rebbs@bbncca.ARPA (Robert Ebbs) (12/14/83)
Several years ago (Lo, these many...), I read a short novel (short=one sitting), the author and title of which I've forgotten. My later recollection was that it was by Conrad, but extensive research seems to disprove this. Maybe someone out there could help? Here's the story: Man lives on an island in a tropical climate, must visit another island periodically for supplies, etc. On one such visit he meets a young rather down-at-heels woman who belongs to a seedy all-women dance band that tours the "provinces", in this case the islands. He shows kindness, she responds and plans to return with him to his island. Problem is, there are a couple of villains in the plot who have heard an island rumor that the hermit is in possession of much money which he keeps hidden on his island. The big dumb guy of the villainous duo becomes enamored of the band girl and means to have her. So they follow man and woman to island, fights, skulduggery, "hero" is killed, woman pretends to acquiesce to the advances of the scuzzy bad guy, only to plunge a knife in his back! Great stuff, high tension throughout.