The Lighthouse Mystery by Gertrude Warner Read Free Book Online Page A

a storm coming up now.”
    “I don’t,” said Benny. “There isn’t a cloud in the sky.”
    “Maybe not today,” said Grandfather, “but soon. It is lucky we have a nice tight lighthouse to stay in. We’ll see some big waves.”
    “Oh, I love big waves,” said Violet. “They are so beautiful dashing on the rocks. And we are right by the water—almost in the water.”
    The storm did not come that night. The family had supper on the rocks. They had a fine night with no mosquitoes.
    “Pretty good screens,” said Benny.
    All the next day they swam or sat on the beach in the sun. Then the family had supper on the rocks. Just as they finished, Grandfather said, “Look! The storm! The wind has changed!”
    Sure enough, clouds were speeding across the sky.
    Jessie and Henry gathered the supper things together.
    They hurried into the lighthouse just as the first drops began to fall.
    “Just a little rain,” said Benny, laughing. “It feels good on my head. I like to get my hair wet.”

CHAPTER 11
    A Wild Storm
    W hen the Aldens had shut all the windows and looked out at the sea, they changed their minds about the rain. This was no little rain. This was a storm.
    The sky became very dark. There was thunder. The rain fell in sheets. The wind made a terrible noise around the lighthouse.
    “You do know about the weather, Grandfather,” said Benny. “You said a storm was coming, and boy! here is a storm.”
    “There goes a telephone pole,” shouted Henry. “Nobody can telephone out of this town tonight.”
    “I hope no one is out in a boat,” said Violet. “The waves would tip it over.”
    The waves dashed up against the lighthouse. They even ran down the road and covered it with water.
    The storm grew worse. Lightning made the whole beach light. The thunder sounded very loud over the water.
    “I don’t care for this at all,” said Violet. “It seems dangerous.”
    “It is dangerous,” said Grandfather quietly. “I surely hope nobody is out in a boat.”
    The storm did not stop. It grew even worse. The waves covered the whole wide beach. Suddenly there was a loud knock at the door.
    “Who in the world is that?” shouted Benny. “I hate to open the door. The rain will pour in.”
    But Henry opened the door. It was Mr. Cook.
    “Have you seen my son?” he cried. “Where is my son?”
    “Come in, quick!” said Henry. “We don’t know where your son is. We haven’t seen him today.”
    “Oh, oh!” cried the man. “My wife told me to look in the little house first, but he isn’t there. He must have taken my boat! He’s out in my boat! What shall I do? He will tip over. Nobody could handle a boat in this storm!”
    Henry said, “Is there any Coast Guard around here?”
    “In Ashland,” Tom Cook cried. “They haven’t time to get here.”
    “We’ll see about that,” said Henry. He dragged on his raincoat and went to open the door.
    “Where are you going, Henry?” asked Grandfather sharply.
    “I’m going for the Coast Guard. The telephone’s out. We can’t do a thing alone.”
    Mr. Alden opened his mouth. Then he shut it again. He knew Henry had to go.
    Henry was backing the car around. “Get in,” said Henry to Mr. Cook. “Quick!” And off he drove through the water that covered the road, splashing it high as he went.
    After Henry and Mr. Cook had gone, Mr. Alden was very quiet.
    At last Violet said, “Henry will make it. He always does.”
    “I hope you’re right, child,” said Mr. Alden. “I am worried. If Larry is out in the open sea in this, I don’t see how he can ever get to land.”
    “Maybe he knows the weather, too,” said Jessie. “Maybe he started out for home before the storm came.”
    “How awful that the light in this lighthouse is gone!” said Benny. “If we could only light that, he could find his way better.”
    “The reflector is left,” said Jessie. “Maybe a small light would show a little.”
    Everyone had a flashlight that would stand up. Benny