By dinnertime the base was one solid mass of rumor. Rick heard variously that the Earthman had been found, that he had stolen an entire rocket assembly, that the warehouse had been loaded with dynamite triggered to explode, that he had killed the clerk, that the clerk had seen him just before he flickered into invisibility, and so on.
He phoned Scotty and found that his pal was hearing equally wild rumors. The boys set a time and place to meet, just outside the main project building at five-thirty. Scotty was there when Rick arrived.
"John Gordon come out yet?" Rick asked.
Scotty shook his head. "Any news? I've got a million rumors more or less, but nothing solid."
Rick told him in detail of the incident at the warehouse, and concluded, "Beyond that I don't know a thing. But Gordon will probably know something if we can catch him."
"We'll wait. We can pretend it's the first time we've seen him here and talk for a few minutes about old times at Spindrift. That shouldn't make anyone suspicious."
Rick agreed. It would be natural enough, and if anyone came within earshot they could make the conversation sound harmless.
Scotty grinned. "How's your pal and special charge?" At least once a day he kidded Rick about becoming nursemaid to a monkey.
"Fine," Rick replied. "He asks for you every day. After all, he knows you're the only other ape on the base."
Scotty ignored the crack. "When do I get to see this beloved child of yours?"