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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/30554-h.zip b/30554-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..3bd2a51 --- /dev/null +++ b/30554-h.zip diff --git a/30554-h/30554-h.htm b/30554-h/30554-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..5d39b4d --- /dev/null +++ b/30554-h/30554-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,10268 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> +<HTML> +<HEAD> + +<META HTTP-EQUIV="Content-Type" CONTENT="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> + +<TITLE> +The Project Gutenberg E-text of The Adventure League, by Hilda T. Skae +</TITLE> + +<STYLE TYPE="text/css"> +BODY { color: Black; + background: White; + margin-right: 10%; + margin-left: 10%; + font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; + text-align: justify } + +P {text-indent: 4% } + +P.noindent {text-indent: 0% } + +P.poem {text-indent: 0%; + margin-left: 10%; + font-size: small } + +P.letter {text-indent: 0%; + font-size: small ; + margin-left: 10% ; + margin-right: 10% } + +P.finis { font-size: larger ; + text-align: center ; + text-indent: 0% ; + margin-left: 0% ; + margin-right: 0% } + +H4.h4left { margin-left: 0%; + margin-right: 1%; + margin-bottom: .5% ; + margin-top: 0; + float: left ; + clear: left ; + text-align: center } + +H4.h4right { margin-left: 1%; + margin-right: 0 ; + margin-bottom: .5% ; + margin-top: 0; + float: right ; + clear: right ; + text-align: center } + +H4.h4center { margin-left: 0; + margin-right: 0 ; + margin-bottom: .5% ; + margin-top: 0; + float: none ; + clear: both ; + text-align: center } + +IMG.imgcenter { margin-left: auto; + margin-bottom: 0; + margin-top: 1%; + margin-right: auto; } + +</STYLE> + +</HEAD> + +<BODY> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventure League, by Hilda T. Skae + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Adventure League + +Author: Hilda T. Skae + +Release Date: November 28, 2009 [EBook #30554] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURE LEAGUE *** + + + + +Produced by Al Haines + + + + + +</pre> + + +<BR><BR> + +<A NAME="img-cover"></A> +<CENTER> +<IMG CLASS="imgcenter" SRC="images/img-cover.jpg" ALT="Cover art" BORDER="2" WIDTH="438" HEIGHT="680"> +</CENTER> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="img-front"></A> +<CENTER> +<IMG CLASS="imgcenter" SRC="images/img-front.jpg" ALT="'There is something in the man's appearance which seems familiar to me.' <I>page 139</I>" BORDER="2" WIDTH="399" HEIGHT="644"> +<H4 CLASS="h4center" STYLE="width: 399px"> +'There is something in the man's appearance which seems familiar to me.' <I>page 139</I> +</H4> +</CENTER> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<H1 ALIGN="center"> +THE ADVENTURE LEAGUE +</H1> + +<BR> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +BY +</H3> + +<H2 ALIGN="center"> +HILDA T. SKAE +</H2> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +THOMAS NELSON AND SONS, LTD. +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +LONDON, EDINBURGH, NEW YORK +<BR> +TORONTO, AND PARIS +</H4> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<H2 ALIGN="center"> +CONTENTS +</H2> + +<TABLE ALIGN="center" WIDTH="80%"> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">CHAP.</TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> </TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">I. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap01">WHAT HAPPENED IN ERRICHA</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">II. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap02">'THE PIRATES' DEN'</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">III. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap03">A SURPRISE</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">IV. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap04">THE COMPACT</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">V. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap05">SUSPENSE</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">VI. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap06">A DISCOVERY</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">VII. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap07">THE SIEGE</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">VIII. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap08">A CRUISE IN THE 'HEROIC'</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">IX. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap09">DISAPPOINTMENT</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">X. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap10">IN WHICH ALLAN IS VERY WISE</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XI. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap11">A NEAR SHAVE</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XII. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap12">SURROUNDED</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XIII. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap13">ANDREW MACPETERS</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XIV. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap14">CAUGHT</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XV. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap15">HAMISH TO THE RESCUE</A></TD> +</TR> + +</TABLE> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="img-map"></A> +<CENTER> +<IMG CLASS="imgcenter" SRC="images/img-map.jpg" ALT="Map of Erricha Island" BORDER="2" WIDTH="782" HEIGHT="545"> +</CENTER> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap01"></A> + +<H2 ALIGN="center"> +THE ADVENTURE LEAGUE +</H2> + +<BR> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER I +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +WHAT HAPPENED IN ERRICHA. +</H4> + +<P> +It was very early on a bright summer morning. Rocks and heather and +green fields lay bathed in sunshine; and round the shores of a small +island on the west coast of Scotland the sea was dancing and splashing, +while in the distance the Highland hills raised their bare crests +towards a cloudless sky. +</P> + +<P> +The sun had not long risen, and it seemed as though no one could be +stirring at this early hour; yet there was an unusual commotion among +the birds nesting on the ledges of a high cliff. The funny little +puffins, with their red, parrot-like bills, were peering anxiously out +of the crevices; while the curious little auks, standing erect in rows +like black and white mannikins, were exceedingly perturbed; and the +kittiwakes flew screaming from the rocky shelves, joining their voices +to the hoarser cries of the guillemots and the booming of the waves +among walls and pillars of rock. +</P> + +<P> +The cause of the birds' agitation was not far to seek. Some figures, +looking very small upon the huge cliff, were crawling on their hands +and knees upon the ledges, gathering eggs. Two were boys; and the red +cap and serge frock of another proclaimed her to be a girl. About +fifty feet below, with nothing between him and the waves which looked +small in the distance, a lad hung suspended by a rope, while the birds +circled and screamed around him. +</P> + +<P> +One of the boys came to where the ledge ended in a sheer drop down to +the sea; and putting something very carefully in his pocket, he rose to +his feet and began to climb upward. +</P> + +<P> +Catching hold of the tufts of heather on the verge of the cliff, he +swung himself on to firm ground, and proved to be a boy of about ten +years of age; thin and wiry, with a dark face and bright twinkling +eyes. His thin brown wrists had grown a long way out of the sleeves of +his jacket; and he had torn a hole in the knee of each knicker. +</P> + +<P> +After rubbing his elbows, which he had grazed against the rocks, he +turned to speak to a little girl who was sitting on a tuft of heather, +looking somewhat forlorn. A handsome collie dog, yellow-brown with a +white ruffle round his neck, was lying impatiently at her feet, every +now and again glancing up at his mistress with bright, inquiring eyes. +</P> + +<P> +'Well, Tricksy,' said the boy; 'tired of waiting, eh?' +</P> + +<P> +'Yes,' replied his sister, 'you've been a long time, and I'm cold. I +don't see why I shouldn't go down the cliffs with the rest of you. +Laddie's tired of waiting too.' +</P> + +<P> +The collie rose upon hearing his name mentioned, and thrust his nose +into the boy's hand, wagging his tail and looking as though he would +say, 'Come along now, do; and tell the others to come; you've played at +that dangerous game long enough; let's all have a jolly scamper after +rabbits!' +</P> + +<P> +A red cap appeared over the edge of the cliff, followed immediately by +a laughing face framed in a crop of fair curly hair; then a girl +scrambled on to firm ground. +</P> + +<P> +'Hulloa, Reggie! are you there already?' she said. 'How many have you +got?' +</P> + +<P> +'Five,' said Reggie, displaying the contents of his pockets; 'an auk's, +two puffin's, and two kittiwake's. Aren't they prettily marked?' +</P> + +<P> +'Beauties,' replied the girl, examining the eggs. 'Better get Neil to +blow them for you; he always does it the best. I have only two, and +another broke as I was getting it out; but oh, it was glorious down on +these ledges! I'd like to have a scramble like this every morning!' +</P> + +<P> +'I daresay,' broke in an exasperated little voice; 'fine fun for you +others to get up at four in the morning when the steamer isn't expected +until six, and go scrambling about on the rocks, getting sea-birds' +eggs, saying that you'll only be five minutes, and then stay an hour!' +</P> + +<P> +The child spoke in little rushes and gushes, and her eyes twinkled and +looked pathetic by turns in her little dark, round face. +</P> + +<P> +'An hour, Tricksy! It can't have been so long as that!' +</P> + +<P> +'Indeed it was, Marjorie, because I have Reggie's watch; he left it +with me, and it has been rather tiresome waiting here, when you know I +mayn't climb the rocks as you do.' +</P> + +<P> +'Poor Tricksy, what a shame! It's too bad of us, leaving you alone all +that time. Just wait until you are a year or two older, and then your +mother will let you climb like the rest of us. Who would have thought +that we had been away so long! Time <I>does</I> go so quickly when you're +scrambling about for eggs!' +</P> + +<P> +She looked around with bright, fearless blue eyes; a tall, slight girl +of fifteen, with a face so tanned by sun and wind as almost to have +lost its extreme fairness, and with the quick, free movements which +speak of perfect health and an open-air life. +</P> + +<P> +'Hulloa,' said Reggie suddenly; 'there's the steamer!' +</P> + +<P> +'Where?' asked both the girls eagerly. +</P> + +<P> +'Over there, just rounding the headland, quite in the distance; you can +see the trail of smoke, She won't be in for some time yet.' +</P> + +<P> +For a minute or two the young people stood watching the grey line upon +the horizon; then Marjorie said— +</P> + +<P> +'She's coming along pretty quickly. Hadn't we better call the others +and let them know?' +</P> + +<P> +'Yes, do,' said Reggie; and hollowing their hands, they shouted, +'Neil!—Hamish!—hulloa!—the steamer!' +</P> + +<P> +Their voices were blown back to them by the wind; but the lad on the +rope happening to look up, the others pointed energetically out to sea, +where the hull of the steamer was now becoming visible. +</P> + +<P> +The boy glanced round; then climbed quickly hand over hand up the rope, +and joined the others. +</P> + +<P> +'The steamer at last,' said Reggie. 