The Daily Alaska empire., 1932-07-01

He had not the slightest doubt that in that low H-shaped house were to be found those who had disappeared so mysteriouSly from 1.-the midst of civilization, as well as those who had spirited them away.
 Just ahead and seven or eight miles from the inhabited island, was long, marrow key, bordered on the east by mile-long stretch of sand which looked hard enough to sustain the monoplanes weight. Making one low flight across its entire length to assure himself that the beach held no obstacles which might trip the wheels, he dropped the plane, light as a bird, in a perfect three-point landing Then, cutting his engine, he push ed himself out of his bucket seat and stretched his tired muscles.
 "Someone1l have to pry me out of here" muttered the detective, grossly. He climbed stiffly out of the cabin door.
 Pardon me if I seem to crow" 7" offered Emory, but you birds will have to admit that this was a pretty piece of navigating. You were both fit to be tied when that gasket blew out and we had to slide down near Tallahassee, leaving the amphibian to sail away on its merry course to the south ward
 Huh, you weren't doing any buck -and-wing dance yourself" re- marked Jerry.
 Not at that moment" admit ted his comrade. But you'll grant that when I studied the map last night, used the ruler and project ed the line of the amphibian's flight, I drew a circle around the Ten Thousand Islands on the ex- treme southwestern coast of Flor ida. I told you we'd find our little e-and-seek partners some where within my penciled line"
 q have a plan" announced Jer- ry, his face suddenly serious. Nov that we're here, we've got to do ] something about getting our feet on the island that house is on. We wouldn't get anywhere landing there with our plane. They'd un- doubtedly got machine guns and would wash us out before our pro- pellor stopped whirring. We'll have to use strategy"
 What, ho, the Delphic oracle speaks" applauded Emory, his face solemn.
 ] "One more yap out of you and I'll bury you alive in the sand!" Jerry threatened heatedly. Now here's what I have in mind. We'll pump up the collapsible rubber boat. Then I'll paddle it from one island to another until I get to the one nearest them. I'll de- flate the boat and hide it in the scrub, go to the shore toward the house and yell for help. They'll probably rescue me out of curios- ity. I'll tell them some kind of a cock and bull story and try to get the lay of the land and" . And tomorrow" interrupted Elm ory, Steve and I'll fly over the island and drop sand-burrs on your grave"
 Shut up! tomorrow, some time in the afternoon, you get your ma- chine gun ready and, as our wit ty friend has suggested, fly over the island. If things are right. I'll find some way to show something white, a table cloth or sheet, or a napkin out of a window or on the lawn. If you see it, come on down, ready for trouble, while I start some kind of rumpus in the house to keep everyone annoyed" /"
 Its lousy idea" drawled Elm ory.
 "Why?"
 Just this. I hate to throw money matters in your face, but l !, financed the expedition for the fun there would be in it. Now, the first time that it looks as though there might be little ex- citement, you go and try to take the play away from me. Seems to me you might let me paddle over to the island and you and the old-timer here do the mamma from-heaven act"
 Stevens spat reflectively and scratched himself.
 Me" he ventured. T don't think it's so good, either. What we ought to do is to fly to the nearest town and get all the cops in sight and then come back in boat and raid the place, good and proper. I'm peaceable feller and I smell trouble if we're going to mill around so impetuous-like. But on the other hand, if we call in the bulls, we'll have to split the re- uro,.jc turontu-tbi,-tvy IoucO