In Elkins, a town in West Virginia, Trampy has set up a quiz show (“Guess, if you can!”), which is very successful. But Chico, who acts as his page, shows up and the quiz goes to rack and ruin. Followed by the usual shouting crowd, the Mexican meets Drunky Duck, who gives him a letter from Fishleg: the captain of the “Golden Baby” awaits him and Zagor at the gloomy Tavern of the Owl...
The message that Zagor has received was not from Fishleg but from his charming niece Virginia, who wants to reach her uncle to tell him that he has received a considerable inheritance. The three reach Fishleg's ship, moored in the Norfolk harbor. But a passenger, the Chinaman, Ling, is mysteriously murdered...
Big Bay, on the southern shore of Lake Superior. The waters of the lake are “beaten” by the “Destroyer”, a futuristic battleship that is spreading terror among the fishermen and among the American military ships. Zagor and Chico have come to help their friend, Daniel Bowie. The secessionist party is very strong in the region: many people would like to return to England!
