And the order came from a man who now stood in clear view. His face was not pleasant—it was old and weather-beaten, and he was wearing one of those queer hats known as S’ou’-westers.
“Looks like a fisherman,” Cara said more confidently.
But a sudden thrusting up of the window-pane no longer left time for speculation. The next moment the girls gazed amazedly at an old man in the garb of a seaman, and Babs, at least, instantly recognized him as Davy Quiller, the lighthouse keeper.
“Davy!” she gasped. “What ever do you want here?”
“I want oil, lamp oil, and I’ve got to get it,” thundered the intruder. “I knew you were up ’cause I could see you per’radin’ around. And the rest of this house must be dead ’cordin’ to the way they sleep. I’ve been a-poundin’ on every winder an’ door. And I couldn’t wait another minute. Got any kerosene oil on these premises?”
Babs and Cara understood. The lighthouse tender had to have oil for his light, and he was justified in seeking it even under these unusual circumstances.
“I don’t believe we ever use oil here,” Cara spoke up. “But I’ll find out,” she hurried towards the door to call a servant.
“Mighty sorry to spoil your—show,” the old man muttered. “But I had to get in here. I’ll get right down again and wait outside. ’T’ain’t any harder than walking downstairs,” and he was stepping over the rail, down to the first porch with the alacrity of a much younger man. Captain Davy Quiller was “no slouch.”
By now the household had been pretty well aroused, and the girls, who had merely fancy robes on, were scurrying to get into something more presentable. Cara in her bridal attire and Babs in her collegiate outfit however, seemed little concerned about their personal appearance. They sensed an emergency, and that at the lighthouse, so their search for lamp oil was added to that of Captain Quiller’s. Ruth Harrison, the Indian girl, was another who felt dressed enough for appearance on the porch, so that when the big arc light was flashed on, as most of the Burke household assembled beneath it, Babs, Cara and Ruth made a striking picture. Among those present were Dudley Burke and Dick Landers, his house guest, and of course the boys immediately set up “a howl” when they beheld “the show.”
“Keep still!” ordered Cara severely. “Don’t be silly. We’ve got to get oil. Captain Quiller, where do they keep oil around here?” she asked competently.