like it. Fogarty, the fisherman's, got the key, or
oughter have it, but the light-keeper's responsible,
so I hearn tell. Git-up, Billy," and the talk drifted
into other channels.

The incident was soon forgotten. One young
man more or less did not make much difference in
Warehold. As to Captain Nat, he was known to be
a scrupulously honest, exact man who knew no law
outside of his duty. He probably did it for the
boy's good, although everybody agreed that he could
have accomplished his purpose in some more merciful
way.

The other sensation--the departure of the two
Cobden girls, and their possible prolonged stay abroad
--did not subside so easily. Not only did the neighbors
look upon the Manor House as the show-place
of the village, but the girls themselves were greatly
beloved, Jane being especially idolized from Warehold
to Barnegat and the sea. To lose Jane's presence
among them was a positive calamity entailing
a sorrow that most of her neighbors could not bring
themselves to face. No one could take her place.

Pastor Dellenbaugh, when he heard the news, sank
into his study chair and threw up his hands as if to
ward off some blow.

"Miss Jane going abroad!" he cried; "and you