CHAPTER IX THE BUNGALOW GIRL During the following day the occupants of the lightkeeper's dwelling saw little or nothing of the newcomers at the bungalow. Brown, his forehead resembling a section of a relief map of the Rocky Mountains, remained indoors as much as possible, working when there was anything to do, and reading back-number magazines when there was not. Seth went, as usual, to his room soon after noon. His slumbers must, however, have been fitful ones, for several times the substitute assistant, turning quickly, saw the bedroom door swing silently shut. The third time that this happened he ran to the door and threw it open in season to catch Mr. Atkins in an undignified dive for the bed. A tremendous snore followed the dive. The young man regarded him in silence for a few moments, during which the snores continued. Then he shook his head. “Humph!” he soliloquized; “I must 'phone for the doctor at once. Either the doctor or the superintendent. If he has developed that habit, he isn't fit for this job.” He turned away. The slumberer stirred uneasily, rolled over, opened one eye, and sat up. “Hi!” he called. “Come back here! Where you goin'?” Brown returned, looking surprised and anxious. “Oh!” he exclaimed, “are you awake?” “Course I'm awake! What a fool question that is. Think I'm settin' up here and talkin' in my sleep?” “Well, I didn't know.” “Why didn't you know? And, see here! what did you mean by sayin' you was goin' to 'phone the doctor or the superintendent, one or t'other? Yes, you said it. I heard you.” “Oh, no! you didn't.” “Tell you I did. Heard you with my own ears.” “But how could you? You weren't awake.” “Course I was awake! Couldn't have heard you unless I was, could I? What ails you? Them stings go clear through to your brains, did they?” Again Brown shook his head. “This is dreadful!” he murmured. “He walks in his sleep, and snores when he's awake. I MUST call the doctor.” “What--what--” The lightkeeper's wrath was interfering with his utterance. He swung his legs over the side of the bed and sputtered incoherently. “Be calm, Atkins,” coaxed the assistant. “Don't complicate your diseases by adding heart trouble. Three times today I've caught you peeping at me through the crack of that door. Within fifteen seconds of the last peep I find you snoring. Therefore, I say--” “Aw, belay! I was only--only just lookin' out to see what time it was.” “But you must have done it in your sleep, because--” “I never. I was wide awake as you be.” “But why did you snore? You couldn't have fallen asleep between the door and the bed. And you hadn't quite reached the bed when I got here.” “I--I--I--Aw, shut up!” Brown smiled blandly. “I will,” he said, “provided you promise to keep this door shut and don't do any more spying.” “Spyin'? What do you mean by that?”