36xxxx 026 Magic Island Prepares To Submerge

The Magic Island is going to be submerged. The Gregory Yacht is slowly sinking below the surface of the island, as the water is pumped out of the lock in which the yacht has been held.

G-47 has just left the radio cabin, after assuring Mrs. Gregory and Jerry and Joan that they were quite safe on board the yacht. Captain Tex Bradford left half an hour ago to swim outside the rings of fog and gas surrounding the island and release a pigeon to Johnson's boat. The yacht is ready to be drawn into the island's submarine lock. The giant pumps

have lowered the water in the lock to the level of that within the island and the boat rides easily. But in the radio cabin, Mrs. Gregory, Joan and Jerry are terrified. I'm going out on that deck, Jerry.

Orders and orders. I'm going out there. But Mother, Captain Bredford said you were not to do that. Oh, might as well go now, I guess. We didn't fool anybody. You think G-47 knew Tex was out there swimming when he came into the cabin just now?

Yes, Mother. G-47 was smiling and quite pleased with himself. And when he looks and acts like that, it is only because he has done something particularly mean or terrible to someone. That's what I thought too.

No one the old guy said we'd needn't worry if we were all on board. He knew we weren't all on board. So we might as well go out on deck and watch how this thing is done.

G47 must have known we would be going out. He didn't even close the door. G47 knows nearly everything that everyone is going to do. Almost before they know it themselves. But if Texas out there somewhere, swimming beyond the end of the pier, he'll be helpless.