Jupiter continued. “It was only when you, Prince Djaro, mentioned the bell ringing for victory that it came to me. Last night Old Anton, the gypsy king, made a very strange remark. He told Duke Stefan he heard a bell ringing for victory, and that the spider, though silver, was only a spider.

“I don’t know what Old Anton’s powers are, but somehow he knew more than he told. The bell ringing for victory, of course, turned out to be ringing for you. And I realized that if a spider was only a spider, we should look for it where we’d look for any other spider — near a spider web.”

It was a long speech, but this time no one stopped him. When he had finished, he took a deep breath.

“So you see,” he finished, “I don’t deserve much credit. In fact — ”

“You deserve all the credit I can give you!” Djaro cried delightedly. He carefully wrapped the silver spider of Varania in his handkerchief and put it in his pocket. “I can’t show my appreciation fully, but I’ll do the best I can right here and now.”

From his other pocket he pulled out three beautifully wrought spiders of plain silver, on silver chains.

“Stand in a row, please,” he directed The Three Investigators, and when they did, he hung a silver spider around each one’s neck.

“Now,” he grinned, “you are all three members of the Order of the Silver Spider. It is the highest decoration in my power, and given only to those who do something exceptional for Varania. It can only be worn by Varanians, so I hereby proclaim that all three of you are honorary citizens of my country. Now, what more can I do to show my gratitude? Ask me anything in my power.”

“Well — ” Jupe began.

But it was Pete who spoke for them. “Could we have something to eat?” he asked.

THERE’S NOT MUCH MORE to add to the story of The Three Investigators and the silver spider of Varania. To the enthusiastic approval of Varania, Prince Djaro was crowned and took over the reins of power right away, without waiting for the elaborate ceremonies that had been planned. Duke Stefan and his co-conspirators were jailed, and the foreigners who were planning to turn Varania into a paradise for criminals were captured trying to escape and were given long sentences.

The Three Investigators’ part in the overthrow of the sinister plot was not made public for reasons of national security. But Jupiter, Pete and Bob thoroughly enjoyed the coronation and then hurried back home. They took with them Prince Djaro’s warmest thanks and an invitation to come back sometime for a longer visit, which the boys hope to do.

Unfortunately, they weren’t allowed to keep their camera-radios, but they were happy to bring home the decorations they were given by Prince Djaro — the Order of the Silver Spider. Since then they have had an entirely new attitude toward spiders, most of which are hard-working little creatures who help keep down the insect population.

The Three Investigators are once again on the lookout for leads to new and interesting mysteries. I’m sure one will come their way soon, though for the life of me I can’t imagine what adventure they’ll get into next. The only thing I know for sure is that it will be hair-raising!

THE END