"Oh, I had a little business with Edgar and the bank. Excuse me, Jethro.
Edgar..."

She stooped and whispered to the cashier. He nodded.

"Yes, Martha, of course," he said. "You've got your book? All right.
Back in a minute, Cap'n."

He picked up the pile of money from the desk, took from Miss Phipps'
hand the pass book she handed him, and together they stepped out into
the public room. Captain Jethro, whose eyes had caught sight of the
bills, leaned forward and peered through the little grating above Mr.
Thacher's desk. He saw the cashier and Martha standing by the teller's
window. The former said something and handed the teller the bank book
and the roll of bills. A moment later the teller, having counted the
money and made an entry in the book, handed the latter back to the lady.

"Five thousand," he said, and his tone was not low. "There you are, Miss
Phipps. Thank you."

When, having escorted the lady to the door, Thacher came back to his
private office, he found the light keeper sitting in the armchair
reserved for customers and pulling thoughtfully at his beard.

"Well, Cap'n," said Mr. Thacher, "what can I do for you?"

Captain Jethro crossed his legs. "I come over to cash a couple of checks
I got by mail," he said. "Had plenty of time so I thought I'd drop in
and see you a minute."

"Oh, yes, yes. Glad to see you."

"Um-hm. Ain't so glad to see me as you was to see Martha Phipps, I
guess likely. _I_ ain't depositin' any five thousand dollars. 'Twas five
thousand she just deposited, wasn't it?"

The cashier was rather annoyed. He did not answer at once. His visitor
repeated the question.

"Martha just put five thousand in the bank, didn't she?" he asked.

"Why--yes. Did she tell you she was going to?"

"No. I heard Eldridge say five thousand when he give her back her bank
book. Five thousand is a lot of money. Where'd she get it from?"

"I don't know, Cap'n, I'm sure. Little more spring-like out to-day,
isn't it?"

"Um-hm. Martha been borrerin' from the bank, has she?"

"No."

"Didn't know but she might have mortgaged the Phipps' place. Ain't done
that, you say?"

"No. At least, if she has she didn't tell me of it. How are things over
at the lighthouse?"

"All right enough. I don't hardly believe she could raise more'n three
thousand on a mortgage, anyhow.... Humph! Five thousand is a sight of
money, too.... Didn't she tell you nothin' about how she got it?"

Thacher's annoyance inc