look at x2 t is1 if ! two m5 7 com+ out to fi% ov] ! s& b> aga94 ,yet ,te5a's w>n+ ab\t gett+ away seem$ ! wis] move4 ,eddie b5t to ! o>s4 ,less ?an an h\r lat] he guid$ ! boat onto ! n>r[ bea* at ,c$> ,po9t4 8,phew60 he said1 mopp+ ! sweat f 8 =ehead4 8,t's a lot ( r[+40 8,x 0 a swell ride1 ,eddie10 ,te5a said4 8,i'll r[ back if y want40 8,y're a girl10 ,eddie said importantly1 :i* seem$ to close ! subject ab\t ,te5a do+ ! r[+4 ,b ,te5a did help him drag ! boat up onto ! bea* beyond ! high-wat] m>k4 8,n[ to f9d "s uranium10 ,eddie said1 pick+ up ! ,geig] c\nt]4 ,be=e />t+ inl& to explore ! po9t1 h[ev]1 he %ad$ 8 eyes & look$ back across ! bay4 ,9 ! f> di/ance he c\ld b>ely make out ,&]son's ,l&+4 ,q a few boats dott$ ! bay 9 betwe54 ,directly 9 l9e betwe5 ,c$> ,po9t & ,&]son's ,l&+ 0 ! light /rip ( wat] m>k+ ! subm]g$ s& b>4 ,!re 0 only "o boat ov] ! s& b>4 8,^? two fell[s are fi%+ 9 t same place aga9 today10 ,eddie said4 8,!y don't seem to le>n1 d !y80 8,let's n worry ab\t !m10 ,te5a said4 8,let's />t prospect+4 ,we promis$ to be home by f\r4 ,x's a long trip back40 ,! w9d-swept po9t (f]$ difficult hik+4 ,fall5 trees & tangles ( und]bru% sl[$ _! progress4 ,!y _h to keep on ! look\t = poison ivy4 8,if leaves !re are ?ree1 leave x be10 ,eddie said1 rememb]+ ! famili> w>n+4 ,!y gave wide b]? to ! irritat+ v9e :5ev] !y saw x4 ,eddie left ! ,geig] c\nt] swit*$ on mu* ( ! "t4 ,! way l$ ov] ! rocks4 ,!re 0 no way ( tell+1 except by ! ,geig] c\nt]1 if any ( ! rocks 7 radioactive4 ,! results1 h[ev]1 7 q disc\rag+4 ,except = ! fa9t backgr\nd c\nt1 ! ,geig] c\nt] gave no sign ( !re be+ any uranium-be>+ ore on ,c$> ,po9t4 ,aft] a tir+ h\r & a half ( h>d climb+ ov] & ar\nd ! outcropp+s1 ,te5a sugge/$ !y /op & eat _! picnic lun*4 8,might z well10 ,eddie said4 8,sure doesn't look l we're go+ to f9d any?+ out "h4 ,lot ( tr\ble = no?+1 huh80 8,oh1 no1 ,eddie10 ,te5a disagre$4 8,we're hav+ fun ar5't we8 ,aft] all1 y're suppos$ to h fun dur+ vacation40 8,be bett]1 ?\gh1 to h fun & f9d "s uranium1 too10 ,eddie said4 ,te5a laugh$4 8,y sure d want ev]y?+10 %e rem>k$4 ,eddie swit*$ (f ! ,geig] c\nt]4 ,!y f\nd "s %ade "u a w9d-twi/$ oak & ate _! lun*4 ,eddie glanc$ at ! sun4 8,x mu/ be "o o'clock10 he said4 8,guess we'd bett] be />t+ back4 ,! wat] w be a little *oppi] ?an ?is morn+4 ,won't be s easy to r[4 ,i don't want to get home late1 or my mom w scalp me40 8,let's g10 ,te5a said4 8,anyway1 we've done en\gh prospect+ out "h to "k !re's no uranium ar\nd40 ,on ! way back to ! boat ,eddie tri$ out ! ,geig] c\nt] 9 a c\ple ( places !y _h miss$4 ,! results 7 ! same--negative4 ,he put ! ,geig] c\nt] into ! bottom ( ! boat1 pu%$ ! boat into ! wat]1 & jump$ 9 aft] ,te5a4 ,a slight breeze angl+ 9 ov] ! b[ made r[+ difficult4 ,less ?an halfway across ! bay1 ,eddie's arms & %\ld]s began to a*e4 8,eddie10 ,te5a said f h] seat 9 ! /]n1 8:y don't ,i sit !re beside y & r[ ) "o ( ! o>s8 ,we've done x be=e4 ,j give me a little "t to get ! sw+ ( x40 8,o4,k410 ,eddie said tir$ly4 ,te5a mov$ up beside him on ! wide c5t] seat & took ! />bo>d o> h&le 9 bo? h&s4 ,aft] a c\ple m9utes ( spla%+ & go+ 9 circles1 !y settl$ d[n to pull+ toge!r smoo?ly & ev5ly4 8,hey1 ?is is ! be/ deal10 ,eddie admitt$4 8,y see10 ,te5a said1 8ev5 girls c be "s help40 ,eddie smil$4 ,z !y 7 approa*+ ! ne> end ( ! "u wat] s& b>1 he cran$ 8 neck ar\nd4 8,good10 he said1 8^? two m5 h gone1 s we won't run across !m aga940 ,!y kept pull+ toge!r4 ,! wat] turn$ light 9 color z ! sun reflect$ (f ! yell[i% s& ly+ a scant t5 feet b5ea? ! surface4 ,sudd5ly ,te5a /opp$ r[+4 8,eddie10 %e said1 8:at's t80 8,:at's :at80 ,eddie ask$1 re/+ on 8 o>4 8,t click+40 8,click+80 ,he he>d x !n1 almo/ b5ea? ! seat4 ,he glanc$ d[n4 8,yipes60 he exclaim$4 8,i--,i =got to swit* (f ! ,geig] c\nt] be=e ,i put x 9 ! boat4 ,boy1 if ! batt]y is weak1 ,dad'll--0 ,he rea*$ t[>d ! swit*4 ,8 h& /opp$ 9 mid-air4 ,! ne$le ( ! radioactivity gauge 0 quiv]+ f> ov] to ! "r1 & ! click+ :i* _h attract$ ,te5a's att5tion 0 mu* l\d] & fa/] ?an ! normal backgr\nd c\nt4 8,te5a6 ,!re--!re's radioactivity ar\nd "h60 8,9 ! wat]80 8,no4 ,maybe und]nea? ! wat]4 ,maybe on ! s& b>4 ,?is is a s5sitive ,geig] c\nt]4 ,x c\ld pick x up all "r40 8,hey1 ! click+'s gett+ weak aga910 ,te5a said4 8,we mu/ be drift+ away f :atev] is caus+ x10 ,eddie said4 ,he mov$ ! ,geig] c\nt] up onto ! seat betwe5 !m4 ,he put ! e>phones on4 8,n[ let's k9d ( circle ar\nd "h & try to pick x up aga940 ,) no?+ b a broad expanse ( wat] & no m>k] to guide !m1 try+ to locate ! spot :]e ! ,geig] c\nt] _h sputt]$ to life 0 any?+ b easy4 8,eddie1 ,i ?9k we're gett+ f>!r away all ! "t10 ,te5a said t5 m9utes lat]4 8,b if we don't f9d x n[ we might nev] f9d x aga910 ,eddie said4 8,j a little m4 ,pull easy on y\r o>4 ,we'll circle to ! left &--,hey1 !re x is60 ,! rapid click+ ?r\gh ! headset fill$ 8 e>s4 8,hold 'er /eady10 he said4 ,he crawl$ quickly to ! b[ ( ! boat1 lift$ ! heavy concrete an*or ov] ! gunwale1 & eas$ x d[n onto ! s& b> ) ! ,manila l9e atta*$4 8,!re4 ,we won't lose x n[10 he said4 8,lose :at1 ,eddie80 8,:atev]'s mak+ ! ,geig] c\nt] act up10 ,eddie said4 8,?is w\ld be an awful wet place to h to m9e = uranium10 ,te5a said4 8,x c\ld be done10 ,eddie insi/$4 8,boy1 we mu/ be "r ov] x4 ,li/5 to ^? clicks4 ,& look at t ne$le jump ar\nd40 ,te5a look$ ov] ! side4 8,x looks to me l pla9 old yell[ s& d[n !re10 %e said4 8,might be "s uranium-be>+ rock "u x10 ,eddie said4 ,he lean$ ov] 8 side ( ! boat4 ,al?\gh ! s& b> 0 n f> bel[1 ! wat] 0 some:at murky1 & ! ripples on ! surface made x difficult to see any?+ on ! bottom4 8,might be a t\gh job gett+ at x1 all "r1 b--0 ,! re/ ( ! words di$ 9 ,eddie's ?roat1 z a gl9t ( metal fla%$ 9 8 eyes4 8,te5a1 !re--!re's some?+ d[n on ! s& b>60 8,:at d y mean1 some?+80 8,some?