"Do you cal'late what I told you I'd heard whispered about the professor foolin' away their money is so?" asked Tobias slyly.
"Oh, yes. Father is away just now. Professor Endicott came to the house to find him, and he seemed in great trouble. He as good as let the cat out of the bag."
"That he was broke?" ejaculated the startled lightkeeper.
"Yes. Something like that. To Aunt Ida."
"Oh, sugar!" murmured Tobias. Then: "Guess we're all in the same pickle."
"What do you mean?" asked Lorna, a little startled by the sudden change in the expression of the old man's countenance.
"Ain't you heard?"
"Heard what? I have heard nothing at all startling."
"Didn't your folks have any money in the Clinkerport Bank?"
"Only Aunt Ida's household account. A matter of a few hundred dollars. Why?"