“No go!” ordered a cool voice from the thicket. “I gotta you covered!”
As the three men whirled around, Tony, rifle in hand, came out of the deep shadows.
“Stand-a by tree!” he commanded, motioning with the gun. “Keep-a hands up!”
Sullenly the three men obeyed. Tony guarded them closely until policemen swarmed over the island.
In the first boat were Salt, Jerry and several officers. Behind came a second boat, also loaded with policemen.
Danny, Hod and Coon quickly were handcuffed and placed under heavy guard. Tony then helped Penny release her father.
“What about Ezekiel?” the publisher asked. “We ought to get him too!”
Jerry revealed that the swamper already had been taken prisoner at Lookout Island. Two policemen had remained behind to guard both him and his wife.
“Oh, Jerry! I’m so glad you got through safely!” Penny declared. “Did you have any trouble?”
“Not a bit,” he replied. “When I reached the farmhouse, police already were there. Mrs. Jones had telephoned them.”