36xxxx 075 Another Sub Follows

The stolen Euclidean submarine is still racing full of tangles. Hour after hour, the powerful explosions of compressed gas have driven the speedy boat on toward its goals. It is now noon, and a blazing summer sun is beating down on the waters of the Pacific Ocean.

The submarine is very near the surface of the water, and in the control section, Captain Bradford, Mrs. Gregory, Jerry and Joan are discussing a shadow on the water directly above them. I don't like the looks of that shadow.

The shadow is harmless. Sure, what's making the shadow? Looks to me like a good-sized plane. The plane flying, not any too high. That is precisely what casts the shadow. One of the Euclidean planes? Undoubtedly.

That is one of the planes from the island, and the pilot is very carefully keeping his shadow directly over us at all times. Oh, then maybe the shadow can hurt us. Now, Jerry, you've been around that magic island so long you're imagining things.

Well, what's our shadow doing there, then? If it's not for our benefit. The shadow has probably kept over us for a definite reason. The pilot of the Euclidean plane knows that while we are conscious of his proximity, we are less likely to attempt communication with the shore.

But we'll have to communicate with the shore in a few hours now, won't we? It is quite possible we will attempt to land without any communication to the shore. But, Joan, we've told you that it's out of the question you simply can't land a strange submarine.

Particularly one carrying as many unique weapons as this one, without getting yourself thoroughly put in jail. And they'll do it too. I think we ought to let them know we're coming. Well, I don't. We'd never get anything accomplished if the waterfront found out what was going on.