The Indians had been prostrate before the tower, that other night, and from its steps Lea had talked to them, while San watched at the controls. "That was one thing," he said. "Safe enough. But to have you leave--tonight--off in these woods to try and find your friendly, gullible Indians--too dangerous, Lea. Alan knew it. He was right." She presently mounted the tower, while San remained alert below. From the top she could see the Turber camp fire. And the Indian fire to the southeast. Silence. And then, far away to the south where the pale-face city held the southern tip of the island, Lea thought she heard a shot. Then another. But they were very faint. Dark spread of silent woods! What was going on out there? The shots were Alan firing at Lentz when we discovered his treachery. But Lea could not know that. The Hudson River shone in the starlight. Lea saw a huge Indian canoe moving south toward the glow of light which marked the location of the Turber aero. It was one of the canoes bringing in the Turber treasure. But that, too, she did not know. She went down again and joined San. They waited through what seemed another interminable period. "We must leave at dawn," said San. But Lea shook her head. "We will not leave until we know Turber has left--and Alan has failed." And there was the chance that Alan and Lentz would be in the woods, and return at last, unsuccessful. "We cannot abandon them, San." They both suddenly felt that the venture was doomed to failure. "San! Did you hear that?" They were at one of the windows. A cautious call had come from the woods. A low hail. "Lea!" It came again. "Lea! Don't start the tower! I'm coming." * * * * * Lentz's voice! They both recognized it. Lea went to the doorway. San was alert at the controls with his gaze on her. "Wait, San." She gestured. "Wait! I see him." Lentz appeared from a thicket near by. "Lea?" "Yes, Lentz. Where is Alan?" "I'm coming in. Don't start the tower." He approached. "Disaster, Lea. We could do nothing. Alan was killed by Turber." Her heart went cold. She stood on the steps. Lentz was alone. He came up the steps, into the tower room. There was blood on his right hand; one of its fingers was mangled. He held out the wounded hand. He said: "Don't start us yet, San. I want to talk to you. I've been hurt--Turber shot me." They stood with him in the middle of the room. For that instant the tower controls were neglected. Lentz held out his wounded hand for inspection. His other hand was behind him. It came up over his head. He struck with a dagger at San. A swift blow, but Lea was quicker. She shoved at him. The blow missed, and San was upon him. And Lea leaped at him also, fighting desperately. They bore him down. His wounded hand was a handicap. The dagger was in his awkward left hand. San fought for it as they rolled on the floor with Lea bending over them.