"If you were I, you would take it with bells on.

Others may yearn for the strenuous life, but not your humble servant.

As for me, I stay here and 'clean up around.'" And stay he did, performing the cleaning up and other duties with unexpected success and zeal.

Atkins, for the first day or two, watched him intently, being still a trifle suspicious and fearful of his "substitute assistant." But as time passed and the latter asked no more questions, seemed not in the least curious concerning his superior, and remained the same cool, easy-going, cheerful individual whom Seth had found asleep on the beach, the lightkeeper's suspicions were ended.

It was true that Brown was as mysterious and secretive as ever concerning his own past, but that had been a part of their bargain.