Over the simple lunch which was soon set out the boys grew better acquainted with the keeper and his niece. She mentioned that she had met Noddy at a sociable where a girl companion had introduced her to him.
“He’s very nice to me,” Jessica confided to Ned. “He is going to take me for a long ride in the boat some day. It’s very fast, even if you did beat us to-day. His engine wasn’t working right, or he’d have come in first.”
Ned tried to turn the conversation. He did not want to talk about Noddy behind his back.
“There’s my assistant,” spoke Mr. Hardack, as he pointed out of the window. Jerry and his chums looked. Though they said nothing they had no difficulty in recognizing Bill Berry. He was filling some lanterns at an oil box in the yard.
“I don’t much fancy him,” the keeper went on. “He’s too silent. This is a lonesome place, and I like persons who can talk. I hope you boys will come again.”
“We’ll be glad to,” Jerry replied.
Mr. Hardack showed them all over the lighthouse. They inspected the machinery, which, by means of weights, revolved the frame containing the powerful lenses.
“We flash one white light and two red lights at intervals,” explained the keeper.
“And if anything should interfere with the proper workings of the machinery, I suppose there would be danger,” said Bob.