+ bright4 ,l metal40 ,eddie put 8 face z close to ! wat] z he c\ld )\t fall+ out ( ! boat4 8,i c see x n[60 he exclaim$4 8,x's ab\t two feet long4 ,two or ?ree in*es ?ick4 ,x looks r\nd1 &--0 8,eddie60 ,te5a said4 8,! metal tube y saw t day 9 ! r[boat4 ,y "k1 ! day we came across ^? two m5 at ! cove4 ,rememb]80 8,i rememb]10 ,eddie said1 = ! ?\ght already _h sprung into 8 m9d4 ,n[ two o!r ?\ghts cr[d$ 9 beh9d x4 ,bo? 7 puzzl+ ?\ghts :i* left 8 m9d reel+4 ,:at 0 ! metal tube do+ !re bel[ on ! s& b>8 ,:y1 above all ?+s1 0 x s5d+ out radioactive rays8 ,,*apt] ,,n9e 8,eddie10 ,te5a said1 8:at are y go+ to d80 ,already ,eddie _h pull$ (f 8 %oes & ,t %irt4 ,he slipp$ (f 8 blue jeans1 & /ood 9 8 ba?+ trunks ready to dive ov]bo>d4 8,i'm go+ d[n & get t ?+10 he said4 8,:y80 8,some?+'s mighty crazy ab\t all ?is10 ,eddie said4 8,maybe s10 ,te5a agre$4 8,b ,eddie1 isn't x dang]\s8 ,if t ?+'s radioactive--0 8,no4 ,x's n t radioactive10 ,eddie said4 8,^? two m5 h&l$ x all "r4 ,x's "s special k9d ( a tube4 ,i'm go+ to take x to my dad40 8,:y80 8,:y60 ,eddie repeat$ impati5tly4 8,because x mu/ h some?+ to d ) t /ol5 radioisotope1 t's :y40 8,well1 y don't ne$ to get sore at me10 ,te5a scold$4 8,i'm n1 ,te5a10 ,eddie said1 calm+ d[n4 8,b ,i'm n go+ to take ! *ance ( leav+ ! ?+ out "h & maybe n be+ able to f9d x aga940 8,y sure x won't hurt y80 ,te5a ask$ aga94 8,i'm real sure10 ,eddie said4 8,i've se5 t ,geig] c\nt] act up a lot worse ov] a small sample ( uranium ore4 ,don't worry4 ,if x 0 really hot ) radiation1 ^? two m5 w\ldn't h be5 h&l+ x ei!r4 ,dad said t :oev] /ole ! isotope w\ld be an exp]t on kn[+ h[ to h&le x safely4 ,i'll be "r back40 ,illu/ration3 ,! cyl9d] 0 simple to locate4 ,eddie slipp$ ov] ! side & into ! wat]4 ,he took a brea?1 nos$ ov]1 & kick$ d[nw>d4 ,x 0 a %all[ dive comp>$ to "s he _h made :ile sk9 div+ = lob/]4 ,he /rok$ easily d[n to ! s& b>4 ,! bright metal cyl9d] 0 simple to locate ev5 9 ! murky wat]4 ,he grabb$ x ) 8 left h& & swam back to ! surface4 ,te5a took x f him & laid x 9 ! bottom ( ! boat4 ,!n %e help$ him climb 9 ov] ! /]n4 8,x doesn't look l any?+ v special1 does x80 %e said4 8,t's :y ,i ?\ght x 0 = hold+ a jo9t$ tr\t rod10 ,eddie said1 8b wat* ?is40 ,he swit*$ on ! ,geig] c\nt] & held ! probe ne> ! metal tube4 ,! e>phones began to sputt] ) cont9u\s clicks4 ,! indicator on ! dial jump$ f> =w>d4 8,x's a c9* !re's "s radioactive /uff inside10 ,eddie assur$4 8,let's g4 ,i've got to take ?is to my fa!r40 ,z !y drew )9 a qu>t] ( a mile ( ,&]son's ,l&+1 ,te5a said1 8,eddie1 :at if ^? two m5 %\ld be ar\nd ! boat dock & see u ) ?is tube80 ,eddie look$ ov] 8 %\ld]4 ,he saw only "o p]son on ! l&+4 ,t w\ld probably be ,mr4 ,&]son4 8,i'm sure !y've already turn$ 9 _! boat & gone on home10 ,eddie said1 8b j to be safe1 we'll d ?is40 ,he pick$ up 8 blue jeans :i* he _h left wadd$ up 9 ! bottom ( ! boat1 z he hadn't want$ to put !m back on ov] 8 wet trunks4 ,he pu%$ ! metal tube into "o ( ! empty legs4 ,!n he wrapp$ ! excess mat]ial ar\nd x4 8,!re10 he said1 satisfi$1 8no "o c see x n[40 ,mr4 ,&]son came out to meet !m z !y eas$ ! r[boat g5tly up to ! dock4 8,well1 h[ did x g80 he ask$4 8,f9d any atoms80 ,eddie smil$4 8,ev]y?+ is made ( atoms1 ,mr4 ,&]son10 he expla9$4 8,we 7 look+ = uranium4 ,t's a special k9d40 8,i guess x's a special1 all "r10 ! boat-own] agre$1 8! way x c bl[ ?+s to smi!re5s40 ,eddie didn't argue1 b he wi%$ p w\ld /op ?9k+ t all radioactive mat]ials 7 us$ to bl[ ?+s up4 ,he suppos$1 h[ev]1 t s9ce ! atomic bombs 7 :at really />t$ :at came to be call$ ! ,atomic ,age1 x w\ld take "s "t to educate ! public to ! fact t atomic p[] 0 a mu* great] build] ?an a de/roy]4 ,anyway1 at ! mom5t he didn't want to get into a long discussion ab\t x4 8,we didn't f9d any uranium1 ,mr4 ,&]son10 he said4 8,b we _h a swell trip10 ,te5a put 94 8,?anks = lett+ u use ! boat40 8,y e>n$ x10 ,mr4 ,&]son rem9d$ !m4 8,by ! way1 ^? two fell[s :o h be5 fi%+ ov] ! s& b> came 9 a :ile ago4 ,didn't cat* a ?+4 ,sure a /ubborn pair1 ar5't !y80 8,maybe !y j don't l to clean fi%10 ,eddie said4 ,b he 0 glad ,mr4 ,&]son _h m5tion$ ! m54 ,x add$ evid5ce to 8 belief t !y w]5't ! lea/ bit int]e/$ 9 fi%+1 anyway4 ,aft] clean+ up ! boat1 he & ,te5a />t$ along ! dock4 ,eddie c>ri$ ! metal tube roll$ up 9 8 blue jeans4 8,any "t y want a boat10 ,mr4 ,&]son said1 z !y /epp$ (f ! dock & />t$ across ! bea* t[>d home1 8y're always welcome to e>n x ! same way40 8,?anks10 ,eddie call$ back4 8,we may ne$ "o aga9 be=e long40 ,x 0 a little pa/ ?ree o'clock :5 !y rea*$ ,eddie's h\se4 8,y c]ta9ly made x 9 good "t10 8 "m said4 8,any luck80 8,n at ,c$> ,po9t10 ,eddie said4 8,b1 ,mom1 we f\nd some?+ else4 ,:]e's ,dad80 8,he's n home f s*ool yet10 8 "m said4 8,:at's t y h wrapp$ up 9 y\r jeans80 ,eddie told h] quickly1 )\t go+ into all ( ! backgr\nd4 8,y ?9k x has some?+ to d ) ! /ol5 radioisotope80 8 "m ask$ 9 disbelief1 :5 he _h f9i%$4 8,i don't "k1 ,mom10 ,eddie said4 8,b :y w\ld x be radioactive80 8,y hav5't op5$ x1 h y80 8,no4 ,x's seal$ tight10 ,eddie said4 8,i--,i ?\ght ,dad %\ld d t40 8,y're "r4 ,y run x ov] to s*ool & f9d y\r fa!r40 ,te5a spoke up = ! fir/ "t4 8,eddie1 if t tube really belongs out !re & we took x1 we--we might get 9 tr\ble40 8,belongs out !re80 ,eddie ask$4 8,maybe ! ,coa/ ,gu>d is us+ x = "s k9d ( a te/ or some?+10 ,te5a said4 ,t 0 a possibility :i* hadn't occurr$ to ,eddie1 yet he quickly dismiss$ x f 8 m9d4 ,! two m5 :o _h plant$ x out on ! s& b> c]ta9ly _h no?+ to d ) ! ,coa/ ,gu>d or any?