The tiny rose-pink early-morning clouds were fast fading in the turquoise sky as the tropical sun mounted rapidly above the horizon. Already its outflung rays were striking the palm-tops and the hills beyond in white bars of heat as Biggles and Algy left their hotel in Port Moresby, New Guinea, whither they had made their way after being driven far from their course by the typhoon.
Unhurriedly they strolled towards the beach to make the daily visit of inspection to the “Vandal” before proceeding to Government House to report their presence and pay their respects to the Governor of the Island.
In the lattice-like shade of a group of palms a man was lying, chin cupped in the palm of his hand, looking steadfastly at the “Vandal” as it rode the gentle swell near the shore. He was dressed in
