Pidgin Island

John Cranford, a secret agent of the United States Customs service, has succeeded in unearthing a gigantic smuggling plot. The operations of the smugglers range from contraband opium to diamonds. Opium is found and confiscated, and burned in the street as a warning against future law-breaking. The men who have been handling it are apprehended, but the "man higher up" remains shrouded in mystery, free to pursue his schemes, and it becomes the purpose of Cranford's life to bring him to justice. To recuperate before entering upon his pursuit, John goes to the St. Lawrence River for a fishing trip. Expecting to hire his old friend and guide, "Uncle Billy," he is greatly disappointed at finding that worthy man's time engaged by a charming, mysterious young woman, who insists on fishing in the neighborhood of Pidgin Island. Diana Wynne, the girl in question, comes to Billy's boathouse while John is there, and Billy introduces them. They meet often, and John finds himself falling in love with Diana, but his curiosity is aroused by the air of mystery surrounding her, and he cannot understand her strange interest in the launches plying around the island. To this region comes "the man higher up," Michael Smead, his son Donald and two accomplices, to operate a great smuggling deal on the Canadian border. John recognizes Smead, having previously blocked him in an attempt to smuggle many thousands of dollars' worth of diamonds. Donald is a stranger to him, for he is new to the game. John, finding that his "vacation" has furnished him with the biggest job of his life, watches Smead closely. Complications arise from the fact that Diana also is a secret service agent, and she too is watching Smead's hand. In so doing her actions arouse John's suspicion that she is in league with the band, and the two agents suspect each other. One stormy evening Diana intercepts a telegram to Smead which reads: "Pidgin tonight at 8 without fail." She hastens to Uncle Billy, asking him to take her over to the island at once. They set out in the storm, much against the wishes of "Mr. Billy." John, coming directly afterwards, is told of their destination, and fearing for Diana's safety in the gathering storm forces young Lester, a guide, to take him in pursuit. The storm rages in fury about both boats, and the waves run high. Smead's Canadian agents are in an aeroplane coming toward Pidgin. They are smuggling the gems, which are concealed in the hollow butts of two fishing poles, but the aer