Chapter Thirteen AFTERNOON WITH MARTIN
　　By the time they reached the coastguard's cottage the sun was out. It was a real April day, withsudden showers and then the sun sweeping¹ out, smiling. Every thing glittered, especially the sea.
　　It was wet underfoot, but the children had on their rubber boots. They looked for the coastguard.
　　As usual he was in his shed, singing and hammering.
　　'Good-day to you,' he said, beaming all over his red face. 'I was wondering when you'd come andsee me again. How do you like, this railway station I'm making?'
　　'It's better' than any I've ever seen in the shops,' said Anne, in great admiration².
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　　The coastguard certainly had made it well, down to the smallest' detail. He nodded his headtowards some small wooden figures of porters and guards and passengers.
　　'Those are waiting to be painted,' he said. 'That boy Martin said he'd come in and do them for me.
　　Very handy with his paints he is, a proper artist but he's had an accident.'
　　'Has he? What happened?' said Julian.
　　'I don't quite know. He was half-carried home this morning by his father,' said the coastguard.
　　'Must have slipped and fallen somewhere. I went out to ask, but Mr. Curton was in a hurry to getthe boy on a couch. Why don't you go in and ask after him? He's a queer sort of boy -- but he'snot a bad boy.'
　　'Yes, we will go and ask,' said Julian. 'I say, coastguard, would you mind if we looked throughyour telescope again?'
　　'Now you go and look at all you want to!' said the fellow. 'I tell you, you won't wear it out bylooking! I saw the signal from your father's tower last night, Miss George - just happened to belooking that way. He went on flashing for a long time, didn't he?'
　　'Yes,' said George 'Thank you. I'll go and have a look now.'
　　She went to the telescope and trained it on her island. But no matter where she looked she couldnot see Timmy, or her father. They' must be down in his workroom, wherever it was. She lookedat the glass room in the top of the tower. That was empty too, of course. She sighed. It wouldhave been nice to see Timmy. The others had a look through as well, but nobody saw Timmy. Itwas plain that he was keeping close to his master -- a proper little guard!
　　'Well -- shall we go in and see what's happened to Martin?' said 'Julian, when they had finishedwith the telescope. 'It's just about to pour with rain again - another April shower! We could waitnext-door till it's over.'
　　'Right. Let's go,' 'said, Dick. He looked at George. 'Don't be afraid I shall be rude, George. Nowthat I know Mr. Curton is a journalist, shan't bother, about him.'

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