+ l t4 ,nor w\ld x h be5 9 ! %ack ye/]day ev5+4 8,n a *ance10 he said4 8,anyway1 ,i'm go+ to take x ov] = ,dad to see40 8,i'll call him & tell him y're on y\r way10 8 "m said4 8,y want to g along1 ,te5a80 ,eddie ask$4 8,:at a "q10 ,te5a said4 8,sure1 ,i want to g40 8,eddie10 8 "m rem9d$ him1 8y c't g ov] to s*ool 9 y\r swim trunks4 ,g slip on "s d5ims40 ,eddie hurri$ to 8 room & put on "s fre%ly laund]$ d5ims4 ,!n1 leav+ ! metal tube /ill wrapp$ 9 ! blue jeans1 he & ,te5a />t$ d[n ! /reet t[>d ! college campus4 ,mr4 ,taylor 0 wait+ = !m 9 front ( ! nucle>-sci5ce build+4 ,he seem$ /rangely excit$4 ,eddie wond]$ :at 8 "m _h said ov] ! telephone4 8,let me take x1 son10 ,mr4 ,taylor said1 rea*+ out = ! blue jeans 9 :i* ! metal cyl9d] 0 wrapp$4 ,he turn$ to g inside4 8,c we come ) y1 ,dad80 ,eddie ask$ quickly4 8,( c\rse1 ( c\rse10 8 fa!r said ov] 8 %\ld]4 8,come along4 ,if ?is is any?+ l y\r "m said1 !re'll be a lot ( que/ions to ask40 ,eddie's fa!r l$ !m ?r\gh 8 (fice & on into a dress+ room :]e !y pull$ on specially treat$ :ite cov]alls1 gloves1 & hoods :i* fitt$ ov] _! heads4 ,ea* hood _h a small glass w9d[ = look+ out4 8,j an extra precaution10 ,eddie's fa!r said4 8,really n necess>y1 b we simply don't take any *ances ) possible /ray radiation40 ,!y w5t on into ! l>ge laboratory4 ,eddie _h be5 !re be=e4 ,! sight ( ! fanta/ically %ap$ app>atus us$ 9 v>i\s atomic-rese>* te/s always excit$ him4 ,!re 7 sev]al m5 9 ! room4 ,ea* 0 dress$ 9 :ite cov]all-type protective suits simil> to ^? he & ,te5a & ,mr4 ,taylor wore4 ,9 ! c5t] ( ! laboratory /ood a squ>e boo? ) ?ick walls & a glass w9d[ 9 ! front wall4 ,eddie knew ! walls 7 lead-l9$1 & ! glass 0 a ?ick1 specially treat$ type4 ,all exp]im5ts :i* 7 ! lea/ bit haz>d\s 7 conduct$ inside ( t six-by-six-foot boo?4 ,! radioactive mat]ials 7 h&l$ remotely by a /range /eel-f+]$ device op]at$ by a man :o /ood safely outside ( ! boo?4 ,absolutely no *ances 7 tak5 9 ! h&l+ ( radioactive mat]ials4 ,eddie's fa!r inspect$ ! tube closely1 z he w5t t[>d "o ( ! _m complex devices t fill$ ! laboratory4 8,x's a c>eful job ( ma*9+ on ?is tube10 he said4 8,surely n ! "w ( amateurs4 ,seems to be a lead alloy ( "s k9d4 ,probably work$ out 9 ?ickness & am\nt ( lead 9 ! alloy s z to all[ j ! "r am\nt ( radioactive rays to leak ?r\gh )\t be+ dang]\s40 ,he flick$ sev]al swit*es & turn$ v>i\s knobs on ! in/rum5t "u :i* he _h plac$ ! tube4 ,eddie wat*$ dial ne$les quiv] & lights fla%1 wi%+ he knew :at !y meant4 8,all "r10 8 fa!r said1 turn+ (f ! ma*9e1 8y're exactly "r4 ,!re's radioactivity inside t tube4 ,pl5ty ( x1 ,i imag9e4 ,yet1 only en\gh ( x is all[$ to leak out to furni% a trac]4 ,x 0 a regul> beacon lead+ y "r to x ) y\r ,geig] c\nt]40 8,dad1 y mean--0 8,let's hold ! que/ions a :ile1 ,eddie10 ,mr4 ,taylor int]rupt$4 8,we've got a few te/s to run on ?is fir/4 ,!re are "s ?+s we ne$ to f9d out = sure40 ,he call$ to "o ( ! "y m5 work+ at ! f> side ( ! room4 ,!y talk$ = a few mom5ts :ile ! laboratory work] inspect$ ! cyl9d] closely4 ,!n he took x inside ! %ield$ boo? & laid x on ! table b5ea? ! /range contraption ) ! protrud+ metal arms & p9c]s4 ,sev]al o!r pieces ( te/+ app>atus 7 plac$ on ! table4 ,!n he came back outside1 clos+ ! door c>efully beh9d him4 8,all "r1 ,mr4 ,taylor10 ! "y te*nician said1 8we'll see :at we c d ) x40 ,he slipp$ 8 h&s into ! grips :i* op]at$ ! metal f+]s on ! f> side ( ! ?ick1 protective glass ?r\gh :i* !y wat*$4 ,eddie & ,te5a look$ on fasc9at$ z1 controll$ f outside1 ! me*anical clamps on ! metal arms inside pick$ up ! tube4 ,!n wr5*like metal f+]s wrapp$ ar\nd "o seal$ end4 ,aft] mu* twi/+ & pry+1 ! tight fitt$ cap came (f4 8,s f>1 s good10 ! "y sci5ti/ said4 8,n[ let's see :at's inside40 ,he mov$ 8 own h&s & ! me*anical f+]s inside tipp$ ! tube on its end4 ,a small black capsule slid out onto ! table4 ,x 0 ab\t ! size ( a dime-/ore bean%oot]4 ,! metal f+]s kept work+ until ! cap seal+ ! small black capsule 0 remov$4 ,:5 x 0 tipp$ on end a yell[i% p[d] trickl$ out into a small b[l :i* _h be5 plac$ on ! table inside4 ,! metal f+]s cont9u$ work+4 ,!y plac$ ! small b[l ) ! yell[ cont5ts "u "o in/rum5t aft] ano!r4 ,knobs 7 turn$ & read+s 7 jott$ d[n4 ,aft] ! f9al te/ 0 made1 ,eddie's fa!r /udi$ ! results c>efully4 ,he comp>$ !m ) ! =mulas on a piece ( pap] he _h br\ght f 8 (fice4 ,:ile wait+ sil5tly1 ,eddie's gaze w5t back to ! l>ge uncapp$ silv]-gray cyl9d] /ill ly+ inside on ! table4 ,:at appe>$ to be a corn] ( a %eet ( pap] jutt$ slightly out ( ! op5 end4 8,looks l !re's some?+ else inside ( t tube10 he said to ! "y te*nician beside him4 ,talk+ b5ea? 8 hood muffl$ 8 words1 yet ! sci5ti/ seem$ to h no tr\ble und]/&+4 8,by ,george1 y're "r10 he said4 ,he rea*$ once m = ! prop] grip r+s & lev]s to op]ate ! robot f+]s inside4 8,let's see :at x is40 ,he tipp$ ! tube s ! op5 end 0 d[n1 !n %ook x4 ,a l>ge piece ( roll$-up pap] dropp$ out4 ,z x fell to ! table1 x unroll$ "p way--en\gh1 at lea/1 = ,eddie to see ! blue color ( its inside surface4 ,he also saw ! :ite m>k+s4 8,bluepr9ts60 he cri$4 ,at ! ^w1 8 fa!r look$ up f 8 own busy figur+4 8,y're "r10 he said4 8,!y sure are bluepr9ts4 ,y kids c]ta9ly hit ^u some?+ big4 ,mighty big40 8,:at d y mean1 ,dad80 ,eddie wond]$4 8,!re's no d\bt ab\t x10 8 fa!r said firmly4 8,! mat]ial t came out ( ! small black capsule inside ( t tube is a "p ( ! /ol5 radioisotope4 ,x's mix$ 9 ) "s o!r mat]ial to weak5 its p[]4 ,b ,i'm c]ta9 ! radioactivity comes f small am\nts ( our isotope40 8,!n we've f\nd ! /ol5 isotope60 ,eddie exclaim$4 ,al?\gh ! idea _h occurr$ to him be=e1 he>+ ! pro( ( x 0 no less />tl+4 8,only "p ( x10 8 fa!r rem9d$ him4 ,!n he turn$ t[>d ,te5a4 8,unless ,i miss my guess1 ^? bluepr9ts are "s ( ! ones miss+ f ,acme ,aircraft ,company40 ,?is seem$ %e] fantasy1 l some?+ t might happ5 9 a re/less dream aft] eat+ too mu* ice cream & lob/] salad4 8,come on1 kids10 ,mr4 ,taylor prompt$1 lead+ !m back t[>d 8 (fice4 8,!re's a lot to be done4 ,& unless ,i miss my guess1 x mu/ be done quickly--or we might be too late40 ,,*apt] ,,t5 ,once back inside ( 8 (fice1 ,mr4 ,taylor motion$ = ,eddie & ,te5a to be seat$4 ,!n he pick$ up ! phone & made two quick calls4 ,!y also mu/ h be5 local calls1 ,eddie ?