It was Will who opened the door. "Elijah! Come in!" Bram jumped up, ran over and hugged him. But Ben cast one look at the constable and told his sons:

"Will, Bram, go and help Anne on the beach. And then go by the post office whether there is any news from Alice, all three of ye."

Bram pouted and Will looked from his father to Elijah with a little frown, but both boys left. "What's wrong, Elijah?" Ben said, as soon at the door fell shut. He picked up the net he and the boys had been working on and put it in the corner, to make space.