near the dunes that
night, wasn't he, Davy? When his boat went over, he could have waded
ashore, only he did not know where he was--and the fog hid the Light;
but every one knows about Tom Davis, and if a boat did go over, a--a
person would try to wade ashore. Don't you think so, Davy, remembering,
as he would, Tom Davis?"

"Ye got Mark on yer mind, eh?" Davy came down to the little sitting room
and turned up the lamp wick. "Well, ye bet Mark put in somewhere 'fore
this gale struck him. Tom Davis was different, he didn't take no
precautions, ever. He was in his ilers an' boots when he went over, an'
he wasn't reefed none. He wanted t' get here quick with a fair wind--if
such a foul gale could be called fair. He wanted t' take part in a show
down t' the church. But his time had come; an' the curtain went down on
him out there alone in his water-sogged boots an' heavy iler coat! Tom
Davis was born fur misfortin as the sparks fly up'ard. Him, with them
boots an' ilers on, in a gale sich as that war!"

"Davy, what was that?" Janet clung to the keeper, her eyes dark and
fear-filled.

"It sounded 'most like a human call, now didn't it?" said Davy, raising
his head; "it's a gull, that's what it is, Janet. A more knowin' gull
than the rest!"

"Are you sure, Davy? It could not be--anybody calling, could it?"

"Gosh! no, no. What do ye suppose any one would be callin' fur?"

"Why, if he were in danger."

"'T ain't anybody on the bay, Janet. City folks is gone, an' the
Quintonites ain't chancin' a pleasure trip in this gale. Get downstairs,
Janet; it's just possible some one's knockin' an' callin' below."

Janet waited for no second bidding. Down the iron stairs she ran, and
never paused until she reached the lower door. This she opened
cautiously, and braced herself against it to keep out further entrance
of the terrific wind.

"Any one there?" she shouted. The noise of the storm alone replied.

"Any one outside?" Again she called. A soft something fell at her feet
with a dull thud. It was a gull, broken winged, its life beaten out
against the glass of the Light! Once again she shouted, "Any one there?"

On the wind came that strange, weird call that had frightened her in the
tower. It rose and fell piteously, and passed on with the blast.

"I never heard that before to-night!" Janet murmured, as she forced the
door shut; "it is new and awful!"

She went into the living room and lighted the fire. She would not try