'See, she is just rounding Erricha +Point now; she won't be long in coming in. Isn't it jolly about the +measles, Neil?' +</P> + +<P> +'Jolly for those who didn't happen to take them,' suggested Marjorie. +</P> + +<P> +'Allan's holidays began six weeks sooner than they would have done if +the boys hadn't all been sent home,' continued Reggie. +</P> + +<P> +'He is coming just when we're having the best fun,' said Marjorie, +watching the steamer with thoughtful eyes; 'what jolly times we'll have +now. That was an awfully good idea of yours, Neil.' +</P> + +<P> +The tall lad looked gratified. He was a handsome youth of about +seventeen, dressed in the rough clothes of a fisherman, but refined in +appearance, with a straight nose, dark blue eyes, and curly black hair. +</P> + +<P> +'I will be thinking that you and the others had as much to do with it +as I had, Miss Marjorie,' he replied. +</P> + +<P> +'Not at all, old fellow,' said Reggie, who always spoke to his friend +as though he were a boy of his own age; 'not at all; we never could +have made the place what it is if it hadn't been for you. Hulloa, +Hamish, old chap,' he added good-humouredly, as a somewhat +sleepy-looking, fair-haired boy joined the group—'reached the top?' +</P> + +<P> +Marjorie looked angry, as she always did when Reggie Stewart assumed +patronising airs towards her brother. +</P> + +<P> +'Yes,' replied Hamish simply; 'I thought there was no hurry, as the +steamer won't be in for a while, and I was trying to reach down for +these little things. Look, Tricksy, I thought you might like to have +them—two young puffins, not long hatched.' +</P> + +<P> +'O Hamish, what <I>lovely</I> little things!' cried Tricksy, her eyes +growing large and her little round face dimpling with pleasure; 'it +<I>was</I> good of you to get them for me.' +</P> + +<P> +At this moment Laddie, who had been standing impatiently beside the +group, pricked up his ears with a growl, looking at something a short +distance away. +</P> + +<P> +'What's the matter with you, Laddie?' said Reggie. +</P> + +<P> +'He's looking at that man over there,' said Marjorie; 'who is it? He +seems to want to speak to you, Neil.' +</P> + +<P> +Neil looked round and then reddened slightly. +</P> + +<P> +'It will be that poor fellow Gibbie Mackerrach, one of the band of +gipsies who are staying here just now,' he said. 'Go away, Gibbie,' he +added in Gaelic, shaking his head, since it was unlikely that the gipsy +would be able to hear distinctly where he stood; 'I can't come.' +</P> + +<P> +'It's the lad who isn't quite right in his mind, isn't it?' said +Marjorie; 'the one whom you helped when his boat was upset on the loch?' +</P> + +<P> +'Yes, it will be the poor fellow who had the ducking,' replied Neil. +'He will be quite harmless, only a little odd. You will nefer be +seeing him with the others; he will always be wandering about by +himself, and sleeping in all kinds of places. Och! but this will not +do though; he is meddling with our coats that we took off when we were +going to climb. Hi, Gibbie! you must not be touching these things.' +</P> + +<P> +The lad's handsome, foolish face became overspread with a smile as Neil +came towards him. +</P> + +<P> +'Good Neil—kind Neil,' he said, patting him on the arm. +</P> + +<P> +'Now go away, Gibbie; there's a good lad,' said Neil. 'I will have no +time to be talking to you just now, and you must not be touching our +things. You had better go home, Gibbie; they will be looking for you.' +</P> + +<P> +'Be quiet, Laddie,' said Reggie authoritatively to the dog, who was +still growling; 'he is not doing any harm.' +</P> + +<P> +Laddie's remonstrances died away in a disapproving grumble, as though +he were saying that he wasn't satisfied yet, and would renew the +subject upon some future occasion. +</P> + +<P> +'If you don't mind,' said Neil, who had been watching the retreating +form of the gipsy, 'I will be going a bit of the way with him. He iss +trying to cross the Shaking Bog now, and he might be coming to harm in +it.' +</P> + +<P> +'All right, Neil; see you again later,' said the others. +</P> + +<P> +'Tricksy, what's the matter with you?' cried Marjorie; 'you are +trembling like anything, and your teeth are chattering in your head.' +</P> + +<P> +'Cold,' said the little girl, whose small dark face was beginning to +look pinched and unhappy; 'and I'm a little hungry too; we hadn't time +to get anything to eat when you and Hamish came for us so early.' +</P> + +<P> +'Comes of leaving you up there so long,' said Marjorie; 'how careless +we were. Whatever will your mother say if you get ill.' +</P> + +<P> +'Here, Tricksy,' said Hamish, 'take this coat, I don't want it; and +look, the steamer is not far from the pier; she is coming in at a rate. +We'll have to run if we want to get in as soon as she does. Take my +hand, and I'll help you along, and you'll be warm in half a jiff.' +</P> + +<P> +Tricksy smiled in a consoled way as she put her hand into the big +outstretched one of the boy; and the whole party set off to race along +the top of the cliff and down to where the pier jutted out from a small +village nestled in a low part of the shore. +</P> + +<P> +Laddie gave an excited bark and scampered beside the others, wondering +what was going to happen. +</P> + +<P> +The steamer was coming in pretty fast, and the pier being encumbered +with nets and with crans of newly caught fish, they reached the +mooring-place just as the hawser was being thrown ashore. +</P> + +<P> +A bright-looking boy of about fourteen years of age was standing on +deck with his hands in his pockets and a tweed cap on the back of his +head, and a tall, sunburnt gentleman was beside him. +</P> + +<P> +'Hulloa, father! hulloa, Allan!' said Tricksy, dimpling and smiling. +</P> + +<P> +Laddie looked up for a minute; then burst into a joyous barking, and +sprang several feet off the ground, turning round in the air before +once more alighting upon his paws; then he tore up and down the pier +like a dog out of his senses. +</P> + +<P> +In the midst of his excitement the gangway was thrown across, and the +sailors stood aside to let the laird and his son leave the vessel. +</P> + +<P> +Immediately Laddie bounded forward and danced around them, barking +until the rocks echoed, and waving his bushy tail in an ecstasy of +welcome. +</P> + +<P> +'Down, Laddie, down,' said Mr. Stewart sternly; and Laddie, after +looking up pathetically for a minute or two, contented himself with +following Allan as closely as he could. +</P> + +<P> +'How do you do, Marjorie?' said Allan. 'Hulloa, Hamish; glad to see +you! Hulloa, Reggie!—Tricksy, why don't you keep your dog in better +order?' +</P> + +<P> +Tricksy looked hurt. +</P> + +<P> +'He's a very well-trained dog,' she declared. 'He only barks because +he is glad to see you.' +</P> + +<P> +'Tricksy thinks she owns a dog,' said her father, smiling down at the +little girl, 'but in reality the dog owns her.' +</P> + +<P> +'Daddy, you are always teasing me,' said Laddie's eight-year-old +mistress; 'he's a <I>most</I> obedient dog.—Laddie, come here.' +</P> + +<P> +Laddie glanced at her and then looked up adoringly at Allan without +stirring from his side. +</P> + +<P> +'That is so like a dog,' observed Marjorie; 'they always make more fuss +about a boy, even if he hardly notices them, than over a girl who is +always petting them. It's too bad.' +</P> + +<P> +Tricksy looked mortified. +</P> + +<P> +'It's because he's so glad that Allan has come home,' she said. 'Just +wait, Daddy; he'll obey me sometime.' +</P> + +<P> +Mr. Stewart and Hamish smiled; but the others were clustering round +Allan, asking questions. +</P> + +<P> +'Had you a good journey, Allan? The steamer's very late. How are the +measles? Are many of the boys ill? Lucky you didn't take it.' +</P> + +<P> +'It's very jolly that you've got such long holidays, Allan,' said +Tricksy, who was walking on her tip-toes with pleasurable anticipation. +'We've got such a jolly game at present; and Neil's helping us.' +</P> + +<P> +'How is old Neil?' asked Allan. +</P> + +<P> +'First-rate,' said Reggie. 'He was with us this morning, gathering +eggs.' +</P> + +<P> +'Gathering eggs!' said Allan; 'you've been up very early.' +</P> + +<P> +'Yes,' replied Marjorie; 'Reggie and Tricksy heard that you were +expected at six in the morning, so they rode over to ask us to be sure +to come and meet you at the steamer. We got up ever so early—I don't +know when; and what do you think? After we'd come all that long way +those lazy people were still asleep!' +</P> + +<P> +'Yes,' piped Tricksy; 'at four in the morning we were wakened by having +pebbles thrown up at our windows, and we had to get up and dress in a +brace of shakes.' (Reggie's face darkened. Tricksy was fond of using +slang picked up from her brothers, and he felt it his duty to +disapprove.) 'Then we didn't know what to do to fill up the time, so +we went to Neil's mother's cottage, and Reggie knocked at Neil's +window, so that he came out to see what was the matter; and we all went +egg-gathering on the rocks.' +</P> + +<P> +'Where's father?' said Allan suddenly; he has been left behind.' +</P> + +<P> +'Go on—all of you!' called Mr. Stewart, who was engaged in talking to +a respectably dressed man on the pier; 'don't wait for me.—Take Hamish +and Marjorie home, Allan, and give them some breakfast, and tell your +mother I shan't be long.' +</P> + +<P> +'I wonder who that is with father,' said Reggie; 'I can't see his face. +He looks like a stranger. Father is always having people coming to +talk to him now that he has been made a J.P.' +</P> + +<P> +'Allan,' said Marjorie, 'before we go to your house, I think we had +better go into Mrs. MacAlister's and get a scone or a piece of oat-cake +for Tricksy. She has gone far too long without food. You're hungry, +aren't you, Tricksy?' +</P> + +<P> +Tricksy nodded. Her little dark face was very pale, and she was +struggling with a vexatious desire to cry. +</P> + +<P> +'She always <I>will</I> insist upon doing what the rest of us do, that +child,' said Marjorie in an undertone to Hamish; and Hamish looked +kindly at the youngest member of the band. +</P> + +<P> +'She has no end of pluck, the little kid,' he aid. +</P> + +<P> +'We'll go to Mrs. MacAlister's shop,' said Marjorie. 'I am sure she +must be up by now, and we'll be able to get something.' +</P> + +<P> +The young folks pattered along the unevenly paved streets of the little +village, which had the sea on one side and grassy cliffs on the other. +</P> + +<P> +'It's curious what a lot of people are about so early,' said Marjorie, +as they passed some knots of men and women standing in corners and +talking. 'I wonder whether there is anything unusual going on.' +</P> + +<P> +The party stopped at the door of a small shop which had some cakes and +jars of sweets in the window, and a post-box let into the wall. +</P> + +<P> +'Here's Mrs. MacAlister's,' said Marjorie; 'she has her shop open very +early.' +</P> + +<P> +The little place was in confusion. The shutters were down, but the +shop had not been tidied, and Mrs. MacAlister herself, when she came +forward to serve her customers, was pale and had red eyes. +</P> + +<P> +'Is anything the matter, Mrs. MacAlister?' asked Marjorie, while the +others looked at the untidy shop in surprise. +</P> + +<P> +'Indeed, Miss Marjorie, I will just be having my shop broken into this +night; and they will be opening the post-box and taking away a lot of +the letters,' and the woman threw herself into a chair and began +talking and lamenting in Gaelic, while the children crowded together +open-eyed. +</P> + +<P> +'No, Master Reggie—no, Miss Marjorie; do not be touching anything,' +said Mrs. MacAlister hurriedly, as they approached the shattered +letter-box; 'it hass all to remain as it iss until the chief constable +and the laird hev seen it; and they will be bringing the Sheriff from +Stornwell; it iss an unlucky day for a poor woman like me, whateffer.' +</P> + +<P> +'It's a dreadful thing,' said Marjorie; 'I hope they'll catch the +thief, Mrs. MacAlister.' +</P> + +<P> +Mr. Stewart, accompanied by the stranger and the island constable, was +approaching the door, so the young people trooped out into the street, +feeling greatly excited. +</P> + +<P> +'Who do you think has done it, Allan?' asked Tricksy in an awestruck +voice. +</P> + +<P> +Allan did not answer, and Reggie said, 'How can he tell, Tricksy?' +somewhat curtly. +</P> + +<P> +Tricksy subsided, and a cart laden with peats coming by, Allan stopped +the driver and asked him to give them a 'lift.' +</P> + +<P> +The man helped Tricksy into the cart, and the others scrambled in the +best way they could, and settled themselves among the peats. +</P> + +<P> +'It's a dreadful business this,' said Marjorie, her eyes shining +brighter and bluer with excitement. +</P> + +<P> +'I don't believe such a thing has ever happened with us before,' said +Allan; 'our people have always had the credit of being very honest.' +</P> + +<P> +'Who can it have been?' said Hamish, after considering for a minute. +'I can't believe that any of our people would have done it.' +</P> + +<P> +'There will be no end of a row,' said Reggie, speaking for the first +time. 