The reply was, "Texas, this is Nevada. The package is in the mail."
Steve handed the phone back to the coastguardman and ordered, "Get the boys together and return to the ship, Smitty. Repeat their instructions. They don't know where they've been, and they don't know what they've been doing."
Smitty grinned. "Aye-aye, sir. That won't be hard. None of us really know where we've been or what we've been doing."
"Life is easier that way," Steve said. "Shove off, now."
"Aye-aye, sir." The guardsman faded off into the night.
"Let's move furniture," Steve suggested.
For the next few moments the house was a flurry of activity. Rick and Scotty dismantled the twin bed in Zircon's room, explaining only to the big scientist that unexpected company had arrived. Zircon, engrossed in a theoretical problem, scarcely noticed.
By the time Mrs. Brant was satisfied with arrangements and had counted the towels for the third time, Steve called from downstairs that the boat was arriving.
Rick, Scotty, and Barby ran to Steve's side and walked with him toward the landing where the Spindrift boats were moored. Dismal had paid little attention to the proceedings, but now, fearful of being left behind, the pup raced ahead of the group.