\ght1 = )9 five m9utes two m5 hurri$ into ! (fice4 ,bo? 7 dress$ 9 normal summ] bus9ess clo!s4 ,eddie's fa!r introduc$ ! d>k-hair$ "o 9 ! light-tan suit z ,mr4 ,paul ,evans ( ! ,f$]al ,bureau ( ,inve/igation4 ,! o!r man 0 tall1 light-hair$1 & blue-ey$4 ,8 "n 0 ,walt] ,jamison4 ,he 0 f ! ,drake ,ridge atomic reactor4 ,eddie's fa!r didn't expla9 :at ei!r man 0 do+ !re1 b ,eddie _h no d\bts t _! ma9 int]e/ 0 recov]y ( ! /ol5 radioisotope4 ,probably !y _h be5 ar\nd ! ,oceanview ,college campus ev] s9ce ! !ft _h tak5 place4 8,all "r1 ,eddie10 ,mr4 ,taylor said aft] ! two m5 sat d[n4 8,/>t f ! beg9n+ & give u ! :ole /ory4 ,don't leave any?+ out4 ,te5a1 y see t he doesn't40 ,eddie didn't "k exactly :at 8 fa!r meant by ! :ole /ory4 ,b he />t$ ) ! day :5 he & ,te5a _h come ^u ! two m5 at ! cove4 ,he told ab\t _! some:at /range actions1 & ! puzzl+ sight ( ! seal$ metal tube ly+ 9 ! bottom ( ! r[boat4 ,he m5tion$ h[ ! m5 _h n _h x ) !m :5 !y return$ ! boat to ,&]son's ,l&+ a :ile lat]4 ,he told ab\t see+ ! m5 fi%+ out ov] ! s& b> ! ,saturday aft] t1 & aga9 today4 ,!n1 to ,te5a's surprise1 he br\ght 9 ye/]day's lone hike out to ! cove4 ,he told ( 8 curiosity ov] ! tracks lead+ to ! ab&on$ fi%]man's %ack set back f ! top ( ! bluff1 & h[ he _h be5 greatly surpris$1 at peek+ ?r\gh ! crack 9 ! door1 to see ! *ubby man nam$ ,roy ,b5ton inside1 z well z a bright metal cyl9d]--l ! "o !y _h j tak5 ap>t 9 ! laboratory--/&+ 9 a corn] ( ! %ack4 8,probably x 0 ! same tube y j took ap>t10 ,eddie said4 8,:5 ,te5a & ,i 7 r[+ out to ,c$> ,po9t ?is morn+1 we saw ! two m5 com+ d[n ! bluff c>ry+ some?+ %9y4 ,lat]1 look+ back f ,c$> ,po9t1 we saw !m an*or$ ov] ! s& b>4 ,probably ov] ! same place we f\nd ! cyl9d]40 8,x figures10 ,mr4 ,evans1 ! ,,fbi man said4 8,= ! sake ( argum5t1 let's say ! two m5 are spies4 ,c\ld be ev5 m ?an two "h at ! college or work+ at ,acme ,aircraft40 8,spies60 ,te5a gasp$ 9 disbelief4 8,maybe !y're bo? hid+ at ! %ack10 ,eddie said excit$ly4 8,y'd bett] g arre/ !m60 8,n s fa/10 ,mr4 ,evans said4 8,arre/+ !m isn't ne>ly s important z f9d+ out :]e ! rema9d] ( ! radioisotope is hidd54 ,gett+ hold ( ! re/ ( ^? miss+ bluepr9ts also is mu* m important ?an arre/+ two m540 8,9 fact10 ,mr4 ,jamison add$1 8arre/+ !m too e>ly might tip (f ! :ole op]ation1 & ev]yone w\ld run = cov] be=e we c\ld p9 any?+ d[n40 ,j !n ,te5a's fa!r came hurry+ into ! (fice4 8,sorry ,i c\ldn't get "h soon]1 ,/eve10 he said to ,mr4 ,taylor1 8b we 7 try+ to locate ano!r v important set ( bluepr9ts4 ,m secret guidance-sy/em p>ts4 ,i absolutely c't figure h[ ^? bluepr9ts c keep disappe>+1 &--0 ,eddie's fa!r held out ! roll$-up bluepr9ts :i* _h be5 inside ! metal tube4 8,^! w\ldn't happ5 to be ! ones1 w\ld !y1 ,tom80 he said4 ,"o glance1 & ,mr4 ,ross's face took on an expression ( mix$ pleasure & amazem5t4 8,!y c]ta9ly are60 he exclaim$4 8,b h[--0 ,! ,,fbi man int]rupt$4 ,he br\ght ,te5a's fa!r up to date on ! /ory ?us f>4 ,mr4 ,ross look$ ov] t[>d ,te5a & ,eddie4 ,z pleas$ z he seem$ ov] ! recov]y ( at lea/ "p ( ! miss+ bluepr9ts1 he appe>$ ev5 m conc]n$ ov] some?+ else4 8,if ,i _h _h any idea t y two 7 gett+ mix$ up 9 any?+ l ?is10 he said1 8,i'd h insi/$ t y /ay home & play scrabble or *eck]s or some?+ safe40 8,we--we w]5't mix$ up 9 any?+1 ,mr4 ,ross10 ,eddie said quickly4 8,at lea/1 we sure didn't "k we 71 &--0 8,i believe10 ! ,,fbi man cut 91 8t we'd bett] get d[n to cases4 ,we may n h mu* "t to solve ?is problem4 ,let's see :at we h to g on ?us f>4 ,!n we'll try to plan our next move40 ,eddie li/5$ z ,mr4 ,evans review$ ! situation po9t by po9t4 ,two m5--! "o call$ ,simms & ! o!r kn[n z ,roy ,b5ton--7 involv$ 9 /eal+ ! bluepr9ts & ! radioisotope4 ,mr4 ,evans didn't seem at all worri$ ab\t captur+ !m :5 ! "t 0 ripe4 ,on ea* ( ! la/ ?ree ,saturdays1 includ+ today1 ,eddie & ,te5a _h se5 !m fi%+1 or pret5d+ to be fi%+1 ov] ! s& b> 9 ,moon ,bay4 8,we might assume1 !n10 ! ,,fbi man said1 8t on ! pa/ two ,saturdays ! m5's real purpose = go+ out 9 ! boat 0 to drop o!r metal tubes ov]bo>d4 ,o!r tubes simil> to ?is "o40 8,& rememb]10 ,mr4 ,taylor said1 8! fir/ "t ,eddie & ,te5a saw !m 0 ! v ,saturday aft] ! isotope 0 /ol5 f ! college40 8,"r10 ,mr4 ,jamison said4 8,s10 ! ,,fbi man pick$ up ! l9e ( ?\ght1 8! "q is :y ! m5 dropp$ ! metal tubes out on ! s& b>4 ,x's a fairly safe bet t ea* tube conta9$ a little ( ! radioactive mat]ial1 plus o!r bluepr9ts4 ,let's assume t ! reason beh9d ! :ole ?+ is to smuggle ! bluepr9ts out ( ! c\ntry40 8,t w\ld g = ! isotope1 too10 ! man f ,drake ,ridge said4 8,x 0 a new secret isotope1 y "k4 ,v>i\s =eign gov]nm5ts w\ld l to get _! h&s on x40 8,b ! m5 didn't talk l =eign]s10 ,eddie said4 8,( c\rse1 !y w\ldn't10 ,mr4 ,evans said4 8,might n ev5 be =eign]s4 ,un=tunately1 !re are a few gre$y p :o w d almo/ any?+ = money40 8,ev5 spy80 ,te5a said1 agha/4 8,ev5 spy10 ,mr4 ,evans said4 8,b :at we ne$ to f9d out is h[ anyone is manag+ to smuggle ! /uff out ( "h40 8,probably by boat10 ,mr4 ,jamison said4 8,! ,coa/ ,gu>d keeps close tabs on all boat+10 ,mr4 ,evans said4 8,& ! bay's too %all[ to all[ ocean-go+ %ips inside40 ,a ?\ght sprang into ,eddie's m9d4 8,mr4 ,evans10 he said1 8,i f\nd a rubb] /rap on ! bea* la/ week4 ,x look$ l a /rap brok5 (f a swim f9 or some?