'Father will have his work cut out for him, as he is a J.P. now.' +</P> + +<P> +'Yes, and the Sheriff coming here, and everything,' said Marjorie. +'How will you like to meet your friend the Sheriff again, Tricksy?' +</P> + +<P> +There was no reply. +</P> + +<P> +Tricksy had fallen asleep among the peats, her head pillowed upon her +arm, and her soft, dark waves of hair falling over her face. +</P> + +<P> +The others began to realise how sleepy they were, after having risen +before sunrise and spent several hours in the strong sea air, and in +spite of excitement, conversation languished while the cart jolted +along and finally halted at the gates of Ardnavoir, the manor-house of +the island of Inchkerra. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap02"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER II +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +THE PIRATES' DEN +</H4> + +<P> +'Neil, old fellow,' Allan was saying, 'I wonder how much longer these +people are going to keep us waiting.' +</P> + +<P> +The two were in a boat that was bobbing up and down upon the waves. +The shore close by was low and sandy, with some seaweed-covered stones +forming a convenient landing-place. On one side the bay swept round in +a curve ending in a rocky headland; and on the other arose low cliffs +with brambles and sea-pinks growing in the crevices. A breeze was +blowing shoreward; and the waves curled and broke upon the beach with a +pleasant sound. +</P> + +<P> +'Nothing more found out about the robbery yet, I suppose?' said Allan, +after they had waited a little longer. +</P> + +<P> +'Nothing at all,' said Neil. 'It iss a most extraordinary affair, for +there iss not a man on the island one could effer be suspecting of +doing such a thing; and if it wass a stranger, the wonder iss how he +will be managing to come and go without being seen. The letter-box +wass broken into from inside the house, and whoever will be doing it +must have got in after MacAlister and his wife wass gone to bed. It +iss a wonder they will not have been hearing anything.' +</P> + +<P> +'There's the MacGregors' pony-cart at last,' said Allan, 'with Marjorie +and Hamish in it. Let's bring the boat to the landing-stones. They +will leave the trap at Mrs. MacMurdoch's cottage until we come back.' +</P> + +<P> +A man came out of the cottage and held the little shaggy pony while +Marjorie and her brother took a variety of miscellaneous articles out +of the cart. +</P> + +<P> +'Hulloa, Allan! hulloa, Neil!' they cried; 'where are the others?' +</P> + +<P> +'Don't know,' said Allan, 'they are dawdling somewhere, and we'll never +get off at this rate. What's all this that you've got with you?' +</P> + +<P> +'Things for the hiding-place,' said Marjorie; 'and a nice lot of +trouble we've had to bring them all this way without breaking any of +them. The pony was particularly tricky, not having been exercised. +You'll get a basket of crockery, Allan, if you'll go and take it out of +the trap. Hamish is carrying some provisions and a tablecloth, and +I've got some knives and forks, and just look at this!—It's a girdle +for making scones with.' +</P> + +<P> +'All right,' said Allan; 'chuck them into the boat, and get in +yourself. But won't it be a little too civilised, bringing all these +things with you?' +</P> + +<P> +'Not at all,' said Marjorie; 'wait till we show you what a jolly place +we're making. We can spend whole days there without ever coming home, +and we must be able to cook dinner and tea for ourselves. We've had no +end of trouble to get all these things out of the kitchen without +Elspeth seeing us. She's so mean, you know, about letting us carry +away anything that doesn't belong to us.' +</P> + +<P> +'All right,' said Allan; 'but when are Reggie and Tricksy going to turn +up? It would serve them jolly well right if we went off without them.' +</P> + +<P> +'There they are in the distance,' said Hamish; 'at least, these seem to +be the dogs.' +</P> + +<P> +'That's certainly Laddie,' said Allan, standing up and looking, 'and +that little black speck seems to be Carlo; but surely those can't be +Reggie and Tricksy with them?' +</P> + +<P> +All stared at two curious figures that looked like animated bundles of +hay coming along the road. +</P> + +<P> +'It is Reggie and Tricksy,' said Neil, whose sailor's sight enabled him +to see farthest; 'and they're carrying something.' +</P> + +<P> +'Carrying <I>what</I>?' said Allan, more and more puzzled. +</P> + +<P> +'Perhaps they're bringing straw for bedding,' suggested Marjorie. +</P> + +<P> +'Then if they are, they're not going to fill up the boat with it on +this trip,' said Allan decidedly. 'We shall be heavily enough loaded +already, with all of ourselves; and they're bringing both the dogs.' +</P> + +<P> +As they came nearer the two walking bundles proved to be indeed Reggie +and Tricksy, carrying enormous bundles of ferns. Reggie's face peeped, +hot and perspiring, round one side of his bundle, which he clasped with +the utmost extent of his arms; and Tricksy, with a smaller burden, +looked with a long-suffering expression over the fronds which tickled +her little nose. Beside them Laddie stepped lightly along, his tail +curling over his back; while in the rear a small King Charles spaniel +waddled painfully along upon his little short legs; his tongue hanging +out, and his long ears sweeping the dust of the road. +</P> + +<P> +'Well,' said Allan; 'whatever are they up to now?' +</P> + +<P> +Reggie came down to the shore, picking his way cautiously over the +stepping-stones. +</P> + +<P> +'You might hold the boat steady for me,' he said in a half-stifled +voice; then, stepping on to the thwarts, he lost his footing and fell +forward, load and all, into the boat. +</P> + +<P> +Promptly he struggled to his feet and wiped his forehead, looking +around with a self-congratulatory smile. +</P> + +<P> +'There,' he said, 'these will be a great improvement to the place. Got +them up, roots and all.' +</P> + +<P> +Meanwhile Hamish had relieved Tricksy of her load, and Neil was helping +the little girl over the stones. +</P> + +<P> +'Why, Tricksy,' said Marjorie, as the little girl took her seat, 'you +<I>have</I> got yourself into a state!' +</P> + +<P> +'I know, but I couldn't help it,' said Tricksy, looking ruefully down +at her little black hands and muddy frock. 'Reggie wanted the ferns +for our garden, and we've been digging away with pieces of wood in the +banks of the burn. Some of them had roots ever so deep down, and we +couldn't help making ourselves muddy. I'll wash my face and hands in +the sea.' +</P> + +<P> +'Why ever did you bring <I>that</I> thing with you?' said Allan in disgust, +pointing to the little dog who was standing on the shore. Already +Laddie had sprung on board and was lying curled up on the stern seat, +confident of his welcome. 'We'll have to leave him in one of the +cottages until we come back.' +</P> + +<P> +'No, no!' cried Marjorie and Tricksy; 'Carlo must come too.' +</P> + +<P> +'Let him come,' said Hamish; 'he won't be in the way.' +</P> + +<P> +The little dog, who had been frisking about and wagging his tail, sat +up and begged, looking from one to the other of the young people with a +beseeching whine. +</P> + +<P> +'You darling,' cried both the girls; and Tricksy sprang out of the boat +and lifted him in. +</P> + +<P> +Allan looked contemptuous as he pushed off; but Laddie gave a little +yelp of satisfaction, and the little spaniel curled himself cosily in +Tricksy's lap, while Marjorie leaned over and petted him when the boys +were not looking. +</P> + +<P> +The steady strokes of the rowers brought the boat rapidly through the +water, while the herring gulls flew screaming around, and a small +island in the middle of the firth came nearer and nearer. +</P> + +<P> +Presently the sea became shallower, and the boat shot up on the beach. +</P> + +<P> +'Here we are,' said Marjorie, springing out first; 'now you must see +what we've made of the place, Allan. Haul up the boat, Hamish; and +Reggie, you might hand out some of these things. Take care you don't +drop any of them. Every one take something, and let's come.' +</P> + +<P> +Laddie waited impatiently while the articles were distributed among the +party, and then followed his young friends with an anticipatory bark. +Carlo was lifted out by Hamish, and immediately set off to chase a gull +which sailed majestically out to sea, and left him barking on the shore. +</P> + +<P> +'Now, Allan,' said Reggie, his dark eyes twinkling; 'you are going to +see what we've been about.' +</P> + +<P> +The island consisted of a beach, rocky on the one side, sandy on the +other, enclosing a stretch of grass and heather. A tiny hill rose by a +deserted shepherd's hut, and a miniature burn trickled down to the sea. +The place had once been used as a grazing ground for a few sheep, but +of late years had been entirely uninhabited. +</P> + +<P> +'Now look, Allan,' said Reggie, as they stood by the bit of dyke which +protected the windy side of the cottage. +</P> + +<P> +'Wh-e-ew,' said Allan; 'you have made a jolly place of it!' +</P> + +<P> +'Rebuilt the cottage, which had been falling to ruins,' said Reggie. +'That was mostly Neil's doing, and Hamish and I helped. Filled up the +holes in the thatch with fresh heather. We all worked at that part of +it. Then you see we've made a bit of a garden and thrown up the turf +for a dyke on the side where the stone one was broken down. The shells +on the path were brought up from the beach of this very island. Isn't +it jolly?' +</P> + +<P> +'Awfully fine,' said Allan. 'Have you given the place a name yet?' +</P> + +<P> +'Why,' said Marjorie, 'it's our Pirates' Den, and we mean to have all +kinds of fun in it all through the summer. The boat is called the +<I>Pirates' Craft</I> now, and we are going to have no end of fine doings, +particularly if Neil has time to join us.' +</P> + +<P> +Allan shoved his cap to the back of his head, and looked about him +again with brightening eyes. +</P> + +<P> +'Awfully jolly,' was all that he could say. 'Neil, you <I>are</I> a fellow +for hitting upon good ideas.' +</P> + +<P> +'Now come along and see the inside,' said Reggie, leading the way. +</P> + +<P> +'This fine strong door was made by Neil,' said Marjorie; 'a fine time +we had getting it over in the boat. We haven't got glass for the +windows yet, and I don't suppose we ever shall; but it doesn't matter. +What do you think of our kitchen?' +</P> + +<P> +Hamish pushed open the door, and they all crowded in to see how Allan +would look. +</P> + +<P> +'Well,' said Allan, 'you <I>have</I> done a lot to the place!' +</P> + +<P> +The clay floor had been swept dean and had been repaired in places; the +hearth had been cleared out, and a kettle hung from a hook in the wide +chimney. Some gaily-coloured pictures had been nailed up over the damp +stains on the walls, and there were some rough chairs and a somewhat +rickety table. Altogether it was a fairly comfortable little cottage. +</P> + +<P> +'You must have worked very hard at this,' said Allan. +</P> + +<P> +'Indeed we have,' said Marjorie. 'We've been gardening, and hammering, +and carpentering all our spare time since you left; Tricksy and all of +us. We'd never have stuck to it as we did if it hadn't been for Neil.' +</P> + +<P> +'Good old Neil,' said Allan, giving the elder lad a friendly pat on the +shoulder. 