When Doomy Dwyer finds the customs men suspect him, he collapses then wanders away in the night. Has he fallen in the hot spring? Tom sees Sid digging a 'grave'.
Tom, Davie and Sarah Jane have found the still for making illegal grog in a sacred Maori burial cave. Sir Charles is buying some 'tapu' land. Strange things begin to happen.
Doomy Dwyer's deals are always suspect. He is trying to sell land to Sir Charles. Tom's gang believe Doomy has an illegal distillery and at last discover the store of drink.
Sir Charles wants to build a spa hotel on land claimed by the Maoris to be sacred and 'tapu'. Sarah Jane is initiated into Tom's gang and to prove her bravery is to visit the old Maori village at night.
Sir Charles has found the perfect site for his spa hotel, but it is on Maori land. Tom and his gang try to frighten Sir Charles and his granddaughter away, but it is only the governess who leaves.
Sarah Jane has become intrigued with the Maori village detroyed by a volcanic eruption. Tom and his gang are trying to convince the police that Doomy Dwyer is guilty of distilling illegal grog for the Maoris.
Sir Charles Pemberton and his granddaughter arrive in New Zealand. Sarah Jane's first meeting with Tom isn't a success. Then she tells him that the strange Maori who helped save their train from disaster is in town. Tom says it's Te Pourinui.