The flight was called and the Spindrifters shook hands with Father Murray. He waved as they boarded the plane and prepared to take off. "Not very helpful," Professor Zircon remarked, "although I'm glad we had a chance to meet Father Murray." Rick agreed, but added, "Doesn't it strike you as pretty strange coincidence that thieves should try to rob him for the first time, on the night Briotti and Shannon arrived?" Scotty saw at once what Rick meant. "You think they might not have been thieves? That it might have been a kidnap attempt that failed?" "It's a possibility," Rick pointed out. Zircon leaned across the aisle. "Consider the implications of what you're saying, Rick. Cotabato is a long way from Davao. Why would a gang chase our friends across Mindanao?" "Why were they kidnaped?" Rick retorted. "Obviously, we don't know. If we accept your idea, do we assume it was the same gang that traveled from Cotabato to Davao? Or, were both groups local people?" Scotty swallowed. "If they were local people, that has to mean some kind of well-organized syndicate with members in just about every port!" Rick nodded. He had seen at once the implications of his idea. "It could mean that." Scotty sank back into his seat. "But whatever it means, it gives no explanation of why Tony and Shannon were kidnaped." "We'll find the explanation somehow," Rick said, with more assurance than he felt. He added grimly, "We've got to!" CHAPTER VI The Man in the Red Fez The famous tropical port of Zamboanga lived up to its reputation as an exotic place. As the taxi carried the Spindrifters from the airport past the waterfront area, Rick saw bright-colored sails mixed with the drab steel of cargo ships. There were many Moros, but Christian Filipinos seemed to be in the majority. The taxi took them to Bayot's Hotel, a rambling, picturesque affair only two stories high, noted for the best food in the Sulu Sea region. The hotel was almost overgrown with orchids and lush tropical creepers. As the three checked in, Zircon began asking questions of the man at the desk. "You had Dr. Briotti and Dr. Shannon as guests, I believe?" "Yes. They stayed here for two days. I read of their disappearance. Incredible." "Can you tell us if they had any visitors?" "I recall none." Rick asked, "Did anyone show unusual interest in them?" "Not that one could notice. You realize, Americans are not an unusual sight. There are a number who live here." "Did you know their Moro guide?" Scotty queried. "I did not know him. I saw him, however. He was an unusual type." "In what way?" Zircon asked quickly. "He spoke no Chebucano. When I asked about this he said he was brought up in Tawi Tawi where Chebucano is not spoken. I might have believed this, except for one other thing." "Yes?" Zircon prompted. "He spoke excellent Spanish, which also is not spoken on Tawi Tawi." Rick asked thoughtfully, "You think he might not have been a Moro?"