“THE SECRET OF TREASURE ISLAND."

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 29, 4 February 1939, Page 12

“THE SECRET OF TREASURE ISLAND."

------ V t V -------- wMM w - VMM V ■ SERIAL STORY

A I’ALE OF INTENSE. GRIPPING ADVENTURE!

(BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT W ITH AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS TO COLUMBIA PICTURE S PROPRIETARY, LTD.)

(Continued from our previous issue)

“THE JAWS OF DESTRUCTION” In the last chapter Captain Cuttie and Toni Morrell miraculously escaped death on the railroad trestle. During this time Larry Kent was rescued from the river and placed in an ambulance. On the way to the hospital Grindley attacked Larry in order to secure the pirate treasure map. On Treasure Island Collins devises a cunning plan whereby he can get hold of Toni by sending Salt Water Jerry to tell her that he has found her father. However, Grindley gels in before him and lures her to a deserted building and imprisons her there. At the newspaper office, Captain Cuttie convinces Westmore, the editor, that he. Westmore, is the father of Toni. Later Larry tracks Grindley to his hideout and, seeing Toni behind the bars of an upper window, jumps on to a girder which is being hoisted for building purposes across the road. When he is in line with the window, Larry is just about to jump when one of Grindley’s men below pulls a lever that sends the girder crashing towards the street.. Losing his hold. Larry falls but grasps broken telephone wires and swings to a fire escape as the girder crashes down below. He climbs to the roof as Grindley and one of his aides clamber through a trapdoor. Larry battles furiously with the two on the edge ot the parapet but he is not able to gain any advantage over such overwhelming odds. However, Toni manages to break out of her room below and. creeping along the passages, cautiously makes her way to the roof. Slipping her shoe off. she strikes Grindley from behind and Larry soon makes short work of his remaining opponent. Then they hurry back to the hotel and a short time after a' long distance call comes for Tdni. She is amazed to hear Salt Water Jerrj’s voice at the other end of the line. He telLs her that he is in’ Cortez and that Collins has found the treasure as well as discovering her father is living*on Treasure Island. He asks her to coriie to Treasure Island right away, reminding her to bring her portion of the map because thar. pieced’together with Collins’ half, reveals the true story of Treasure Island. Jerry, in his owji sim; le trusting way. also tells her that Collins is very remorseful for the way he treated her in the past and wouid be pleased if she would lef .bygones be bygones. Larry is a trifle suspicious about the phone call, but Toni feels positive it is genuine and decides to leave for the island immediately.* Larry insists he return with her. adding, with a twinkle in his eye. ihrft she will never be able to get away from him now—not for the rest., of her life. They depart by boat, leaving a note for Captain Cutlie. The latter is still with Westmore, who has suddenly become a very proud father and i. anxious to meet his unknown daugn-

Doctor X overhears the conversc*lion which has just taken place between Larry and Toni, so Zanya and he carry word to Grindley. They return to the island by plane, planning to intercept the map before Larry sees Collins. Back in San Pablo, Captain Cut tit who is feeling in a very contented frame of mind after his interview with Westmore, strolls into his room in the hotel and finds the note left *by Toni and Larry. Realising that Carter Collins is at work again, he rushes back to the editor's office anti they also decide to set out for Treasure Island. When the bo> and girl arrive al Cortez they are met by Salt Water Jerry, who takes them to the island. He tells Toni that her father has been most anxious to see her as soon as she arrives. Larry wishes to accompany her bnt Jerry tells him that the Professor would rather be alone with his long-lost child for a while.

Understanding the position, Lain is persuaded to remain behind am. says he will wait on the boat. Jerry, in all good faith, then conducts Toni to the room in which he believes the Professor is waiting for her, ano while he respectfully waits outside. Toni enters the door only to be confronted with the sneering countenance of Collins. With his features distorted with madness, Collins orders the girl to sit down. He speedily disillusions her hopes of ever finding her father, and with a look of triumph admits it was only a clever hoax on his part to get hold of the map. and adds that she will never leave the island until the document is well and truly in his posession. Outside in the hall Salt WalCi Jerry suddenly hears the raised voice of Collins denouncing him as an old fool and he realises he has been a tool to trap the pair. His first inclination is to break through the door and tackle “The Shark” himself, but he knows that it would be of no avail, as his age and feebleness would be no match for Collins’ maniacal strength and it would probably only infuriate the millionaire to a greater degree. He decides to go and find Larry but Kent has been seized by Grindley’s guards. He is questioned as to the whereabouts of the map and when he refuses to give any information, is dragged to the edge of the volcano. When further threats fail to bring submission he is pushed over the brink and sent hurtling towards the seething molten depths. Will Captain Cuttle and Westmore reach Treasure Island in time to rescue Toni and Larry Where is the real pirate treasure? What will “The Shark” do to Toni?

