t to do some thinking first."

"About what?"

"About what that mermaid, as you call her, told me of her father's
worries. She----"

"Here she comes now," interrupted Belle, catching part of what Cora and
Eline were saying. Walking along the strand, with the chubby little boy
who had been pulled from the water, was Rosalie.

"How do you do?" she called pleasantly to Cora. "Are you all settled?
I think it must be lovely to live as you girls do, going about as you
please."

"And I think it must be so romantic to live in a lighthouse," interposed
Belle. "Do you ever tend the light?"

"Once in a while, when father is busy--that is, early in the evening.
Father and the assistant, Harry Small, stand the night watches."

"Do you ever have storms here?" asked Bess.

"Oh, often, yes; and bad ones too."

"And are ships wrecked?" Eline queried.

"Occasionally."

"Did your light ever save any?" asked Cora.

"Oh, yes, it must have, for the light can be seen for a long distance.
Of course, we can't say how many vessels have come in too close to the
black rocks, and have veered off. But I know once or twice father has seen
the lights too close in, and then, as the sailors saw the lantern flash,
they would steer out. So you see they were warned in time."

"That's splendid!" cried Bess. "Think of saving a whole shipload of
people!" and her eyes sparkled.

"How is your father?" asked Cora in a low voice, as she got a chance to
walk with Rosalie, the other three girls going on ahead.

"Oh, he is still worried--if that is what you mean," was the answer.

"That is what I do mean, my dear," Cora went on. "I wonder if you would
mind describing your aunt to us."

"You mean the one who--disappeared?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

It was a challenge, and Rosalie looked curiously at Cora.

"Well, my dear, I fancy--no, I will say nothing until I learn more. But
don't tell me about her unless you choose."

"Oh, I'm sure I don't mind. Perhaps you would like to speak to father?"

"Possibly--a little later. But was your aunt a delicate woman, with iron
gray hair, and rather a nervous manner?"

"Yes, that's Aunt Margaret! But why do you ask?"

"I will tell you later, my dear. Please don't say anything about it until
I see your father. Do you suppose he would show us through the light?"

"Of course! I'll ask him; and that will give you the chance you want!"

"Fine!" exclaimed Cora. "I'm afraid you will think this is rather a
conspir