"I am thankful you escaped injury by the storm," she shuddered. "It must have been fearful out on the water."
"It was pretty rough, I admit," he said. "But it is over now, and no harm done."
"You had better change your clothes before you sit down to eat."
"I will," said Ralph, and went upstairs for that purpose.
When he came down again he found the evening meal on the table, and, being hungry, he ate his full share.
Mother and son spent a quiet evening at home, and retired early. In the morning Ralph was up before sunrise, putting things in order around the house.
By eight o'clock he was on his way to Eastport. As he was crossing the bridge, Dan Pickley stopped him.
"Ain't you got an extra key to the bridge lock?" he asked. "I want one for myself and one for Andy Wilson, who is going to help me."
"There is but one key," returned Ralph. "I always left that in a safe place in the office, and whoever was here used it."
"Then you ain't got a duplicate?"