For a moment Rick was about to suggest that they could have the police hunt him as a material witness, then he rejected the idea. Witness to what? Tom Tyler had admitted running the _Sea Belle_ on the reef purposely, or next thing to it. No, the only solution was to find Captain Killian. But where to begin? "Put yourself in his place," he suggested to Cap'n Mike. "You've known him a long time. If you were hiding out, where would you go?" "I've thought about it," the old seaman said. "Don't do no good. This is the first time Jim Killian has left town in twenty years, except to go into Newark or New York for a day's shopping." "Where did he live?" Scotty asked. "Little Cape Cod cottage over near Tom Tyler. Lived by himself." "We might start there," Rick said. "Good a place as any," Cap'n Mike agreed. "Let's get going." Rick shook his head. "We have to wait for Jerry. Let's sit in the car. I don't think the hearing will last very long. Tom Tyler is pleading guilty." They walked to Jerry's car and settled down to wait. Through the windshield Rick watched the townfolk clustered around the courthouse steps and noted that they weren't talking much. He guessed everyone in town knew there was something extraordinary about the wreck of the _Sea Belle_ and he wondered if anyone suspected smuggling activities at Creek House. He said aloud, "If the Kelsos and Brad Marbek took the stuff up to Salt Creek Bridge before we got there, what boat did they use? The boat we saw in the boathouse was dry, and the boats on the _Albatross_ were hanging on the davits. Maybe we're all wet on that, too." "Maybe," Scotty agreed glumly. "I've never seen a deal with so many dead ends." Cap'n Mike sounded alarmed. "You're not giving up, are you, boys?" "Not a chance. We'll get to the bottom of this sooner or later." Scotty spoke for both of them. Cap'n Mike pointed. "The crowd's coming out." Evidently the hearing was over, because those who had waited inside the building and those lucky enough to get seats were coming out. Presently Jerry Webster came out, too, tucking his notes into his jacket pocket. He joined them in the car and greeted Cap'n Mike. "You look like three mourners," he told them. "What's the matter?" Rick explained briefly, then asked, "Got any bright ideas?" "Afraid not," Jerry replied. "Finding someone is a tough job even for the police with all their facilities. I don't know how you'd even start." "We thought of looking his house over," Rick said. "I wouldn't do that," Jerry replied quickly. "Why not?" "You said he left of his own accord, didn't you? You can bet he locked his house up tight. If you try to get in, you'll be guilty of breaking and entering. And even if he left a door open, you've no right to go in. You can bet the neighbors will be on the phone to the constable's office if they see anyone fooling around the house." "You're right," Rick agreed gloomily.