and sat back thinking about any possible circumstances that may have been overlooked that could explain the disappearances. He recalled the conversation he had with Moore just before they cast off for Eilean Mor, regarding the strange and possibly tragic situation. The Hesperus had been scheduled to return to the island on Dec 21, but foul weather had forced a delay.

"I can't understand it," Moore had said to Harvie, while they were standing on the dock as the Hesperus was made ready to sail for the return to Eilean Mor.

Moore had continued, "Jim runs a tight ship. If he could draw a breath, there is no way the light would be allowed to go out." Harvie knew that "Jim" was a reference to James Ducat, the Principal whowas in charge of operations on the island.

"Well," Harvie replied, "could one of the others have snapped, and ... you know..."

Moore cut him off. "Tommy is as reliable and stable a Lighthouse man as you'll ever meet. I know Macarthur is an occasional, and was there because of Ross being sick and all, but he knows the business and volunteered as a replacement. Nope, I'd sooner believe they were taken by a Kraken, then one of them turning on the other two."