+ l t4 ,x--x has "s =eign pr9t+ on x4 ,i h x at home40 ,8 ann\ncem5t _h an imm$iate effect4 8,t %\ld give u a real clue10 ! ,,fbi man said quickly4 8,x makes s5se1 too1 t ! cyl9d]s w\ld be recov]$ by sk9 div]s4 ,p]haps =eign div]s simil> to our own frogm540 8,x w\ld h to be done aft] d>k10 ,mr4 ,ross said4 8,o!rwise !y w\ld be se54 ,& h[ c\ld anyone locate a small cyl9d] l t "u t5 feet ( wat] at night40 8,i ?9k ,i c answ] t10 ,eddie's fa!r said4 8,9 fact1 ,eddie & ,te5a f\nd t answ]4 ,x c\ld be locat$ ) a ,geig] c\nt]40 8,t's x10 ! ,,fbi man agre$4 8,= in/ance1 !y c\ld use a rubb] boat to sneak 9 "u cov] ( d>kness4 ,!y w\ld "k ! approximate location ( ! cyl9d]40 8,h[80 ,te5a's fa!r ask$4 8,by "s e/abli%$ plan4 ,probably by triangulation4 ,!y c\ld use ! ligh?\se = "o ref]5ce po9t4 ,p]haps "s o!r signal light on %ore w\ld give !m a second po9t40 ,quickly1 ,eddie told him ab\t see+ ! heavy-duty batt]y lant]n 9 ! %ack4 8,!y might use x = a signal light10 he said4 8,v possible10 ,mr4 ,evans agre$4 8,anyway1 a little quick figur+ w\ld locate ! spot on ! s& b> :]e ! m5 _h dropp$ ! cyl9d]4 ,a ,geig] c\nt] c\ld p9po9t x quickly4 ,! div] w\ld recov] ! cyl9d]1 climb into 8 rubb] boat1 & paddle back out--0 ,8 words dw9dl$ away to ?\ghtfulness4 8,paddle back out to :at80 ,! man f ,drake ,ridge voic$ ! ?\ght t 0 9 all _! m9ds4 ,eddie wond]$ if ! same answ] t imm$iately occurr$ to him 0 %>$ by ! o!rs4 ,al?\gh soon aft] ! article _h appe>$ 9 ! ,oceanview newspap]s mo/ read]s _h disc>d$ x z no?+ m ?an an unf\nd$ rumor1 ,eddie _h nev] q =gott5 x4 ,nor _h ! ,coa/ ,gu>d (ficially )drawn its belief ( :at _h be5 sight$ by its rad> equipm5t t ,saturday night two weeks ago4 ,n[ !re seem$ no argum5t4 ,x 01 9 fact1 ! only logical me?od by :i* ! isotope & ! plans c\ld be smuggl$ away )\t detection4 8,! subm>9e60 ,eddie exclaim$4 ,,*apt] ,,elev5 ,! p>ts ( ! my/]i\s jigsaw puzzle _h begun to fit into a r\gh patt]n1 ) ,eddie & ,te5a furni%+ mo/ ( ! key pieces4 ,mr4 ,evans glanc$ at 8 wri/ wat*4 8,x's n[ a qu>t] aft] five10 he said4 8,! suppos$ subm>9e sight+ took place on a ,saturday night two weeks ago4 ,t same day ,eddie & ,te5a saw ! m5 out ov] ! s& b>4 ,!y saw !m aga9 la/ ,saturday4 ,probably ano!r pickup took place t night4 ,x's logical1 !re=e1 to assume t ! ?ird pickup is s*$ul$ = tonight4 ,t doesn't give u mu* "t to set our trap40 8,y're ! boss10 ,mr4 ,taylor said4 8,y tell u :at y want u to d40 8,t's "r10 ,te5a's fa!r said anxi\sly4 8,i c't ov]emphasize h[ important x is t ^? bluepr9ts don't get out ( ?is c\ntry40 8,fir/ ,i h sev]al urg5t phone calls to make10 ! ,,fbi man said quickly4 8,mu/ get ! :eels turn+ at once40 8,!re's a phone 9 ! empty (fice next door10 ,mr4 ,taylor volunte]$4 8,help y\rself40 ,:ile ! f$]al inve/igator 0 9 ! next room telephon+1 ,mr4 ,taylor1 ,mr4 ,ross1 & ! man f ,drake ,ridge talk$ ov] :at !y knew s f>4 8,app>5tly :at we h to g on10 ,eddie's fa!r said1 8are "s assort$ guesses1 none ( :i* may prove to be positive facts40 8,well1 guesses w h to d = ! mom5t10 ,mr4 ,ross said4 8,we h to h a />t+ po9t40 8,all "r10 ,mr4 ,taylor agre$1 8"h's :at we h4 ,two m5 seem responsible = bo? ! /ol5 isotope & ! miss+ bluepr9ts4 ,eddie & ,te5a bo? saw ! tall "o call$ ,simms on ! college campus ab\t a week ago4 ,he mu/ be famili> ) our atomic-rese>* dep>tm5t 9 ord] to "k ( ! deliv]y1 & to plan a me?od = /eal+ ! isotope4 ,9 t case1 he %\ldn't be difficult to trace40 8,dad10 ,eddie said sudd5ly1 8doesn't ev]yone :o works ar\nd ! atomic lab h an id5tification badge ) 8 picture on x80 8,y're absolutely "r10 8 fa!r said1 gett+ up quickly4 8,& we h duplicates ( ! pictures "r "h 9 our files40 ,he pull$ a ?ick album f a /eel draw]4 ,he ?umb$ ?r\gh to ! #8,s' section & op5$ x 9 front ( ,te5a & ,eddie4 8,t's him60 ,eddie said1 po9t+ almo/ imm$iately to ! picture ( ! ?9-fac$ man4 ,8 "n 0 li/$ z ,h>vey ,simms4 ,und]nea? ! photo ! man's job title 0 typ$ 9 a s+le ^w--,cu/odian4 8,n[ ,i recognize him10 ,mr4 ,taylor said4 8,i've se5 him work+ ar\nd4 ,a quiet p]son4 ,! k9d y h>dly notice40 8,t's ! way he w\ld want x to be10 ,mr4 ,ross said4 ,te5a & ,eddie w5t ?r\gh ! entire book ( pictures )\t recogniz+ any z ! man call$ ,roy ,b5ton4 ,mr4 ,ross pick$ up ! telephone & call$ ! ,acme ,aircraft ,company p]sonnel dep>tm5t4 ,he gave ,roy ,b5ton's "n & ! description ,eddie & ,te5a _h furni%$4 8,see if y c get a l9e on su* a p]son10 ,mr4 ,ross in/ruct$ ov] ! telephone4 8,call me back z soon z y c40 ,he gave ! numb]1 & hung up4 8,n[1 !n10 ,eddie's fa!r pick$ up ! conv]sation aga91 8aft] manag+ to /eal c]ta9 bluepr9ts dur+ ! week1 ! m5 w\ld naturally pick ,saturday--_! day (f--to s*$ule ! pickups by ! subm>9e4 ,we're /ill assum+1 ( c\rse1 t a subm>9e actually is be+ us$4 ,x seems ! only logical means ( gett+ 9 & out pa/ our al]t ,coa/ ,gu>d4 ,by tim+ ! patrols1 !y w\ld "k :5 to surface4 ,!y w\ld "k h[ long to all[ = _! div]s to r[ into ! bay1 get ! tube1 & return to ! sub be=e ! patrol d\bl$ back4 ,x's possible1 ev51 t ! subm>9e c>ries a small seaplane4 ,aft] return+ to unpatroll$ wat]1 !y c\ld laun* ! seaplane to deliv] ! cyl9d] to "s surface vessel1 or possibly to an isl& or o!r l& base4 ,! subm>9e itself probably /ays ar\nd = o!r pickups40 8,^? are possibilities10 ,mr4 ,ross admitt$4 8,i m5tion x10 ,eddie's fa!r said1 8only because1 if x's true1 ! tubes :i* h be5 pick$ up (f ! s& b> are already deliv]$4 ,9 t case1 y\r bluepr9ts & my radioisotope are no long] secrets4 ,if n1 h[ev]1 bo? /ill mu/ be on ! subm>9e4 ,no sub c\ld %uttle back & =? to a =eign %ore fa/ en\gh to make deliv]y & get back )9 a week's "t4 ,?is is only a guess1 b !y may lie a few miles (f%ore dur+ ! week z a safety measure & to cons]ve fuel4 ,!y come 9 & surface j outside ! bay ea* ,saturday1 "u cov] ( d>kness4 ,:5 !y h ev]y?