“Lights out,” observed Jolly, himself the center of the only illumination in the room, proceeding from the gas stove. “The electric current has gone off, that’s sure,” remarked Vincent. “That means trouble somewhere.” They waited a few minutes, but the electric lights did not come on. “Light the gas, Randy,” suggested Frank. “I think we had better light one or two jets in the playhouse, too, so we can see our way if any trouble comes along.” The playhouse was wired for electric lights, but had a gas connection as well. The jet in the living room was lighted. Pep went out and set two jets going in the playhouse. They heard him utter a cry of dismay. Then he hailed briskly: “Come out here. Something’s happened.” They all rushed in from the living room. Something had, indeed, happened. Pep stood in half an inch of water, which was flowing in under the front doors. “Why this rain must be a regular deluge!” cried Randy. “It’s not rain,” sharply contradicted Pep. “What is it, then?” “Salt water. Hear that--see that!” During a momentary hush they could hear a long boom as if a giant wave was pounding the beach. Then a great lot of water sluiced in under the doors. “Open up, Pep,” directed Frank, “we must see to this right away.” The moment the doors were opened a lot of water flowed in. But for the incline it would have swept clear over the floor of the playhouse. Meeting the rise in the seats, however, it flowed in about fifteen feet, soaking the matting and coming nearly to the boys’ shoe tops. Then it receded and dripped away over the platform outside. All along the beach the electric lights were out, but the incessant flashes of lightning lit the scene bright as day. Here and there among the stores lanterns were in use, even candles, and where they had gas it was in full play. The beach clear up to the boardwalk was a seething pools now. Whenever a big swell came in it dashed over the walk and beat against the building lining it. “See here,” cried Randy in a great state of perturbation, “there isn’t any danger of the boardwalk going; is there?” “Part of it is gone already down near the slump,” declared Frank. “Look, you can see the beach from here. I hope the waves won’t upset any of the buildings.” “They can’t, right here, Durham,” declared Jolly promptly. “You see, there’s a drop from us inland. The water will drain off, if it doesn’t come in too heavy.” “I’ll bet there’s trouble over on the flats,” suggested Randy. “See the lights moving around.” “Lock the doors, Pep,” spoke Jolly. “We’ll take a look around and see just how bad things are.” It was no easy task maintaining their footing on the boardwalk, for it was slippery and at places gave where it had been undermined. Once a big wave swept over the exploring party and threw them in a heap against a building. People came running past them from the lower level of the Midway.