'Well, I must say it's an awfully jolly place, and I wish +I'd been here while you were working on it.' +</P> + +<P> +'There's plenty to do yet,' said Marjorie; 'we are going to make all +kinds of improvements. Mother and Mrs. Stewart can't make out how we +manage to spend so much time by ourselves and never come to any harm.' +</P> + +<P> +They stood looking around for a few minutes and then Tricksy's voice +broke in, with a little laugh in it, 'Yes, these are very nice chairs, +and it's a very nice table; but are we going to get anything to put on +it?' +</P> + +<P> +All the others laughed. +</P> + +<P> +'Well,' said Allan, 'now I come to think of it, I <I>am</I> a bit peckish. +What do you say, Hamish?' +</P> + +<P> +'Yes,' said Marjorie energetically; 'bustle about, all of you, and +we'll have some dinner before we do anything else. Get some peats, +will you, Reggie; some of the shepherd's peat-stack is still there, and +it comes in very usefully for us.' +</P> + +<P> +A fire was soon burning on the hearth, and Marjorie suggested that the +boys should go to the rocks on the farther side of the island and try +to catch a few fish while she and Tricksy made scones and boiled the +kettle. +</P> + +<P> +The boys scrambled out as far as they could and threw out their lines; +and when half-a-dozen rock-cod had been caught they returned to find +Marjorie and Tricksy very busy over the fire, while a pile of hot +bannocks smoked beside them. +</P> + +<P> +'Take the dishes and set the table,' said Marjorie, rubbing her eyes, +which smarted a little with 'peat reek,' for the chimney did not vent +very well. +</P> + +<P> +'Where shall we set it?' asked Reggie. +</P> + +<P> +'Outside, of course; what's the good of being in a house when it isn't +raining? Besides, it's smoky here.' +</P> + +<P> +A tablecloth was spread on a sheltered piece of turf, and secured at +the corners with stones to keep it from blowing away; then the dishes +were set out upon it. +</P> + +<P> +'What are the dogs about?' asked Marjorie, coming out of the cottage +with a plate of smoking fish. +</P> + +<P> +'Rabbiting, I bet,' said Reggie, and began shouting, 'Laddie! Carlo!' +</P> + +<P> +In a few minutes there was a scamper, and Laddie's head appeared above +a ridge, waiting with pricked-up ears to know what was required of him. +</P> + +<P> +'Dinner, Lad!' said Reggie. +</P> + +<P> +Laddie gave a yelp, sprang up and turned a somersault in the air and +came running, followed by Carlo, who yapped with excitement, his ears +flying behind him and his curly black coat covered with earth and +stalks from burrowing in the rabbit-holes. +</P> + +<P> +'Trust, Laddie,' said Tricksy; and the collie lay down obediently with +his nose on his paws. Carlo stretched himself beside him, but was +unable to restrain his impatience, and sat up more than once and +begged, undeterred by warnings from Laddie, who feared that his little +friend's disobedience might get him into trouble. +</P> + +<P> +'Isn't it awfully jolly having dinner out-of-doors?' said Marjorie, +whose short curly hair was blowing about her face and glistening in the +sun, while her blue eyes danced with merriment. +</P> + +<P> +'Much nicer than indoors,' said Tricksy. 'I wish we could live here +altogether.' +</P> + +<P> +'Jolly tired you'd get of it,' growled Reggie; 'wait till it rains, and +you find yourself shut up with half-a-dozen other people, and both the +dogs, in one little smoky room. You'd tell another tale then.' +</P> + +<P> +'What I will be wondering, Miss Marjorie,' said Neil; 'iss why you will +all be taking so much trouble to keep every one but ourselves from +knowing that you have this place?' +</P> + +<P> +'It is only for a little while,' replied Marjorie. 'Of course we will +bring father and mother over here for a picnic some day and give them a +surprise.' +</P> + +<P> +'And <I>my</I> father and mother too,' piped Tricksy; 'we wouldn't want to +keep a thing from Mummie, except just for a little while, for fun.' +</P> + +<P> +'Then how iss it that you will be finding so much pleasure in having a +secret just now?' +</P> + +<P> +Marjorie looked out to sea with a puzzled expression. +</P> + +<P> +'I don't know,' she said at last, with a little laugh; 'except that +it's such fun knowing that we've got a secret!' +</P> + +<P> +'I've been thinking,' said Allan, who was lying full length upon a +ridge and looking towards Inchkerra, 'while we are having such a jolly +time of it over here, what must be the feelings of the man who stole +those letters, now he knows that the police are after him!' +</P> + +<P> +The others all looked towards the island, where they could see the low, +grey cottages of the little village. +</P> + +<P> +'It seems strange that they haven't got him yet,' observed Marjorie. +</P> + +<P> +'I met MacLean the constable from Stornwell this morning,' said Hamish, +'and he told me that they had no trace as yet, and that they believed +it must have been done by some stranger who came over from the +mainland, and got away immediately after the robbery.' +</P> + +<P> +'I hope so,' said Allan; 'it isn't nice to think of any of our people +being dishonest.' +</P> + +<P> +'If it was a stranger,' said Reggie; 'they may never catch him.' +</P> + +<P> +'I heard father say that he would be traced by the money-orders,' +replied Allan. 'It seems that there were several post-office orders in +a registered letter addressed to father, and that is one of the letters +that is missing. Father says that the thief is sure to try to make use +of the orders sooner or later, and they have sent the numbers to every +post-office in the kingdom.' +</P> + +<P> +'And then the man will be caught!' said Tricksy in an awestruck tone. +</P> + +<P> +'That will be the best chance of getting him,' replied Allan. +</P> + +<P> +'The fellow will find himself in the wrong box then, won't he, Neil?' +</P> + +<P> +'I suppose he will,' replied Neil, rather absently. +</P> + +<P> +'I hope it won't turn out to have been some one on the island,' said +Reggie. +</P> + +<P> +'I hope not,' said Marjorie, looking over to the green fields and brown +heather moors of Inchkerra. 'Isn't it dreadful to think that it may +have been some one whom we know; some one we have spoken to quite +lately?' +</P> + +<P> +'Well, Miss Marjorie,' said Neil, 'do you not think we had better be +getting the table cleared and the things put away? We have plenty of +work before us, if we are to plant all Reggie's ferns; and we must not +stay too late, for it iss anxious about you that Mrs. Stewart and Mrs. +MacGregor will be.' +</P> + +<P> +'Not they,' said Tricksy; 'no one is anxious when they know that you +are with us, Neil.' +</P> + +<P> +Neil looked gratified, and the young people began to collect the dishes. +</P> + +<P> +'Now, don't you bother about this piece of work,' said Marjorie, when +the boys had carried the plates into the cottage; 'you go and amuse +yourselves out-of-doors while Tricksy and I wash the dishes.' +</P> + +<P> +'I wonder why you don't let them do their share of the disagreeable +work, Marjorie,' said Tricksy a little discontentedly, when the boys +had vanished. +</P> + +<P> +'Pooh,' said Marjorie, with her arms in the hot water; 'what's the +good? They'd only hate it, and besides, boys always do these things +badly.' +</P> + +<P> +When the dishes and cooking utensils had been arranged upon the +shelves, Marjorie and Tricksy went out into the garden, their eyes +somewhat dim with peat smoke. +</P> + +<P> +'Come along and help, you two,' cried Reggie; 'must get these things in +this afternoon, or they'll be dead before we come back again. Bother +it, though; we haven't enough tools to go round.' +</P> + +<P> +'Here, Miss Tricksy,' interposed Neil; 'you take this little spade. +This sharp piece of wood will be doing just as well for me.' +</P> + +<P> +'And I've got a pointed piece of slate; I can scrape holes with that,' +said Allan. 'Take this old trowel, Marjorie; it hasn't a handle, but I +don't suppose you'll mind.' +</P> + +<P> +For a long time the young people worked with a will. The sun beat down +upon the unshaded island, and the breeze blew in from the sea, bringing +a salt taste to the lips and blowing the girls' hair about. The waves +babbled round the shore, and the gulls sailed overhead and screamed. +</P> + +<P> +When the sun's rays began to slant, and the pile of ferns was +diminishing, Neil kept glancing over his shoulder to watch the tide. +</P> + +<P> +'There now, that's done,' said Reggie, pressing the earth round the +roots of the last fern and then rising; 'it's a jolly long time it has +taken us. What shall we do next?' +</P> + +<P> +'I think we ought to go now,' said Hamish. 'What do you say, Neil?' +</P> + +<P> +'It is high time we wass making a start,' said Neil. 'The tide iss +rising fast, and the beach iss half covered already.' +</P> + +<P> +'What a pity,' said Tricksy regretfully; 'we've had such a jolly day of +it, haven't we, Marjorie?' +</P> + +<P> +'Awfully jolly,' replied Marjorie; 'but we'll come again soon.—You'll +come too, won't you, Neil?' +</P> + +<P> +'I will be coming as soon as I can be sparing the time, you may be sure +of that, Miss Marjorie,' replied the lad with a smile. +</P> + +<P> +The dogs were recalled from the rabbit-holes and came, their faces +covered with sand, and the boat was pushed off from the shore. +</P> + +<P> +Half-way across the firth, Marjorie turned and looked back regretfully. +</P> + +<P> +'What a pity we have to go home,' she said. 'It would be awfully jolly +to spend all night in the cottage.' +</P> + +<P> +'Look to your oar, Marjorie,' sang out Allan, for the boat was +beginning to turn round. +</P> + +<P> +In a short time they reached the landing-stones, of which the lower +ones were already submerged. +</P> + +<P> +'Won't you all look in and see Mother before you go home?' suggested +Neil, after the boat had been drawn up and secured to the +mooring-chain. 'She'd be pleased if you'd come and say good evening to +her; and Miss Tricksy, you would be seeing the little puffins that +Hamish gave you; Mother tells me that they're coming along finely.' +</P> + +<P> +Mrs. Macdonnell's cottage was not far distant, and the young people +accepted Neil's invitation. +</P> + +<P> +'I'll just tell Mother that you're here,' said Neil, lifting the latch +and vanishing in the interior of the cottage. +</P> + +<P> +'I wonder who Mrs. Macdonnell has with her,' said Allan, in an +undertone. 'I hear voices inside. Perhaps we had better not go in +this evening.' +</P> + +<P> +They waited for some time; but still no one came to bid them enter. +</P> + +<P> +'This is strange,' said Marjorie. 'I wonder whether Neil has forgotten +us.' +</P> + +<P> +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap03"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER III +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +A SURPRISE +</H4> + +<P> +'Allan,' said Mrs. Stewart, coming downstairs, 'your father has to go +to Stornwell and will not be back until to-morrow, so there will be no +cricket match this afternoon. I have a note from Mrs. MacGregor, +asking you all to spend the day at Corranmore instead.' +</P> + +<P> +'All right, Mother,' replied Allan; 'when are we to be there?' +</P> + +<P> +'Mrs. MacGregor asks you to come early,' said Mrs. Stewart, consulting +the letter; 'I had better send you in the dog-cart, as it's rather far +to walk. Duncan is driving your father to the steamer, but he won't be +long.' +</P> + +<P> +'Don't bother about the dog-cart, Mother,' said Allan; 'it would be +much jollier to walk; and we'd like to look in at Mrs. Macdonnell's +cottage on the way and ask what's the matter with Neil. We haven't +seen him for a day or two.' +</P> + +<P> +'I wouldn't go there to-day, I think,' interposed Mrs. Stewart +hurriedly. 'I don't think Neil will be at home. I'm afraid the walk +would be too much for Tricksy,' she went on quickly, for the young +people were looking surprised. +</P> + +<P> +'Not if we start now, I think, Mother, and give Tricksy a rest now and +again. What do you say, Tricksy?' +</P> + +<P> +'Of course I can walk,' said Tricksy. 'I shan't be a bit tired, +Mother.' +</P> + +<P> +Mrs. Stewart looked at her little daughter with a smile. +</P> + +<P> +'I am afraid of your overdoing it, Tricksy; she said. 