+ !y're aft]1 !y'll head home4 ,s9ce !y already h suffici5t samples ( ! isotope1 my guess is t !y are n[ aft] ! f9al bluepr9ts4 ,! small samples ( ! isotope are n[ us$ only z trac]s to help locate ! subm]g$ cyl9d]s40 ,te5a's fa!r seem$ imm5sely impress$ by ,mr4 ,taylor's reason+4 8,x s happ5s10 he said1 8t ! bluepr9ts we discov]$ miss+ today--add$ to ! o!rs--complete ! entire lay\t ( our new secret missile-guidance sy/em4 ,9 ! h&s ( an unfri5dly nation1 !re's no tell+ to :at improp] use ! guidance sy/em might be put40 8,!n10 ,mr4 ,jamison said1 8?is mu/ be ! end ( _! assignm5t--tonight's deliv]y ( ! f9al bluepr9ts40 8,t's "r10 ,eddie's fa!r said4 8,t's h[ x w\ld appe>40 ,mr4 ,evans came back into ! room4 8,i've be5 arrang+ a little surprise p>ty10 he said1 ) a r t5se smile4 8,i c\ldn't help b ov]he> y1 ,mr4 ,taylor1 :ile ,i 0 wait+ = "o ( my calls4 ,i ?9k y've got t subm>9e angle pretty well figur$ out40 8,i sp5t a hit* 9 ! ,navy10 ,eddie's fa!r said1 smil+4 8,op]at+ seago+ vessels--surface or subsurface--falls into a g5]al patt]n40 8,true10 ,mr4 ,evans agre$1 8& ,i d\bt v mu* t any subm>9e refuel+ tank] w\ld be hang+ ar\nd ev5 sev]al hundr$ miles out4 ,l aircraft traffic1 %ipp+ is run pretty well accord+ to s*$ule4 ,a w&]+ tank] w\ld simply invite curiosity4 ,b be t z x may1 ! imm$iate task is to capture t subm>9e--if subm>9e !re is4 ,we're /ill go+ on guesses40 8,:at d y want u to d80 ,mr4 ,taylor ask$4 8,x won't be necess>y = any ( y to d any?+10 ! ,,fbi man said4 8,i've l9$ up all ! assi/ance ne$$4 ,ev]y?+ is set40 8,y're go+ to arre/ ^? two m51 ar5't y80 ,eddie blurt$ out4 8,!y--!y're traitors60 8,!y won't g anyplace10 ,mr4 ,evans assur$ him4 8,! important ?+ "r n[ is t we don't tip (f our plans4 ,possibly !y h v>i\s signals work$ out ) ! subm>9e4 ,?+s h to g "r on s*$ule1 or we might lose ! :ole battle4 ,b5ton & ,simms are small fi% & c be l&$ any "t we want4 ,! big ?+ is ! deliv]y ( ^? bluepr9ts & ! isotope4 ,t's :at we've got to /op40 ,! telephone on ,mr4 ,taylor's desk rang4 8,x's = y1 ,tom10 he said1 h&+ ! in/rum5t to ,te5a's fa!r4 8,file cl]k80 ,mr4 ,ross said1 aft] li/5+ a few seconds4 8,h[ ab\t t6 ,?anks4 ,no1 don't say a ^w to anyone40 ,he hung up1 & turn$ to ! ,,fbi man4 8,well1 !re's y\r ,roy ,b5ton4 ,a file cl]k4 ,new man4 ,be5 at ,acme j a little ov] a mon?4 ,c't figure1 ?\gh1 h[ he manag$ to get into ! secret bluepr9t files4 ,!y're kept lock$ up40 8,pr(essional spies h +5i\s ways ( work+10 ,mr4 ,evans said4 8,anyway1 x's pretty pla9 n[ h[ bo? ! radioisotope & ! bluepr9ts happ5$ to disappe>4 ,"o ?+'s equally c]ta94 ,?is is all "p ( a c>efully work$ out plan4 ,! job n[ is to /op t plan--& /op x tonight40 8,oh1 ,i'm fright5$10 ,te5a said4 8,spies1 & subm>9es1 &--&--0 8,aw1 ,te5a10 ,eddie said1 8!re's no?+ to be afraid (40 ,yet he _h to clasp 8 own h&s tightly toge!r to keep !m f %ak+4 8,all "r1 ev]ybody10 ,mr4 ,evans said1 look+ at 8 wat*1 8)9 an h\r ev]y?+ w be set up4 ,i'm n free to reveal our plan4 ,h[ev]1 s9ce y are all involv$ 9 ?is ?+1 ,i h no objection to y\r witness+ ! outcome4 ,if an outcome !re is4 ,rememb]1 we're go+ prim>ily on guesses4 ,s1 if y want to drive quietly out to ! ligh?\se1 ,i've arrang$--0 8,ligh?\se60 ,eddie exclaim$4 8,we "k ,capta9 ,daniels4 ,he's a good fri5d ( ours40 8,i "k10 ,mr4 ,evans said4 8,i talk$ to him on ! phone4 ,he's a ,coa/ ,gu>d man1 y "k4 ,& ! ,coa/ ,gu>d is mighty important to tonight's activity4 ,y might f9d :at goes on out !re1 & 9 ! bay1 extremely int]e/+ to wat*40 8,c ,te5a & ,i g80 ,eddie ask$ anxi\sly4 8,( c\rse10 ,mr4 ,evans said4 8,)\t y two1 we w\ldn't h a ?+ to be work+ on1 w\ld we80 ,eddie flu%$ ) pride4 8,( c\rse10 ! ,,fbi man w5t on1 8y w h to ask y\r p>5ts40 ,eddie look$ plead+ly at 8 fa!r4 ,nei!r ,mr4 ,taylor nor ,mr4 ,ross voic$ any objection4 8,all "r10 ,mr4 ,evans said1 ris+1 8!re's no "t to wa/e4 ,i'll see y folks a little lat]40 ,he left ! (fice4 ,! o!rs sat = a mom5t z ?\gh try+ to cat* _! brea?s ov] ! rapid developm5ts ( ! pa/ h\rs4 ,mr4 ,jamison excus$ himself to report back to ,drake ,ridge4 8,tom10 ,eddie's fa!r said f9ally1 8we'd bett] call our wives & tell !m we & ! *ildr5 w be home late40 8,unf9i%$ bus9ess10 ,te5a's fa!r said ?\ghtfully4 8,t's "r4 ,unf9i%$ bus9ess40 ,,*apt] ,,twelve ,te5a & ,eddie1 ) _! fa!rs1 _h hamburg]s & milk at a roadside /&4 ,z soon z x 0 d>k1 !y drove t[>d ! ligh?\se4 ,!y p>k$ ! c> (f ! pav$ f\r-lane highway :i* ran sev]al hundr$ y>ds back f ! rocky po9t ^u :i* ! ligh?\se /ood4 ,! twi/+1 tw9-rutt$ road lead+ to ! ligh?\se 0 mu* m suitable to a jeep ?an to a mod]n l[-slung c>4 ,!y _h no m ?an climb$ out ( ! c>1 :5 a uni=m$ man /epp$ out ( ! d>kness 9 front ( !m4 ,eddie gasp$ :5 he saw ! rifle cradl$ 9 ! /rang]'s arms1 pois$ ready = in/ant action4 8,halt & id5tify y\rselves60 a voice *all5g$4 8,i'm ,/eve ,taylor f ,oceanview ,college10 ,eddie's fa!r spoke up quickly4 8,) me is ,mr4 ,tom ,ross4 ,also our two *ildr540 8,all "r1 sir10 ! voice said1 m pleasantly n[4 8,be5 expect+ y4 ,g ahead1 sir40 8,w[ee10 ,eddie :isp]$ z !y w5t d[n ! d>k road4 8,i wond] if !re are gu>ds all ar\nd "h40 8,probably10 ,mr4 ,ross said4 8,!y c]ta9ly set ?+s up fa/1 didn't !y80 ,ea* "t ! ligh?\se beacon swept ar\nd 9 its circle1 x ca/ a tempor>y gl[ ^u ! road1 mak+ walk+ easy4 ,:5 !y rea*$ ! base ( ! ligh?\se1 !y notic$ sev]al o!r %ad[y =ms mov+ ab\t4 8,t y1 mates80 ,old ,capta9 ,daniels /epp$ out to meet !m4 8,hello1 ,capta9 ,daniels10 ,eddie greet$4 8,x's u1 all "r4 ,our fa!rs are ) u40 ,capta9 ,daniels %ook h&s ) ! two m54 8,q a p>ty !y're plann+ out "h1 isn't x80 he said1 seem+ to reli% ! excitem5t4 8,app>5tly10 ,eddie's fa!r said4 8,al?\gh we don't "k j :at !y're plann+40 8,y w1 y w10 said ,capta9 ,daniels4 8,b "r n[ ,i've got to *eck my light4 ,d>k]'n a %ip's hold ) a c>go ( t> pap] tonight1 x is4 ,won't be mu* to see--until ?+s />t popp9'4 ,might be a good idea to sit !re 9 front ( my cottage & wat* d[n ! coa/4 ,j don't light any mat*es1 or make undue noise4 ,if y spot any /range lights1 ?