But his face was grim enough as he listened to Zeke’s further narration. It seemed the local police were working hand in hand with the detective, and their main effort seemed to be along the line of hunting Ralph and trailing his movements during the few days subsequent to the burglary. "I don’t know how much they think they’ve got on him," concluded the surfman. "But just now, before I come back, Gyp Pellet—— Know him, Cousin Tobe? Lives down to Peehawket." "I know him," confessed the interested lightkeeper. "Well, Gyp Pellet came up to town and told the constable and this here bank detective that he’d rented Ralph his catboat—the old _Gullwing_—early on the morning after the bank was burgled." "Yesterday morning? Oh, sugar! What was Ralph doing down to Peehawket Cove?" "Got me. Gyp says he seen him walkin’ up the railroad tracks carrying a heavy bag about daybreak. O’ course, everybody says he had the bank’s money—or part of it anyway—in that bag. They kind of figger he and the other burglars went down the railroad on a hand car, and separated somewhere below Peehawket. Ever hear such foolishness?" "It listens purty foolish," admitted Tobias. "Gyp says Ralph was terrible anxious to get away in the _Gullwing_. Ye know that old cat ain’t wuth the new caulkin’ Gyp put into her seams this spring. And you bet he held out for his price, seein’ Ralph was in need. He didn’t exactly say how much he stung the young feller; but if he don’t never see that old tub again, I reckon he don’t cal’late to lose much." "What do you s’pose Ralph is up to?" sighed Tobias. "He put out yesterday morning from Peehawket Cove, did he? And Gyp ain’t got no idea where he went?" "Says he tacked southerly after he got outside. Beyond that Gyp declares he don’t know a thing." "Wherever Ralph is, I hope he’s moored safe to-night," muttered the lightkeeper. He rose and went to the door, peering out into the darkness. The wind was moaning in the distance while the deeper bourdon of thunderous breakers on the reefs added to the audible threat of the elements. "We’re going to have a humdinger," said Tobias, with fuller assurance, returning from the door. "And if that boy went to sea in that leaky old tub——" The door from the stairway was pushed wide open and Lorna Nicholet came into the kitchen. Her countenance was pale and there was a deep smudge under each eye. But the eyes themselves were very bright—perhaps tear bright. And yet she was not a girl who often wept. She carried a tray on which was a teapot, crusts of toast, and part of a glass of jelly. Before she spoke she set the tray upon the Turkey-red cloth that always covered Miss Heppy’s table between meals. Indeed, Zeke, making ready to go aloft for a look at the lamp, was first to ask: "How’s Cousin Heppy?" "She managed to eat a little supper. She is quiet now," Lorna said. "Is the bank matter settled? That is what is worrying Miss Heppy. If her money is lost——"