'You are always +trying to do as much as the others, who are so much older than +yourself. Well, do as you like; I leave you in Allan's charge, and he +will see that you are not made to walk too fast.' +</P> + +<P> +'All right, Mother,' said Reggie; 'but won't you come a bit of the way +with us?' +</P> + +<P> +'Not this morning, dear. I will come with you some other time.' +</P> + +<P> +'All right, Mother,' said Reggie; 'but it's a long time since you've +gone anywhere with us. Cut away upstairs, Tricksy, and get your hat; +it's time we started if we are to take rests on the way.' +</P> + +<P> +'Don't you think Mother is very quiet?' observed Tricksy, as the three +young people, accompanied by Laddie, were crossing the moor. 'I wonder +whether she's sorry about something?' +</P> + +<P> +'I did not notice anything,' said Allan. +</P> + +<P> +Tricksy had almost said, 'No, boys never do, but checked herself in +time. +</P> + +<P> +The road between Ardnavoir and Corranmore led across the northern part +of the island, through fields and moorland. All the turnings of the +way brought into view fascinating glimpses of the sea, running inland +between brown rocks. Fishing-boats with white and russet sails lay +upon water turned to a sheet of silver by the sunlight, and grey and +white gulls floated about and screamed. +</P> + +<P> +The breeze was blowing shoreward, tempering the warmth of the sun and +bringing brine and the odour of seaweed to mingle with the perfume of +bell-heather from the moors. +</P> + +<P> +Laddie stepped lightly beside his young friends, waving his tail in the +air, and now and again pausing to investigate a rabbit-burrow or an +interesting tuft of heather or cotton-grass. +</P> + +<P> +'Well, Tricksy, getting tired yet?' said Allan to his little sister +after they had walked between three and four miles. +</P> + +<P> +'Not a bit,' replied Tricksy, trudging along determinedly, but with a +little roll in her gait which betrayed that she <I>was</I>. +</P> + +<P> +'I think we'll rest awhile,' said Allan, and the three young folk sat +down upon a patch of fragrant, springy heather, while Laddie, after +looking at them for a minute, surprised at such an early halt, curled +himself up beside them. +</P> + +<P> +'I wish Father would get the yacht out soon,' said Allan, watching the +sea and the fishing-boats. +</P> + +<P> +'Yes,' said Reggie; 'he is very late this year.' +</P> + +<P> +'He won't be long now,' said Allan. 'We are going to have visitors +soon. Father has written to ask Graham major and Graham minor and +their Pater to come and stay with us as they have such long holidays +this year, owing to the measles.' +</P> + +<P> +'Who are they?' inquired Reggie. +</P> + +<P> +'Fellows from my school. Did you never hear me speak of them?' +</P> + +<P> +'<I>I</I> didn't,' said Tricksy. 'Are they nice boys?' +</P> + +<P> +'Decent enough.' +</P> + +<P> +'Big or little?' +</P> + +<P> +'One's a small fellow; only been at school one term. The other's +bigger; not more than eleven, though; more of an age for Reggie than +for me.' +</P> + +<P> +Reggie looked indignant, but said nothing. There was nothing that +annoyed him so much as to be reminded that he was not yet a very big +boy. +</P> + +<P> +'Well,' said Allan, 'perhaps we had better be going, if you have rested +enough, Tricksy. Hulloa, there's Euan Macdonnell, the coastguard, +Neil's cousin; we'll stop and ask him if he can come out fishing with +us some day soon.' +</P> + +<P> +'Good day, Euan,' said the young people, pausing to speak, but the +coastguard only saluted and passed on as though he were in a hurry. +</P> + +<P> +Reggie looked at Allan in surprise. +</P> + +<P> +'Been sent on a message, I suppose,' said Allan, 'and hasn't time to +talk. The whole island seems to be upset by this affair at the +post-office. I wish they'd hurry up and catch the fellow and be done +with it. What's the matter with Laddie now?' +</P> + +<P> +The collie, who had been sniffing about, following up a scent, had +suddenly given a bark and sprang over a dyke, and was now yelping and +baying excitedly as he jumped about on the other side. +</P> + +<P> +'Hamish and Marjorie, I bet,' said Allan; and sure enough, two heads +appeared above the dyke, a good-natured one and a mischievous one, the +latter crowned by a scarlet cap on the top of a mass of fair curly hair. +</P> + +<P> +'We thought we'd give you a surprise,' they said, 'but Laddie spoilt it +for us. Good dog, Laddie, lie down,' for Laddie's manifestations of +delight were taking the form of a loud baying which drowned all +attempts at conversation. +</P> + +<P> +'Trust, Laddie!' said Tricksy in her little soft voice; but Laddie took +no notice. +</P> + +<P> +'Laddie, trust!' said Reggie severely; and Laddie subsided at once, +surprised that his attentions should be so little appreciated. +</P> + +<P> +Tricksy uttered a reproachful sigh, caused by her dog's inattention to +her commands. +</P> + +<P> +'When does your mother expect us?' inquired Allan. +</P> + +<P> +'Any time before dinner,' said Hamish. 'That's half-past one, and it's +only eleven now. We've got any amount of time. What do you say to +coming and looking at the gipsy encampment in the Corrie Wood? They're +breaking up camp and leaving the island to-morrow, so we may not have +another chance of seeing them.' +</P> + +<P> +'All right,' said the others, and they trooped off to the tiny wood +nestling in a hollow through which a burn trickled, and from whence a +trail of smoke came blowing across the fresh green foliage of the trees. +</P> + +<P> +All was bustle and stir in the gipsy encampment. Two carts were +standing at the entrance to the hollow, and upon these the gipsies were +piling their household goods—iron pots and kettles, bundles of rags, +some gaudy crockery, and a variety of miscellaneous articles whose use +it would be hard to determine. +</P> + +<P> +At the sight of the young people the gipsies smiled a welcome, and the +men took off their hats. Some small black-eyed children toddled +forward, and stood staring, with their fingers in their mouths. +</P> + +<P> +'Trust, Laddie!' said Allan; for two mongrel curs had rushed out and +barked, whereupon Laddie had stiffened his back and was growling +defiance. +</P> + +<P> +Laddie was obliged to content himself with glaring at the other dogs +and making a few remarks to express his contempt for gipsy dogs, and +his view of their impertinence in presuming to look at his young ladies +and gentlemen. +</P> + +<P> +'Tell your fortune, pretty lady,' said a woman to Marjorie, with a +smile which displayed her white teeth; but Marjorie shook her head. +</P> + +<P> +'You are leaving Inchkerra?' said Allan to one of the men. +</P> + +<P> +'Yes, sir. We start for Ireland to-morrow, in a sailing boat.' +</P> + +<P> +'You haven't stayed very long,' observed Marjorie. +</P> + +<P> +'Three months, lady. A long time for the gipsies.' +</P> + +<P> +'Will you ever come back again?' inquired Marjorie. +</P> + +<P> +The man shook his head. +</P> + +<P> +'Can't say, lady. Maybe yes, maybe no. We never can tell. Thanks, +master; good luck to you,' he said, touching his straggling forelock as +Allan slipped a few coins into his hand. +</P> + +<P> +'Good-bye, masters; good-bye, pretty ladies,' cried the gipsies in +farewell. +</P> + +<P> +Some distance from the hollow, a tall, loosely-made youth rose +unexpectedly from where he had been basking in the sun, by the side of +a dyke which screened him from the cold wind. +</P> + +<P> +In the weak, handsome face and roving eyes the young people recognised +Gibbie, the half-witted gipsy lad. An expression of disappointment +crossed his face as he looked over the group and seemed to miss some +one. +</P> + +<P> +'Neil no with you,' he murmured. 'Want to see Neil. Was not at home.' +</P> + +<P> +'Can we give him any message from you?' inquired Allan. +</P> + +<P> +'Tell Neil, Gibbie go away. Long way; want to see Neil to say +good-bye.' +</P> + +<P> +'Very well,' said Allan. 'When we see him, we'll tell him.' +</P> + +<P> +A crafty smile flitted over the lad's face, and he lowered his voice to +a mysterious whisper. +</P> + +<P> +'Neil will be pleased soon,' he said. 'Good Neil, good Neil. Neil +will be very rich, richer than the Gorjos; has a piece of paper worth +hundreds of pounds. Tell him to look for it. Gibbie go long way off.' +</P> + +<P> +'Poor fellow,' observed Allan to Hamish, as the gipsy returned to his +lazy basking on the heather; 'he is quite crazy; can't speak +connectedly for two minutes at a time.' +</P> + +<P> +'There is one good point in Gibbie's character,' said Hamish; 'he knows +that Neil saved his life, and he is grateful. I think the island won't +be sorry to see the last of him, though. He hasn't lived with his +tribe for weeks. He had a den of his own in the banks of the burn that +flows past our house; a queer place, far up in the hills.' +</P> + +<P> +'Look,' said Reggie, 'that must be the gipsies' boat over there, off +the south side of the island; and a little boat is going out to it with +some of their things.' +</P> + +<P> +'And there are the carts going down,' said Allan; 'it won't be long +before the camp is broken up.' +</P> + +<P> +'Pity we couldn't go gipsying for a little while,' observed Marjorie; +'just for the summer. It would be such fun wandering about from place +to place. But look at the tide coming up in Cateran Bay; the waves are +dashing on the shore and making the most beautiful foam. Would there +be time for us to go down to the beach for a little while?' +</P> + +<P> +'Plenty,' said Hamish; 'Mother doesn't expect us before one o'clock.' +</P> + +<P> +'Come along, then,' said Marjorie; 'let's run;' and they all raced down +to the shore, Laddie with them, the dog jumping with all four paws off +the ground, and barking in anticipation of sport. +</P> + +<P> +Breeze and tide together were flinging up little breakers which curled +on the shore and then retreated, only to be sent up again by the next +roller. A fascinating game was to run down to the very edge of a +retreating wave, with one's toes almost within the line of foam; to +wait until it gathered itself up again, and then fly to avoid being +overtaken by the water which came hissing and bubbling over the pebbles. +</P> + +<P> +Laddie, after watching the fun for a minute or two, suddenly rushed off +with a bark, and returned dragging a huge flat stone which he deposited +at Allan's feet; then he stood eagerly waiting, making a variety of +signs to show Allan that he expected him to do something with it. +</P> + +<P> +'Fetch, Laddie!' said Allan, throwing the stone as far as he could. +</P> + +<P> +Laddie uttered a joyful yelp and sprang after it, returning with it in +his mouth to ask Allan to throw it again. +</P> + +<P> +'Laddie, fetch!' cried Allan, throwing it into the sea this time, and +Laddie plunged into the water and came back dripping. +</P> + +<P> +He laid down the stone and shook himself, to the great inconvenience of +Marjorie; then he jumped about, baying for Allan to throw the stone +once more. +</P> + +<P> +The shouts and laughter and Laddie's barking were making a tumult which +vied with the noise of wind and waves, when Hamish touched Allan's arm +and pointed to the sky. +</P> + +<P> +'Oh, I say,' said Allan, 'we really ought to go; it's going to pour +like anything, and the girls will get wet.' +</P> + +<P> +'I'm wet enough already, I think, especially about the feet,' murmured +Tricksy; while Marjorie's lips tightened. She did not like the boys to +show that they thought her less hardy than themselves. +</P> + +<P> +Some large drops on the stones warned them to hasten; and they reached +the doctor's house just as the storm burst. +</P> + +<P> +Mrs. MacGregor, a pretty, young-looking lady, ran down into the hall to +meet them. +</P> + +<P> +'My dear Tricksy,' she cried, as she took the little girl's wet, cold +hand, 'you are soaking! Your feet are drenched!' +</P> + +<P> +'It's all right, Mrs. MacGregor,' piped Tricksy; 'we've been having a +fine game. Hamish, you've let Laddie in, and his feet are making wet +marks all over the floor!' +</P> + +<P> +'Never mind Laddie,' said Mrs. MacGregor; 'take her upstairs and give +her dry shoes and stockings, Marjorie, and then come to dinner, all of +you.' +</P> + +<P> +'You know, Marjorie,' observed Tricksy, as the elder girl somewhat +anxiously assisted her to pull off her wet stockings; 'you know you are +always telling me that we must be plucky and do all the things they +want us to do when we play with boys, or else they think we're a bore.' +</P> + +<P> +'That's all very well, Tricksy,' replied Marjorie, 'but what shall we +do if you get ill? Your mother would stop your playing with us +altogether if that happened.' +</P> + +<P> +'<I>I</I> get ill with playing out of doors and having fun,' returned +Tricksy scornfully; 'I'm not such a duffer, Marjorie.' +</P> + +<P> +Just before dinner Dr. MacGregor came in, 'such a dear of a man,' as +Tricksy had once described him, with bright blue eyes and curly hair +like Marjorie, and a kind expression like Hamish. +</P> + +<P> +'How do you do, Reggie?' he said. 