+s may />t happ5+4 ,i probably won't see y = a :ile4 ,c't /op ! light unless ,i'm up top40 ,he turn$ & />t$ up ! spiral+ /airs4 8,/op ! light80 ,eddie said4 8,i wond] :at ,cap meant by t80 8,i don't "k10 8 fa!r said4 8,i suppose y c /op ^? lights f turn+ 9 a circle if y want to4 ,don't "k :y anyone w\ld want to1 ?\gh4 ,aft] all1 ! beam is aim$ r high s x c be se5 by %ips f> (f ! coa/40 ,!y wait$ ov] an h\r4 ,except = ! g5tle s\nd ( waves lapp+ ! %ore bel[1 & a ?robb+ ,coa/ ,gu>d plane pass+ by on its patrol1 an e]ie sil5ce fill$ ! night4 ,look+ seaw>d1 !re 0 no?+ to see b solid blackness4 ,?ree times ea* m9ute ! beacon f ! ligh?\se swept a pa? ( :ite ?r\gh ! sky4 ,s9ce x 0 aim$ high1 ! beam didn't t\* ! wat] 9 ! bay4 8,if any?+ is happ5+ out !re10 ,eddie said1 8h[ are we go+ to "k ab\t x80 8,i've be5 wond]+ t myself10 8 fa!r repli$4 8,y'd ?9k !y w\ld spot "s se>*-lights along ! bea* or some?+10 ,mr4 ,ross said4 8,!y c\ldn't v well d t1 ,tom10 ,mr4 ,taylor said4 8,!y w\ld risk tipp+ (f ! :ole trap4 ,t ,evans fell[ impress$ me z kn[+ :at to d4 ,8 is a big responsibility1 & !re c]ta9ly wasn't mu* "t to weigh & measure ?+s1 b--0 8,look60 ,te5a said sudd5ly4 8,isn't t a light d[n !re80 ,eddie's eyes foll[$ ! direction ( h] out/ret*$ arm4 8,x sure is60 he said1 dropp+ 8 voice to a t5se :isp]4 8,x's fla%+ on & (f60 ,! light 0 only a p9po9t 9 ! di/ance4 ,x flick$ (f & on 9 a patt]n ( dots & da%es :i* ,eddie guess$ 0 "s k9d ( a code4 ,! beam 0 direct$ seaw>d4 8,eddie10 ,te5a said1 8isn't t light ab\t :]e ! old fi%]man's %ack is80 8,i ?9k s10 ,eddie said1 try+ to judge 9 ! d>kness ab\t h[ f> d[n ! coa/ ! %ack 0 f ! ligh?\se4 8,i figure y're "r10 a voice spoke beh9d !m4 ,all f\r turn$4 ,!y c\ldn't make out ! /rang]'s face 9 ! d>kness1 b !y c\ld see t he 0 9 ,navy uni=m4 ,z ! ligh?\se beacon swung ar\nd1 ,eddie saw lieut5ant's b>s on 8 %\ld]s1 & ! cross$-an*or insigne ( ! ,u4,s4 ,coa/ ,gu>d on 8 cap4 8,n[ we'll wait exactly tw5ty m9utes40 8,wait = :at80 ,eddie ask$4 8,we're n sure10 ! (fic] said4 8,b 9 tw5ty m9utes we spr+ ! trap4 ,might cat* "s big game1 might cat* no?+4 ,please /ay "r :]e y are4 ,keep y\r voices l[4 ,no lights ( any k9d40 ,he turn$ & w5t t[>d ! ligh?\se t[]4 ,! ,coa/ ,gu>d (fic] _h j left :5 ,te5a grabb$ ,eddie's arm4 8,look60 %e :isp]$1 po9t+ out across ! d>k bay4 ,eddie suck$ 9 8 brea? z a small light f> out on ! wat] fla%$ ?ree times quickly1 !n /opp$4 8,some?+'s mov+ into ! trap1 all "r10 8 fa!r :isp]$4 ,x 0 unbelievable to ,eddie t tw5ty m9utes c\ld be su* a long "t4 ,no "o spoke4 ,nor 7 !re any o!r fla%es ( light to indicate any k9d ( activity go+ on4 ,occasionally1 ,te5a's fa!r consult$ ! lum9\s dial ( 8 wri/ wat*4 ,eddie wond]$ if he1 too1 f\nd t tw5ty m9utes 0 an awfully long "t4 ,!n1 z ! t5sion inside ( ,eddie m\nt$ to ! po9t ( bur/+1 ! d>kness 0 %att]$ by a sudd5 ru% ( activity4 ,x began :5 ! enorm\s beacon 9 ! ligh?\se t[] /opp$ rotat+ z ! beam po9t$ out across ! bay4 ,!n1 amaz+ly1 ! great f+] ( light 0 l[]$ until x flood$ ! out] edge ( ! bay 9 a brilliant blanket ( :ite4 ,! sight reveal$ 9 ! dazzl+ light caus$ all f\r ( !m to jump to _! feet4 ,9 ! deep wat] beyond ! bay1 & approximately half a mile (f%ore1 ! deck & sup]/ructure ( a subm>9e /ood out pla9ly on ! surface ( ! calm wat]4 ,ev5 at t di/ance1 ,eddie c\ld make out ! frantic scramble ( m5 p9n$ 9 ! bl9d+ grip ( light4 ,illu/ration3 444 he saw ! small rubb] boat mov+ 94 ,!n he saw ! small rubb] boat mov+ 9 t[>d ! s& b> ( ! bay4 ,?ree figures 7 pla9ly visible 9 x4 ,two _h be5 paddl+4 ,b ! paddles 7 n[ froz5 9 ! light4 ,! ?ird figure 0 dress$ 9 :at look$ l a sk9-div+ outfit4 ,! light reflect$ on ! glass face plate pu%$ up onto 8 =ehead4 ,sudd5ly ! two m5 ) ! paddles swung ab\t & />t$ pull+ frantically back t[>d ! subm>9e4 8,t sub w try to dive60 ,eddie's fa!r said quickly4 8,b ! m5 9 ! rubb] boat80 ,te5a said4 8,!y c't--0 8,!y'll be left beh9d10 ,mr4 ,ross said t5sely4 ,b :atev] me?od ( escape 0 int5d$1 x 0 quickly block$4 ,out ( ! night came ! ?robb+ ro> ( aircraft4 ,!n two d>k %apes circl$ into ! gl[ ( light f ! ligh?\se beacon4 8,coa/ ,gu>d planes60 ,mr4 ,taylor said4 ,add+ to ! brilliance1 ! ,coa/ ,gu>d aircraft dropp$ magnesium fl>es directly ov] ! surfac$ subm>9e1 !n cont9u$ _! circl+4 ,a new pulsat+ s\nd 0 add$ to ! night sc5e z two helicopt]s swept pa/ ! ligh?\se & slant$ directly t[>d ! subm>9e4 ,ea* helicopt] c>ri$ two l>ge b>rellike objects "u x4 8,dep? *>ges10 ,te5a's fa!r said4 8,if t subm>9e tries to dive x's a gon]40 ,app>5tly ! comm&] ( ! subm>9e realiz$ ! futility ( escape4 ,a :ite flag caught ! light1 z someone on deck began wav+ x wildly4 ,m fl>es blossom$ out z ! aircraft circl$ ar\nd = ! second "t4 ,sudd5ly two ,coa/ ,gu>d patrol boats nos$ into ! light$ area4 ,"o ( !m fir$ a w>n+ %ot ov] ! b[ ( ! und]sea craft4 ,! :ite flag began to wave m urg5tly ?an ev]4 ,! action _h tak5 less ?an five m9utes4 ,eddie's m9d :irl$ ) excitem5t4 ,& !n1 almo/ z sudd5ly z x _h />t$1 x 0 ov]4 ,"o ( ! ,coa/ ,gu>d boats swept into ! bay & pick$ up ! m5 9 ! rubb] raft4 ,! l>g] boat sw]v$ 9 & lay alongside ! subm>9e4 ,eddie c\ld see ! crew ( ! subm>9e be+ transf]r$ to ! laun*4 ,a few rema9$1 :ile sev]al arm$ ,coa/ ,gu>dsm5 bo>d$ ! subm>9e4 ,)9 a few m9utes ! patroll+ aircraft buzz$ l[ ov] ! sc5e = ! la/ "t1 !n disappe>$ into ! d>kness1 return+ to _! base4 ,! helicopt]s swung back inl&4 ,! unus$ dep? *>ges 7 /ill rack$ securely b5ea? !m4 8,boy1 t 0 "s tim+10 ,eddie's fa!r said1 z ! *op-*op-*op ( ! helicopt]s fad$ into ! di/ance4 ,! subm>9e _h />t$ to move up ! coa/ 9 ! direction ( ! ,u4,s4 ,coa/ ,gu>d depot4 ,! fl>es sputt]$ out1 & all 0 quiet once m on ! wat]4 ,sudd5ly ! beam f ! ligh?\se slant$ up to its normal position1 !n began to revolve sl[ly 9 its famili> fa%ion4 8,well1 folks10 ! ,coa/ ,gu>d lieut5ant said1 com+ up beh9d !m1 8%['s ov] = tonight40 8,& a real %[ x 010 ,te5a's fa!r said admir+ly4 8,t 0 "s display ( teamwork40 8,all "p ( our tra9+10 ! (fic] said1 obvi\sly pleas$ ! way ?