JUSTICE Larry, falling into the smoking crater, is lost to view. Half-way down he strikes a ledge, then rolls through a hole and down an outer slope. Jerry, who, since leaving Toni with Collins, has been frantically searching for Larry, finds him there and tells him of the girl’s danger. Meanwhile Toni’s screams are unheaded. “The Shark” wrests the torn map from her and piecing it with hio

own. goes mad with exultation. Flinging the girl from him he hurries from the main hall to the House of Bats. Larry sees Collins when he dashes from the big house, and following him interrupts him in his gloating. Grabbing a sword. “The Shark” makes 3 thrust at Larry who picks up a second weapon and retaliates. A gruelling duel lasts for several minutes and then a sudden lunge on Larry’s part sends Collins staggering back into the treasure vault, and with a bang, the massive door closes upon him. In the meantime, Grindley has got hold of Toni and is trying to drag her from the mouse into the tunneis. Suddenly the island shakes with a tremor. Captain Cuttie and Westmore arrive, on the island and the former decides to make a tour ot inspection. Upon nearing the big house he hears Toni scream for help and goes to her rescue. Using his claw for a weapon and with assistance from Toni, he manages to overpower Grindley and lock him in a closet. Larrydashes in at that moment and utters a prayer of thanks when he sees the girl of his heart is safe. The tremors become more severe now’ and Cuttie urges the boy and girl into the tunnel where he ha* led the others in order to escape io the mainland.

Doctor X and Zanya race to the big house and release Grindley, who starts to pull switches which dynamite the tunnels beneath Treasure Island. The party in the dark passages hurry on. explosions following behind tiicm while the ground beneath then feet continues to shake. They finally come into the open at Cortez. As Grindley throws the last switch into place, the main house itself L destroyed in the rending of the island as the volcano continues le erupt. •Imprisoned with his treasure. ColJins dies as the cavern collapses upon him. The party at Cortez looks bacn. to see all of Treasure Island disappear in one mighty eruption. Westmore and his daughter are reunited and on the steamer headeo homeward Cuttie tells all the secret of Treasure Island. When discussing the futility of their adventures. Cuttie laughs and remarks: "Who says we bring away no treasure?” and unscrewing his iron claw, spills a stream of diamonds on to the table. He informs them that hardly a day elapsed on the island that he didn’t do a little treasure hunting and that the diamonds will bring in enough money to keep them all in luxury for the rest of their lives. Toni is still puzzled as to the identity of the Ghost of the Black Pirate but Cuttie tails her it never really existed and says that the Professor has it in his pocket. Thinking that th? adventures of the past few months have been too much for the old sailor, the girl turns enquiringly to the Professor, who extracts i. small camera from his pocket. He explains that it is a little invention of his own and in it he carries a raylight with which he can project a picture of the Ghost of the Black Pirate and when he shuts off the light the vision disappears. That accounts for the continual reappearance of the sceptre on Treasure Island. He also explains that he is a ventriloquist and that he provided the eerie voice uf the Pirate. They are able to treat it as a joke now ana laugh at how easily they were all taken in. although the Ghool had got them out of a tight corner on more than one occasion, despite the fact it very often nearly scarea the life out of them. Later Larry Tells Westmore that he wishes to marry nis daughter and lhe editor is overjoyed to think that his favourite reporter should become his son-in-law, although it means losing his daughter again just when nc is beginning to know 7 her. Afterwards out on the deck ot the steamer, which is ploughing i through beautiful, moonlit seas, Larry takes Toni in his arms. (Concluded.)

“1 AM ALW AYS WONDERING HOW ALL THE ITES ARE,” SAYS “WHITE RABBIT” Dear Wendy.—Here I am again knocking at the hut’s door, asking you to let me in after a long ab-

sence. I am always wondering how I all the Ites are and see that we now ! have a large band writing in from i Rata. Even though Rata is only a small place it heads the list of Ites writing to the Hut’s page. We are doing famously, aren't we, Wendy! We are having nice warm weather here at present but rain is needed very much, so hope it will rain soon as the gardens are in want of the I refreshing show ers. Do hope this letter finds you in perfect health, dear Wendy. Oh, by the way, “Stranger’s Daughter,” did you enjoy yourself at the Marton show. Hope you did. i had a great time there. Wonder how many Rata Ites know who 1 am Afraid you will have to have a good few r guesses now 7 . “Teki’s Pal,” arc ' your initials P.M.? Come now, let ime know if they are right. Well, how did you enjoy the pictures at Ratu on January 20? I thought it a very nice picture, didn’t you? This warm weather is good for swimming isn’t ' it, Wendy. 1 have not been for any • swims yet, but will be going any day j now-, as long as the weather keeps 'fine. Will now have to close, Wendy, and do hope the Rata Ites will keep ,up the good work and write each week, as I am going to try and he It 'the page each week also. So come ion you Rata Ites, keep up our colour i —green. Wishing you all the best foi ' the New Year, Wendy, and may it j bring you all sorts of good luck. Love I and best wishes. —From “WHITE ’RABBIT,” Rata. i Oh, dear, but what a surprise you ' have given me. Yes, our Rata clan j is very numerous indeed. What fun it is, too, isn’t it? I am immensely • pleased to have the promise of your [loyalty and support. Many thanks for I your kindly wishes. I hope this year, I already begun, will be one of joy for you.—Wendy