'How do you do, Allan? Do you like +school as much as ever? My dear,' turning to his wife, 'I shall have +to start immediately after lunch, and here is a note asking you to——' +</P> + +<P> +The remainder of the sentence was lost, but the boys could see that +both Dr. and Mrs. MacGregor were looking very grave. +</P> + +<P> +'I am sorry that Mrs. MacGregor and I must leave you,' said the doctor +while the meal was in progress, 'but I daresay you will manage to amuse +yourselves without getting into mischief; eh, Marjorie?' smiling at his +daughter, whose eyes flashed a saucy answer. 'You can have the boat +down if the rain keeps off.' +</P> + +<P> +But the rain showed no disposition to keep off, despite the anxious +glances which were directed towards the window. When the clouds +gathered once more in threatening masses, and the rain came lashing the +panes, Dr. and Mrs. MacGregor took their departure in a closed +carriage, warning Hamish that the boat was not to be used unless the +sea went down. +</P> + +<P> +'Bother!' said Tricksy, looking at the waves, which were tumbling over +each other and whitening with foam; 'what are we to do while it rains?' +</P> + +<P> +'Sit round the nursery fire, of course, and talk,' said Marjorie. +</P> + +<P> +An immense pile of peats was built up on the hearth of the cosy, untidy +room which had been the MacGregors' nursery; and the young folk sat +round the 'ingle-neuk' and discussed matters dear to the heart of +gamesome youth. +</P> + +<P> +Suddenly Marjorie looked up and said, 'Hurrah! the rain's stopped. +What shall we do?' +</P> + +<P> +'Too stormy to get the boat out,' said Hamish, rising and going to the +window; 'it's still very rough, and there will be another squall soon.' +</P> + +<P> +'<I>I</I> know,' said Marjorie; 'let's play hide-and-seek. No, not a +rubbishy game in the house,' she said, meeting Allan's look of +disapproval; 'a real good game out of doors, in the garden and the +sheds and the ruins. The rain will only make it jollier, and those who +mind getting wet are funks.' +</P> + +<P> +With the wind blowing in gusts, and sudden showers splashing down from +all the roofs, the game promised some fun. Dr. MacGregor's was a +first-rate place for hide-and-seek, with a number of outhouses built +round a paved court, and the ruins of an old castle overlooking the +garden. +</P> + +<P> +Marjorie and Reggie stayed at 'home' in the front lobby, where they +could hear calls both from out of doors or within; and the hiders +dispersed themselves quickly. +</P> + +<P> +Soon three shouts were heard, coming from different directions; and the +pursuers ran out into the rain, which was beginning to fall again. +</P> + +<P> +Hamish was quickly discovered in a window of the old ruin, for he could +not resist the temptation of grinning good-naturedly down from his +perch; but he escaped along the broken flooring while they were waiting +at the foot of a stairway, and reached 'home' before they were aware. +</P> + +<P> +'You didn't give us enough of a chase,' cried Marjorie to him through +the streaming pane; then she went off, rather annoyed, to look for the +others. +</P> + +<P> +They hunted for some time among the outhouses, getting shower-baths of +drops from the eaves; but no one was to be found. At last they saw a +movement among some straw in the byre, and Marjorie made a dash +forward, just too late to catch Allan, who slipped out and made for the +door. +</P> + +<P> +Reggie barred his passage. +</P> + +<P> +'Unfair—different directions!' cried Allan; for it was the rule among +the Stewarts and MacGregors that when two were chasing one they must +both keep to the same route; and Reggie stood aside. +</P> + +<P> +They were pretty fairly matched, pursuers and pursued; and for a long +time Allan led the two others a chase among the maze of buildings; but +at last, his foot slipping upon the wet paving-stones, he was captured +by a bold dash from Marjorie. +</P> + +<P> +'Only Tricksy now,' gasped Marjorie, pushing back her wet hair, which +was clinging about her face; 'we haven't seen a sign of her; where can +she be?' +</P> + +<P> +'You have run enough,' suggested Allan; 'go in and let one of us take +your place.' +</P> + +<P> +Marjorie flashed a glance of indignation at him, annoyed that he should +suppose that she was not going to see the thing out, and after drawing +a few long breaths she and Reggie started off again. +</P> + +<P> +By this time the rain had ceased, and a pleasant smell was rising from +the damp earth and dripping trees. +</P> + +<P> +No little footprints were to be seen in the garden; and it was +impossible that Tricksy could have escaped observation had she been in +the ruins or in any of the outhouses. +</P> + +<P> +They hunted all over the house, then went into the field, and even +climbed the dyke which separated the doctor's grounds from the +moorland; but no Tricksy was to be seen. +</P> + +<P> +'I believe she has gone beyond bounds,' said Allan, who, with Hamish, +had grown tired of waiting and had wandered out to see what was going +on; 'we said the garden and the field, you know.' +</P> + +<P> +'Not she,' declared Reggie, perched outside upon the dyke, with the +wind drying his wet face and clothing; 'we have taught her to play +fair. She is only lying low in some place that we haven't thought of. +Let's shout to her to call "cuckoo."' +</P> + +<P> +They raised their voices and cried, 'Call cuckoo, Tricksy;' and Laddie, +who had been shut in the house to keep him from spoiling sport, but who +had made good his escape behind the boys, pricked up his ears and +resolved to be useful. +</P> + +<P> +A muffled voice was heard in response, and Laddie, with a bark, sprang +towards the peat-stack and stood before it, wagging his tail and trying +to make an entrance with nose and paws. +</P> + +<P> +Some of the peats were tumbled aside, and Tricksy emerged, looking very +indignant. +</P> + +<P> +'A nice way to play,' she said, 'setting Laddie on to me when you +couldn't find me yourselves.' +</P> + +<P> +They tried to explain, but Tricksy's eyes were full of contempt, and +her small figure seemed to grow taller with offended dignity. +</P> + +<P> +'Such a nice hiding-place,' she said; 'and now you've gone and spoilt +it all.' +</P> + +<P> +'Don't be a little silly, Tricksy,' said Reggie to her in an undertone; +and Tricksy allowed her dignity to subside. +</P> + +<P> +Fresh hiding-places were chosen; and when at last the young people were +so tired as to be disinclined to run any more, Marjorie suggested going +indoors to see whether tea were ready. +</P> + +<P> +The dining-room table was bare, and all faces fell. +</P> + +<P> +'I'll just go into the kitchen and see what Elspeth is about,' said +Marjorie; 'perhaps the servants are forgetting us.' +</P> + +<P> +In the stone-floored kitchen, whither they all trooped after Marjorie, +Elspeth was sitting knitting by the fireside. +</P> + +<P> +'Elspeth, when is tea going to be ready?' inquired Marjorie, rather +impatiently. +</P> + +<P> +The girl looked up at her, then down again at her knitting with +pretended indifference. +</P> + +<P> +'Tea, Miss Marjorie? I wass thinking you would not be wanting any tea +to-day.' +</P> + +<P> +Marjorie's lips tightened, but she kept down the rising temper with an +effort. +</P> + +<P> +'Why not?' she asked. 'Here are Allan and Reggie and Tricksy from +Ardnavoir; and we want our tea, please.' +</P> + +<P> +Elspeth looked up, and seemed to see the others for the first time. +</P> + +<P> +'Would you ask the young ladies and gentle men to wipe their feet on +the rug, Miss Marjorie if you please? They are spoiling my kitchen +floor.' +</P> + +<P> +This request made the whole troop feel uncomfortable, and they began +shifting from one foot to the other, conscious that they must have +brought more mud into the house than the authorities were at all likely +to approve of. +</P> + +<P> +'All right,' said Marjorie impatiently; 'we are not coming in any +further; but will you please get tea ready for us as soon as you can?' +</P> + +<P> +'Get tea ready! And how am I to do that, Miss Marjorie, if you please, +when the girdle hass been taken away out of the kitchen? I cannot be +making scones on the open fire.' +</P> + +<P> +Marjorie turned red and bit her lip. +</P> + +<P> +'Oh, never mind the girdle,' she said. 'We'll do without scones for +one day.' +</P> + +<P> +'Indeed, Miss Marjorie, I never saw tea without scones. That may be +the way in foreign parts, but there never wass tea in the West +Highlands without scones; and I will be thinking you will have to wait +till the girdle comes home again.' +</P> + +<P> +A flash darted out of Marjorie's eyes; and she remained rooted to the +spot for a minute. Then she took a sudden resolve and turned away, +elbowing the others out of the room. +</P> + +<P> +'Cat!' she muttered; 'I'll be even with her yet. Never mind, people; +if she won't give us our tea we can get it for ourselves. Get cups and +things out of the pantry, Hamish; and Reggie, you come with me.' +</P> + +<P> +The larder window was rather high up from the ground and was secured by +several iron bars. +</P> + +<P> +With some difficulty they pushed up the lower sash a little way; and +through the opening thus made Reggie contrived to wriggle his slight, +thin body. +</P> + +<P> +'Is there anything there worth carrying away?' said Marjorie, standing +on tip-toe and peering in. +</P> + +<P> +'Here's a cake,' said Reggie; 'and there are several pots of jam.' +</P> + +<P> +'All right, hand them out. There's a pie; we might as well have that; +serve Elspeth right for getting into a temper. Now let's come in with +what we've got.' +</P> + +<P> +Reggie squeezed himself through the opening, feet foremost, and dropped +to the ground. +</P> + +<P> +'Here—Hamish—Allan;' said Marjorie, entering the house; 'take these +things to the dining-room. Have you any plates? No. I'll get them +out of the pantry; and knives and spoons too. Bother, she's got the +teapot in the kitchen; I'll have to go in and get it.' +</P> + +<P> +She strode into the kitchen with flashing eyes and a haughty step; then +stopped short in amazement. +</P> + +<P> +'Elspeth!' she exclaimed; 'whatever are you crying for?' +</P> + +<P> +There was no answer. +</P> + +<P> +'Is it because of the girdle?' +</P> + +<P> +The girl shook her head; the tears falling upon the knitting which she +was holding with trembling hands. +</P> + +<P> +'Is it because we are taking the things out of the larder?' +</P> + +<P> +'Not that, Miss Marjorie.' +</P> + +<P> +'Then whatever is the matter?' +</P> + +<P> +By this time all the others had crowded in, looking very much +astonished. +</P> + +<P> +'Elspeth, are you ill?' asked Tricksy, her large dark eyes growing very +round in her little face. +</P> + +<P> +'No, Miss Tricksy; no, Miss Marjorie; it will be none of that; it will +be Neil.' +</P> + +<P> +'Neil!' exclaimed Marjorie, while the others looked more and more +amazed. 'What's the matter with him? Neil is Elspeth's cousin, you +know,' she explained. +</P> + +<P> +'Neil, poor lad; he will hev been arrested, Miss Marjorie. They will +hev taken him up for robbing the post-office! Eh, Miss Marjorie, your +mother said you weren't to know, and it iss me that will hev been +telling you. Och! the disgrace to an honest family!' and the girl +threw her apron over her head and moaned and lamented to herself in +Gaelic, while they all stood around her, speechless. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap04"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER IV +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +THE COMPACT +</H4> + +<P> +'Neil!' said Reggie; 'it's impossible.' +</P> + +<P> +Marjorie had become deadly white, and Allan pushed the hair back from +his forehead and stood staring, his hands in his pockets. Reggie +pranced backwards and forwards, in uncontrollable excitement, while +Tricksy's dark eyes were growing as large as saucers in her little face. +</P> + +<P> +'Elspeth,' said Marjorie sharply; 'you're talking nonsense, it can't be +true.' +</P> + +<P> +'Indeed, Miss Marjorie, it's the truth I will be telling you; the +police came and arrested him before his mother's eyes that very day +just after he had been out with you on the boat, and he's before the +Sheriff in Stornwell this very day!' +</P> + +<P> +'But, Elspeth, he did not do it! Nobody could believe that old Neil +would do such a thing!' +</P> + +<P> +'Indeed, Master Allan, there are those that do, although Neil, poor +laddie, would no more do such a thing than the laird himsel, or the +king upon his throne! Appearances are against him, poor lad; and it's +for appearances that they've arrested him.' +</P> + +<P> +'What appearances, Elspeth? Tell us about it?' +</P> + +<P> +'Well, Miss Marjorie, it's just this; one of the money orders that was +stolen was sent back from Edinburgh Post Office; and it was Neil who +had sent it away in a letter. It's from that they make out that it was +Neil who stole it.' +</P> + +<P> +'Neil couldn't have done such a thing,' broke in Reggie, with signs of +a storm in his voice. +</P> + +<P> +'Does Mother know? and Father?' asked Tricksy breathlessly. +</P> + +<P> +'Indeed, Miss Tricksy, the laird's away at the trial, and Mrs. Stewart +too, to be with Mrs. Macdonnell, poor soul; and Dr. and Mrs. MacGregor +went away this afternoon. The whole island's away, except just those +whose work obliges them to stay; and it's a sore disgrace to a +respectable family, whateffer.' +</P> + +<P> +'That's all right then, if father's there,' said Reggie confidently. +'He knows Neil far too well to believe such a thing of him, no matter +what may have happened.' +</P> + +<P> +'The laird can't help him much if the case goes against him, Master +Reggie. It's an awful thing that the money order should have come out +of the poor lad's letter; and it looks very bad.' +</P> + +<P> +'But Neil couldn't have taken it,' protested Reggie; 'no matter where +the order came from, it wasn't Neil who stole it.' +</P> + +<P> +'Well, anyhow,' said Tricksy, 'I'll never speak to the Sheriff again, +no matter what he does, if he lets Neil be put in prison.' +</P> + +<P> +'The Sheriff only has to do his duty, Miss Tricksy; and if things go +against poor Neil he can't help him.' +</P> + +<P> +'Well, we'll stand up for him, no matter who doesn't,' declared Allan; +'and we'll write and tell him so.' +</P> + +<P> +'Of course we shall,' joined in the others. +</P> + +<P> +'It's very kind of you, I'm sure,' said Elspeth, wiping her eyes; 'we +must just hope for the best. And now, young ladies and gentlemen, you +must have your tea and not think too much about it; and Miss Marjorie, +I'm thinking I must just make you a few scones!' +</P> + +<P> +Little appetite was left to the young folks for the meal; and the +half-hearted clatter of knives and plates soon died away. +</P> + +<P> +'We'll stand up for old Neil, no matter what happens,' was the upshot +of their deliberations; and Elspeth, coming in and out, dried her tears +furtively with the corner of her apron. +</P> + +<P> +Later in the evening a dog-cart drove up; and Dr. and Mrs. MacGregor +alighted. +</P> + +<P> +Marjorie ran down into the hall, while the others all clustered about +the banisters and looked down. +</P> + +<P> +'Mother,' said Marjorie, with a set face, 'we know about Neil; tell us +how things have gone for him to-day.' +</P> + +<P> +'The case is against him, so far,' replied Mrs. MacGregor. +</P> + +<P> +A groan burst from upstairs, and Marjorie set her lips tightly. +</P> + +<P> +'What will be done to him?' inquired Tricksy piteously. +</P> + +<P> +'Nothing yet, dear; the case is not finished. He has to go to +Edinburgh to be tried; and we hope that something else may be found out +before that time.' +</P> + +<P> +'Shall we see him before he goes?' +</P> + +<P> +'No, he will not come back before then.' +</P> + +<P> +'Where is he?' demanded Allan. +</P> + +<P> +'At present he is in the—in the County Jail,' faltered Mrs. MacGregor. +</P> + +<P> +'Poor Neil,' burst from the children. +</P> + +<P> +'He will be kindly treated,' interposed the doctor; 'and it is only +until the case comes up in Edinburgh.' +</P> + +<P> +The tears rolled over Tricksy's cheeks; and Marjorie turned away and +looked out of the window. +</P> + +<P> +'And now,' said the doctor cheerily, 'you must not take the matter +tragically yet. We must hope for the best. Neil must stand his trial +like a man, and it isn't often that a miscarriage of justice takes +place. He will have the very best advice, your father and I will see +to that; and you may depend upon it that some fresh evidence will turn +up before then, which will show matters in an altogether different +light. In the meanwhile you must not go about looking doleful, as +though you had made up your minds already that Neil would not be able +to show a good case for himself.' +</P> + +<P> +It was hard to be cheerful; and the young folk clustered about in +melancholy groups until the dog-cart arrived, when the Stewarts +unwillingly took their leave, with many promises on both sides to +communicate whatever might come to light in the meanwhile. +</P> + +<P> +'Now, Duncan,' said Allan, after the dog-cart had started; 'tell us +what has happened?' +</P> + +<P> +'Indeed, Master Allan; it iss ahl ferry unlucky indeed; and it iss +ferry sorry I will be for puir Neil and for Mrs. Macdonnell. You will +be knowing the night before the robbery wass committed Neil will have +been spending the evening with the MacAlisters. He wass expecting a +letter; and it will be a stormy evening and the mail steamer will not +be coming in till ferry late so that the letters wass not sent away +that night, but Neil wass allowed to look among them for his own. +There wass a registered letter for the laird; and it come out in the +evidence that Neil would see it, and that no one else but only Mr. and +Mrs. MacAlister and Neil himself could have peen knowing that it wass +there.' +</P> + +<P> +'But what could make them think that Neil would break into the +post-office and steal a letter? Neil, of all people!' +</P> + +<P> +'Well then, the ferry next day Neil will pe sending away a letter, and +in that letter wass one of the ferry orders that had been in the +laird's letter.' +</P> + +<P> +'But how do they know that it was the same order; and how can they be +certain that it was Neil who sent it away. There must have been a +great many orders presented in the Edinburgh Post Office that day.' +</P> + +<P> +'They know that it wass the laird's order, Master Allan, because the +gentleman who had sent away the orders had kept the number of them all; +and they know that Neil had sent it away because the man he sent it to +took it out of the envelope in ta post-office, and there wass a letter +with it signed clearly in his own handwriting; "Neil Macdonnell."' +</P> + +<P> +Allan sat up and pushed his cap to the back of his head. +</P> + +<P> +'It's very strange,' he said; 'there must be some mistake!' +</P> + +<P> +'How did poor old Neil take it, when he was arrested and all that?' +asked Reggie. +</P> + +<P> +'Neil wass ferry much astonished, Master Reggie, and could not pelieve +it at ahl. He said the order he had sent away wass not the laird's but +another one ahltogether. Afterwards he wass ferry angry; and in court +he stood up as prave as a lion and said he had neffer seen the order +and that he had neffer sent it away whateffer, and that it wass all +lies. They will be showing him his name written on the order; and he +had to own that it wass his handwriting, but he will not be knowing how +it had come on the order. Then when some of the people didn't seem to +pelieve him, he wass ferry angry again, wass Neil; and when the Sheriff +said he wass to go and pe tried at Edinburgh he went out of the court +in a terrible rage and a fury; and he said to us ahl that he would not +go to Edinburgh, because if ta people here who wass his friends didn't +peliefe him, they would not pe peliefing him neither in Edinburgh where +they wass ahl strangers to him, and that he would be finding some way +of escaping pefore he wass sent there and not be pringing disgrace upon +an honest family. He will be saying a lot of foolish things, will +Neil, puir lad.' +</P> + +<P> +Mr. and Mrs. Stewart were in the hall when their children arrived. +Tricksy flew into her mother's arms and burst into tears; Allan turned +a grave, concerned face towards his parents; and Reggie looked +inquiringly at his father without speaking. +</P> + +<P> +'I see that you have been told about Neil,' said the laird in his kind +voice. 'We had been hoping that the matter might have been cleared up +without delay, and that it would be unnecessary that you should be +informed of it. However, you need not despair; Neil is not the lad to +have committed a dishonest action, and I am convinced that we shall +find some evidence that will clear him.' +</P> + +<P> +'And now,' said Mrs. Stewart, 'you must all go to bed, Allan as well as +the others. It is late, and Tricksy is quite exhausted. Sleep well; +you don't know what news may come in the morning! Something may be +found out by that time.' +</P> + +<P> +'I am sure,' said Tricksy still tearfully to Reggie as he said +good-night to her in her little bed; 'I don't know what I should do if +I hadn't a mother! It's great fun running about with you and the +others, and staying out-of-doors for whole days at a time; but when we +get hurt or sorry, it's Mummie that we want!' +</P> + +<P> +Little sleep came to the boys that night. Each turned and tossed +uneasily upon his bed, trying not to disturb the other; falling into +broken dreams of being with Neil on the rocks in their own island, and +awakening to a sense of the reality. +</P> + +<P> +Early in the morning it became useless to keep up the pretence any +longer. They rose and dressed and went out-of-doors. +</P> + +<P> +By the garden gate two shaggy ponies were standing; and the boys were +not at all surprised to see Marjorie and Hamish, who turned anxious +faces towards them. +</P> + +<P> +'Well,' said Marjorie, 'anything new?' +</P> + +<P> +'Nothing since we saw you.' +</P> + +<P> +'There hasn't been time, of course,' said Marjorie. 'We couldn't rest, +so we came along to see you.' +</P> + +<P> +'Let's go down to the shore,' said Allan. 'Can't talk here.' +</P> + +<P> +A window was thrown open on the upper story of the house, and a little +voice cried, 'Wait a minute, people! don't go away! I'm coming too.' +</P> + +<P> +'Tricksy awake already!' said Marjorie; 'that child will make herself +ill.' +</P> + +<P> +In a few minutes a little figure emerged from the front door, and +Tricksy ran towards them. +</P> + +<P> +'What are you going to do?' she said. 'Is there any news?' +</P> + +<P> +'Nothing at all, Tricksy,' said Marjorie; 'we were only going down to +the shore to talk.' +</P> + +<P> +The little girl slipped her hand confidingly into Allan's and walked +beside him, trying to accommodate her steps to his long stride. +</P> + +<P> +'Hullo, there's Euan Macdonnell,' said Allan. 'He was at the trial +yesterday; let's ask him about it.' +</P> + +<P> +The fine frank-faced young coastguard touched his cap to the girls and +waited to be spoken to. +</P> + +<P> +'Euan,' said Allan abruptly; speaking in Gaelic, which was always most +convenient for the islanders if a conversation was likely to be long; +'we know about Neil. You were there; tell us about the trial.' +</P> + +<P> +'Well, Mr. Allan, it was a very bad business, and we none of us +expected it to go as it did. Poor Neil was most frightfully cut up +about it, and no wonder, poor fellow. What he felt most was that some +of the people were against him when he thought they would be quite sure +to believe in his honesty, no matter what might have happened.' +</P> + +<P> +'So they ought,' declared Allan. 