+s _h turn$ out4 8,we keep ! :eels greas$4 ,:5 !y h to turn1 !y turn smoo?ly40 8,tonight's pro( positive ( t10 ,mr4 ,taylor complim5t$4 8,my in/ructions10 ! "y (fic] said1 8are to escort y to ! ,coa/ ,gu>d depot4 ,^? tak5 into cu/ody %\ld be !re by ! "t we arrive4 ,y may h a few que/ions to ask40 ,te5a & ,eddie rode ) ! lieut5ant 9 ! gray s$an ) 8,u4,s4 ,coa/ ,gu>d0 pr9t$ on its doors4 ,_! fa!rs foll[$ 9 ,mr4 ,taylor's c>4 ,gates op5$ z !y ent]$ ! ,coa/ ,gu>d depot a :ile lat]4 ,!y 7 escort$ into a l>ge brief+ room4 ,)9 two h\rs ! inve/igation 0 complete en\gh to draw "s firm conclusions4 ,mr4 ,evans1 ( ! ,f$]al ,bureau ( ,inve/igation1 & a ,capta9 ,fo/]1 ( ! ,u4,s4 ,coa/ ,gu>d1 /ood be=e ! gr\p4 ,!re 7 _m /range faces 9 ! room4 ,"s ( ! m5 7 9 uni=m2 "s 7 n4 ,eddie suppos$ mo/ ( !m 7 gov]nm5t or police (ficials ( "s k9d4 ,"u close gu>d ov] to "o side ( ! room 7 two doz5 or m m54 ,!y 7 all /rang]s4 ,_! uni=ms1 al?\gh ( a seaman's v>iety1 7 completely unfamili> to ,eddie4 ,!re 7 also sev]al m5 9 civilian clo?+ be+ held "u gu>d4 ,among !m ,eddie saw ! two unlucky fi%]m5 he _h come to "k z ,h>vey ,simms & ,roy ,b5ton4 ,!y sc[l$ d>kly at him4 ,eddie sc[l$ back4 ,mr4 ,evans seem$ to h caught ! ex*ange ( glances4 8,rememb]10 he said to ,eddie1 8,i m5tion$ t we %\ld h no tr\ble grabb+ !m :5ev] we want$ to4 ,well1 we got !m4 ,a few o!rs1 too4 ,simms & ,b5ton 7 sitt+ outside t old fi%]man's %ack1 /ill hold+ ! batt]y lant]n !y us$ to signal ! subm>9e40 8,boy1 oh1 boy60 ,eddie exclaim$4 8,n[1 g5tlem510 ,mr4 ,evans w5t on1 turn+ to ! ma9 gr\p1 8please reg>d all t is said "h z confid5tial until x is (ficially releas$ ?r\gh ! prop] *annels4 ,if y are wond]+ :y ^! two "y p are sitt+ 9 on ?is hu%-hu% session1 ,i take great pride & pleasure 9 in=m+ y t1 )\t _! al]tness & curiosity ov] c]ta9 suspici\s actions1 t subm>9e might n[ be on its way seaw>d c>ry+ two secrets v preci\s to ?is c\ntry's security40 ,eddie blu%$ b felt mighty good4 ,te5a look$ at h] h&s1 try+ to hide ! pleas$ smile on h] lips4 8,mr4 ,taylor & ,mr4 ,ross10 ! ,,fbi man said1 8?is %\ld also please y4 ,we f\nd two m ( ^? seal$ metal cyl9d]s inside ! subm>9e40 8,!n !y hadn't deliv]$ !m60 ,eddie's fa!r said ) obvi\s relief4 8,t's "r4 ,9 fact1 ! subm>9e comm&] has admitt$ t !y h be5 ly+ ab\t ?irty miles (f ! coa/ dur+ ! week4 ,tonight 0 _! ?ird trip to ! bay4 ,incid5tally1 x 0 s*$ul$ to be _! la/4 ,!y _h pl5ty ( ! secret radioisotope1 & today's bluepr9t deliv]y complet$ ! ma9 set on ! new missile-guidance sy/em !y also 7 aft]4 ,if we hadn't set ! trap tonight1 we w\ld h be5 too late--ano!r reason = appreciat+ ! al]tness on ! p>ts ( y\r son1 ,eddie1 & ,mr4 ,ross's daught]1 ,te5a4 8,n[10 ,mr4 ,evans cont9u$1 8we hav5't _h "t to solve :o 0 beh9d all ( ?is1 or :y4 ,we h our ideas1 ( c\rse1 b x's go+ to take consid]able inve/igation to draw a full & cle> picture4 ,at ! mom5t1 ,i'm n free to reveal to :at c\ntry t subm>9e belongs4 ,i did ?9k1 ?\gh1 t y two g5tlem5 des]v$ to "k t ! isotope & ! bluepr9ts are safe40 8,x w be a long "t1 ,i imag9e1 be=e ei!r ,mr4 ,ross or ,i w he> bett] news10 ,eddie's fa!r said4 8,9 ord] n to delay nucle> rese>*1 nor to hold up production at ,acme ,aircraft10 ! ,,fbi man said1 8we're s5d+ ! tubes ) y "u arm$ gu>d to y\r laboratory1 & y c take ov] f !re40 8,) great pleasure10 ,te5a's fa!r said4 8,& ,i believe1 g5tlem510 ,mr4 ,evans w5t on1 8t's probably y\r ma9 int]e/ at ! mom5t4 ,! re/ ( x y w d\btless read ab\t 9 y\r newspap]s )9 a day or two4 ,i imag9e ! lights & commotion out ar\nd ! bay a :ile ago attract$ pl5ty ( att5tion4 ,ev5 ) ! nak$ eye1 x w\ld be simple to id5tify a subm>9e ly+ on ! surface4 ,newsm5 are cr[d+ ! gates outside "r n[4 ,!y'll get _! /ory z soon z we've fill$ 9 a few gaps & get a release f ,wa%+ton4 ,all ,i ask is t y d no talk+ ab\t x until x has be5 cle>$ = ! press4 ,all "r80 8,( c\rse10 ,mr4 ,taylor said4 8,we won't say a ^w10 ,eddie promis$ f]v5tly4 8,no1 sir10 ,te5a back$ him up4 8,well1 !n10 ,mr4 ,ross said1 ris+1 8,i guess y won't ne$ u any m40 8,we'll call y if !re's any?+ else10 ,mr4 ,evans said by way ( dismiss+ !m4 8,be=e y g1 ?\gh1 ,i d want to ?ank y all = y\r f9e co-op]ation4 ,p>ticul>ly y two "y p40 ,he smil$ aga9 at ,te5a & ,eddie4 8,?is may s\nd awfully big--& x is--b y've bo? done a great s]vice = y\r c\ntry4 ,z long z we h al]t "y ,am]icans l y two1 ?is c\ntry's future is 9 good h&s40 ,a bur/ ( applause w5t up4 ,x seem$ a /range place = x1 !re 9 ! brief+ room4 ,eddie f\nd x almo/ impossible to conceal ! pride t puff$ up inside ( him4 ,te5a 0 gr9n+1 too1 z !y got up to foll[ _! fa!rs outside4 ,bo? ( !m took a la/ look ar\nd ! room4 ,!y saw ! gr\p ( sull5 m5 9 /range uni=ms4 ,!y saw ! tall man & ! fat man1 ^: clumsy ef=ts at be+ fi%]m5 _h fir/ ar\s$ _! suspicions4 ,!y saw ! pleas$ looks on ! faces ( ! ,,fbi ag5t1 ! ,coa/ ,gu>dsm51 & ! o!rs 9 ! 8fri5dly0 side ( ! room4 ,!y saw _! fa!rs walk+ t[>d ! door1 c>efully c>ry+ ! all-important metal tubes4 ,nei!r ,te5a nor ,eddie c\ld f9d any?+ to say4 ,!n !y 7 outside4 ,! />s bl9k$ ov]head4 ,e few seconds ! circl+ beacon f ! di/ant ligh?\se swept its :ite f+] across ! sky4 ,! cool breeze f ! ne>by ocean gave add$ ze/ to _! high spirits4 8,isn't x wond]ful h[ ev]y?+ work$ out1 ,eddie80 ,te5a said f9ally4 8,& to ?9k t we 7 "s help40 8,yep10 ,eddie said4 8,x all work$ out great1 didn't x8 ,really great40 ,walk+ pr\dly1 !y foll[$ _! fa!rs t[>d ! p>k+ lot4 ,transcrib]'s ,notes --,copyright notice provid$ z 9 ! orig9al--?is e-text is public doma9 9 ! c\ntry ( publication4 --,sil5tly correct$ palpable typos2 left non-/&>d spell+s & dialect un*ang$4 --,9 ! text v]sions1 delimit$ italics text 9 und]scores 7! ,,html v]sion reproduces ! font =m ( ! pr9t$ book47