The day passed swiftly. The weather cleared and the sun came out strongly. The air smelt of gorse and primroses and the salt of the sea. Lovely! They went shopping for Aunt Fanny, and stopped to talk with James, the fisher-boy.

“Your father’s got the island, I see,” he said to George with a grin. “Bad luck, Miss. You’ll not be going over there so often. And nobody else will, either, so I’ve heard.”

“That’s right,” said George. “Nobody is allowed to go over there for some time. Did you help to take some of the stuff over, James?”

“Yes. I know the way, you see, because I’ve been with you,” said James. “Well, Miss, how did you find your boat when you went across yesterday? I got her all ship-shape for you, didn’t I?”

“Yes, you did, James,” said George, warmly. “You made her look beautiful. You must come across to the island with us next time we go.”

“Thanks,” said James, his ready grin showing all his white teeth. “Like to leave Timmy with me for a week or two? See how he wants to stay!”

George laughed. She knew James was only joking. He was very fond of Timmy, though, and Timmy adored James. He was now pushing himself hard against the fisher-boy’s knees, and trying to put his nose into his brown hand. Timmy had never forgotten the time when James looked after him so well.

The evening came, and the bay was softly blue. Little white horses flecked it here and there. The four gazed across to Kirrin Island. It always looked so lovely at this time of the evening.

The glass top of the tower winked and blinked in the sun. It looked almost as if someone was signalling. But there was no one in the little glass room. As the children watched they heard a faint rumbling sound, and suddenly the top of the tower was ablaze with a curious glare.

“Look! That’s what happened yesterday!” said Julian, in excitement. “Your father’s at work all right, George. I do wonder what he’s doing!”

Then there came a throbbing sound, almost like the noise of an aeroplane, and once more the glass top of the tower shone and blazed, as the wires became full of some curious power.

“Weird,” said Dick. “A bit frightening too. Where’s your father at this very moment, I wonder, George. How I’d like to know!”

“I bet he’s forgotten all about meals again,” said George. “Didn’t he wolf our sandwiches — he must have been starving. I wish he’d let Mother go over there and look after him.”

Her mother came in at that moment. “Did you hear the noise?” she said. “I suppose that was your father at work again. Oh dear, I hope he doesn’t blow himself up one of these days!”

“Aunt Fanny, can I stay up till half past ten tonight?” asked Anne, hopefully. “To see Uncle Quentin’s signal, you know?”

“Good gracious, no!” said her aunt. “No one needs to stay up. I am quite capable of watching for it myself!”