Seaside Park was a very popular ocean resort. It was a trim little town with a normal population of less than three thousand souls. In the summer season, however, it provided for over ten times that number. A substantial boardwalk fronted the beach where people bathed, lined with stores, booths, and curio and souvenir tents. There were several restaurants for the convenience of those who had run down from the big cities to take a day’s enjoyment and did not care to stay at the pretentious hotels.
The three friends had made for this part of the resort as soon as they had arrived. As they had strolled down the boardwalk Frank had studiously observed the general layout and the points where the pleasure-seekers most congregated. Randy was quite as much interested in peering in at the windows of the few buildings bearing “To Rent” signs. Pep made a deliberate stop wherever a show place attracted his attention. Now all three had halted in front of an unoccupied building and were looking it over critically.
“I say, fellows,” observed Frank, “this is worth looking into.”
“It’s certainly a fine location,” added Randy.
“Just made for us,” piped the exuberant Pep.
The building was frame and one story in height. It was of ample breadth, and as the brisk and busy Pep squinted down its side he declared it was over one hundred feet long. Randy went up to the chalked-over windows, while Frank took out a card and copied the name and address of the owner given on the rent sign.
“Hi, this way!” suddenly hailed the active Pep. “The door isn’t locked.”
“That’s great,” spoke Randy. “I want to see what the inside looks like.”
“Hello, there!” called out a man’s voice as they stepped over the threshold of the broad double doorway.
“Hello yourself, mister,” retorted Pep cheerily, “we were sort of interested in the place and wanted to look it over.”