Captain," she apologized, "and I am sort of
interested in stories."

"You'll find plenty around here, without concocting them," the seaman
promised. "Not a broken oar in that loft but is a record of some boy's
courage, and not a boat do we break up for firewood but with it goes
many a story of heroism that never was printed," he added eloquently.

"And you think we ought to keep away from Looney Land?" Cleo forced
herself to ask, being a trifle reticent about recalling the question
Captain Dave had so decisively spoken upon.

"Oh, I don't know as there's any great harm in the little splash of an
island," he replied. "But when young 'uns keep saying 'look out' and
'don't go near,' I allus' believe they know what they're talking about.
I hain't never hearn any grown up say rightly the place is pested, in
any way, but the young 'uns just naturally shuns it, and kids often make
a mighty good barometer--can tell when a gale is brewin'."

At this the captain showed signs of having some work to do, so the girls
arose and thanked him for his hospitality. They had enjoyed the visit,
and on leaving, captain Dave promised to let them see a life drill some
afternoon.

"Isn't that queer about Looney Island?" asked Grace, directly they
reached the board walk. "Luna Land is a pretty enough name, especially
as Captain Dave says the moon sets over there, but 'Looney Land' is
different," she declared. "We will surely have to explore those parts,
Cleo, even if we do have to take a life saver's kit along with us."

"And did you notice Weasle Point? Of course our fire-bug must belong
somewhere out in that sand-bar, and just as much of course, we will have
to find out all about the queer diggin's. Better not tell Julie, she is
so nervous, and I'm sure Margaret would want to fetch along our only
two town police officers, she is so practical. There they are--the
girls, I mean. See them just turning around 'B' street?
Coo-ee--Whoo-ee!" called Cleo, her hand cupped to her lips to send out
the yodle.

Cutting across the little stretch of green that bound Glimmer Lake,
Margaret and Julia were soon on the board walk.

"Oh listen!" shouted Julia. "Listen!" she repeated in that useless way
girls have of holding off news.

"We are listening, of course," replied Grace, "but get your breath or
you'll choke. What's the excitement!"

"That funny girl with the tongue," Margaret managed to say, before Julia
could get her breath. "She's the queer