Elisha Macomber keeps Ponberthy Island under control when a vanishing body threatens the isolated life of the Crockers and the fortunes of resident off-islanders. A link with Boston jewel robberies, suspicious visiting sportsmen, a marriage headed for the rocks and another killing keeps everyone haired up but Elisha's ferretting around fills in the chinks and restores peace and sanity to Penberthy. Laconic.