Vance Skarstedt

Before Mike Nelson can investigate the disappearance of two geologists the sea washes one of them upon the beach, his body bearing marks apparently made by the suction valves of a giant octopus. When later the body of a young boy is found with the same mysterious marks, Mike is sure that the killer is a diabolically clever man who has somehow found a way to duplicate the mark of an octopus.

While leading a trail drive, Bat is confronted at a town by a gang who tries to extort money from him before they allow his cattle to pass. Bat refuses to pay and discovers the gang is backed by the mayor he decides to boot from office.