The information Al Hardy had given made Tim change his plans completely. Sladek and his crew knew the _S-18_ was bound for the coast of Yucatan and Tim felt sure they would abandon any attempt to follow the _S-18_ across the Caribbean. Instead they would use their own seaplane to locate Commander Ford's expedition after it reached the island which held the secret of the Southern Queen. To Tim it seemed the most important thing was to get in touch with Commander Ford and appraise him of the sudden turn in events. Instead of waiting to keep the rendezvous on the following day, he would attempt to overtake the _S-18_ as soon as dawn broke. On his way back to the waterfront Tim stopped at an all-night restaurant and ate a hearty breakfast. The watchman at the dock lent a willing hand and by dawn Tim had the Sea King ready to take the air. "I don't like the looks of the sky," said the watchman. "There's wind and a nasty sea in them clouds." "I'll risk it anyway," said Tim. "It's important." "Then keep an eye on a handy cay where you can find shelter in the lee," advised the watchman as Tim started the motor of the Sea King. The powerful engine ran true and sweet and after getting it thoroughly warmed up, Tim scudded across the gray water and lifted the dripping pontoons into the sky. He knew the _S-18_ would be following the course to the rendezvous set for the next day and he charted a compass path through the air. Key West dropped from sight in the greyness of the morning and he winged a solitary way out over the Caribbean. Below the swells were sharper. It wouldn't be easy landing and getting the Sea King aboard the _S-18_. For nearly an hour Tim bored into the west. He should be near the _S-18_ and he scanned the surface of the ocean with anxious eyes. For half an hour he circled in wide swoops. The wind was freshening and the sea beneath him was choppy when he finally sighted the conning tower of the submarine. Tim dropped down until he was just above the surface of the water. The nose of the _S-18_ was plowing through the swells and there were only two huddled figures in the conning tower. Tim recognized them as he flashed by, Commander Ford and Pat. They waved wildly as Tim gauged the strength of wind and wave. It was too risky to attempt a landing and he scrawled a note on a sheet of paper and crammed it into an old tobacco can he had found along the waterfront and brought along for just such a purpose. With his motor almost idling, he swept down on the _S-18_ again. Watching his speed carefully, he hurled the tin can toward the submarine. It landed well in front and bobbed restless on the water. Commander Ford and Pat had seen the can strike the surface and under their skillful hands the submarine was brought to a halt. A wave washed the tin alongside where another member of the crew, who had emerged from the control room, retrieved it, and handed the can up to the conning tower.