'Any one who knows Neil in the least +would know that whether he sent away that order or not, he would never +have stolen it, and that there must have been a mistake.' +</P> + +<P> +'Of course there must have been,' said Euan, 'and I'm glad to hear you +say so, Mr. Allan.' +</P> + +<P> +'Suppose things were to go wrongly,' said Marjorie; 'I mean, supposing +that nothing is found out that will help to clear Neil when he comes +before the Edinburgh court, what will he have to expect?' +</P> + +<P> +Tricksy's eyes were growing wider, and the pink in Marjorie's cheeks +became deeper. +</P> + +<P> +'I am afraid the penalty for the poor lad would be two or three years +in prison, Miss Marjorie. It's a serious crime, you know; +house-breaking, and robbing his Majesty's mails. We can only hope it +won't come to that.' +</P> + +<P> +The hearers all drew a long breath, like a gasp. +</P> + +<P> +'Let's go down and sit on the rocks,' said Marjorie abruptly. 'Now, +Euan, tell us how you think it happened.' +</P> + +<P> +'Well,' said Euan, 'the only explanation is, that that order came into +Neil's possession without his knowing it.' +</P> + +<P> +Allan nodded. +</P> + +<P> +'You see, Miss Marjorie,' continued Euan, 'Neil made no secret of +having sent off a post-office order that day. He had got one on the +evening before, when he was at the MacAlisters', and he put it in the +pocket of his reefer jacket. You know that new churn he got for his +mother? Well, he was paying for that by instalments and this was one +of the payments. The day after the robbery, he went into the +post-office, got the order, put it into an envelope containing a note +to say that he hoped to send the last instalment next week, and sent it +away. But the order that came out of the letter was not the one that +he bought at Mrs. MacAlister's that night; and the curious thing is, +that he found the order that he believed he had sent away, still in his +coat pocket when he went to look. At least that's the story he tells, +poor lad.' +</P> + +<P> +'Then,' said Allan, 'how do you account for the wrong order being in +the letter?' +</P> + +<P> +Euan pondered a minute, and then said, 'Mr. Allan, there's only one +explanation of it, so far as I can see. Some person must have been +trying to screen himself by throwing suspicion on to Neil. You say +that there was more than one order in the laird's letter?' +</P> + +<P> +'Yes,' replied Allan, 'and they don't seem to have heard anything about +the others yet.' +</P> + +<P> +'They will turn up some day, no doubt, and then the whole matter may be +cleared up; but in the meanwhile there's nothing to go by to help the +poor lad. Perhaps they may be traced before the case comes up in +Edinburgh. +</P> + +<P> +'Oh, I hope so,' cried the girls, 'and then they'll get their finger on +the real culprit?' +</P> + +<P> +'The person who did it must have put the order into Neil's pocket,' +said Allan. 'How could they have managed it and what would make them +think of Neil?' +</P> + +<P> +'Well, Mr. Allan; you know how these country post-offices are kept. +The letter-box is in the MacAlisters' kitchen, which is at the same +time their shop, and where every one goes in and out. The box is never +locked; and after the letters are sorted they often lie on the table +for hours, waiting until the postman comes to take them away. Any one +who was not honest could easily slip into the kitchen when Mrs. +MacAlister's back was turned and do what they liked with the letters; +but such a thing has never happened before. Now, whoever committed the +robbery has seen that Neil was in the post-office that evening, turning +over the letters; and he saw that Neil got a money order to send away. +All this made him think that Neil was the one to fasten the guilt on +to, so after breaking into the post-office that night he slipped into +the house, unknown to Neil or his mother, and put the order where Neil +was likely to take it for his own.' +</P> + +<P> +Allan nodded approvingly when the coastguard paused in what was an +unusually long effort for him. +</P> + +<P> +There's something in that,' he said. 'But who would have done such a +thing?' +</P> + +<P> +'There is one man on the island who might have done it, and that man +has had every opportunity.' +</P> + +<P> +'Who is that?' +</P> + +<P> +'Do you know a lad called Andrew MacPeters? He works for the +MacAlisters sometimes.' +</P> + +<P> +'I know him,' said Reggie, who had been listening but saying little. +'A red-headed man with foxy eyes.' +</P> + +<P> +'The same,' said Euan. 'He is always in and out of the house; and most +likely he was there that night and saw everything that went on. He has +always hated Neil since he was a lad, and got a beating from Neil, who +was much smaller than himself. He would only be too pleased to do him +an ill turn. It shows a nasty, mean disposition that he should have +taken the trouble to break open the box and throw the letters all about +the shop when he only had to open it and take out what he wanted. Keep +a look-out on that man, young ladies and gentlemen, if you want to find +out what is at the bottom of the whole affair.' +</P> + +<P> +'We will,' they all said. +</P> + +<P> +'And if you could find out anything before the case comes up,' said +Euan, 'you might be the means of saving the lad and his mother too; for +she will be heart-broken if her son is not cleared, and that quickly.' +</P> + +<P> +'We'll do all we can,' said Marjorie. +</P> + +<P> +'Yes,' said Allan slowly and deliberately; 'I vote we all make up our +minds not to rest until we find out who did it and get Neil cleared.' +</P> + +<P> +'We will, we will,' cried all the others in a chorus. +</P> + +<P> +'How are we going to manage it?' asked Tricksy, with eyes and mouth +open. +</P> + +<P> +The others did not reply. +</P> + +<P> +'We will make a compact,' cried Marjorie, rising with sparkling eyes, +'and we'll all sign an agreement; something like this: "We hereby +promise never to rest until we find out who committed the robbery and +show that Neil didn't do it."' +</P> + +<P> +'Yes,' said Tricksy; 'let's write it at once.' +</P> + +<P> +'No pens or paper here,' said Marjorie; 'we'll write it down when we +get into the house. Euan, you must join the compact too; we'll send +you a copy for yourself. Each of us shall have his or her own copy to +carry about wherever we go; and each copy shall be signed by every +member of the compact. We'll form ourselves into a Society to prove +that Neil is innocent.' +</P> + +<P> +'So we shall,' said Allan; 'good idea that of yours, Marjorie.' +</P> + +<P> +'That's all right,' said the youngest member of the Society; 'now, when +are we going to begin?' +</P> + +<P> +'You must give us time, Tricksy,' said Allan; 'it won't be so very +easy;' but all the faces wore a more cheerful expression. +</P> + +<P> +'There's a telegraph boy,' said Marjorie suddenly, 'do you see +him?—just going in at the gates of Ardnavoir. Perhaps it's some news +of Neil.' +</P> + +<P> +'Run, Reggie,' said Allan, 'you are the best runner; and see whether +it's anything of that kind.' +</P> + +<P> +Reggie started off, and after an interval he came speeding back again. +</P> + +<P> +It's something to do with Neil,' he said; 'come quickly.' +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap05"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER V +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +SUSPENSE +</H4> + +<P> +All crowded into the hall, where Mr. Stewart was standing with an open +telegram in his hand. +</P> + +<P> +The laird was looking very grave. +</P> + +<P> +'Most unfortunate,' he said. 'Neil has done a very foolish thing. He +has broken out of the County Gaol and disappeared. I regret extremely +that it should have happened. It will prejudice many people against +him.' +</P> + +<P> +Mrs. Stewart was looking extremely concerned; and the young people +crowded together in speechless dismay. +</P> + +<P> +'Puir Neil,' said Duncan in the background, 'he said he would not go to +Edinburgh to pring disgrace on his family whateffer.' +</P> + +<P> +'He would have done far better to have gone up for his trial,' said Mr. +Stewart.—'Good morning, Dr. MacGregor'—for the doctor had come in to +hear the news, having been summoned from a visit in the +neighbourhood—'unfortunate affair this; it's a pity Neil couldn't have +been more patient.' +</P> + +<P> +The doctor read the telegram and looked extremely disappointed. +</P> + +<P> +'Foolish fellow!' he exclaimed. 'If the lad was innocent he should +have stayed to see the thing out; he has only made things a dozen times +worse for himself by doing this.' +</P> + +<P> +'But, Father,' said Marjorie, 'Neil couldn't have taken the letters; +they are sure to find out that he is innocent.' +</P> + +<P> +The doctor was looking angry. +</P> + +<P> +'He has made it far more difficult for his friends to see him through,' +he declared. 'Foolish, foolish lad; I have no patience with him;' and +the doctor strode out of the hall and away to his gig with a +disappointed expression of countenance. +</P> + +<P> +Mrs. Stewart looked kindly at the dismayed faces of the young people. +</P> + +<P> +'I am sure,' she said, 'that Neil did not realise what he was doing,' +and here she looked at her husband; 'he was hurt and disappointed at +finding that some of the people were able to believe that he could have +done such a thing, and that made him think that he might not get +justice. It is a great pity, but those who have known Neil all his +life would never believe him capable of dishonesty.' +</P> + +<P> +'Of course not,' said the laird kindly, 'and I only regret that Neil +did not wait to see the thing out, as I am convinced that some evidence +would have turned up which would have +<SPAN CLASS="pagenum">{<A NAME="P74"></A>74}</SPAN> +enabled us to prove his +innocence. As it is, he remains under a cloud, and it will be a great +grief to his mother.' +</P> + +<P> +The young people went out, feeling very much discouraged, and wandered +down to the seashore, Laddie following with drooping ears and tail. +Mechanically they seated themselves upon the beach to discuss the +position of affairs, but no one seemed to have anything to suggest. +</P> + +<P> +'Well,' said Marjorie at last, digging holes in the sand with a +sharp-pointed shell; 'what are we to do now?' +</P> + +<P> +Allan pushed his cap on to the back of his head, and Reggie looked +thoughtful; but they did not reply. +</P> + +<P> +It was a beautiful morning, and the distant hills showed the first +flush of heather where the light fell upon them. Right in front the +waves were glancing like silver, and beyond the ripples the island of +the Den stood out invitingly clear. +</P> + +<P> +Tricksy, who had been gazing wistfully across the water, suddenly +melted into tears. +</P> + +<P> +'All our fun spoilt,' she said, with the big drops rolling down her +face; 'what a horrid, horrid summer we are going to have, and poor +Neil—— +</P> + +<P> +'Buck up, Tricksy,' said Allan; 'the bottom hasn't tumbled out of the +Universe yet.' +</P> + +<P> +Laddie, who had been looking with a concerned expression at his young +friends, rose up and thrust his nose under Tricksy's hand, wagging his +tail in an encouraging manner. +</P> + +<P> +'Good old dog, good Laddie,' said Allan, patting the dog's rough coat; +'he is telling us that we must not give in.' +</P> + +<P> +Laddie pricked up his ears, and went from one to another of the group, +endeavouring to rouse them from their despondency. +</P> + +<P> +'Poor Laddie, good Laddie,' said Marjorie, caressing him and feeling a +lump in her throat. +</P> + +<P> +'Laddie, dear, don't lick me in the face—you're knocking me over, +Laddie!' cried Tricksy, as her big pet became more demonstrative. +</P> + +<P> +When Laddie had been induced to sit down, which he did with the +expression of a dog convinced that his endeavours had been crowned with +success, Allan resumed: 'Well, we must remember that we've made a +compact, and we've got to stick to it and help Neil somehow, although +it looks pretty difficult at present.' +</P> + +<P> +A murmur of approval went round the group. +</P> + +<P> +'Yes,' said Tricksy, sitting with knitted brows; 'but we don't seem to +be doing anything.' +</P> + +<P> +The others were silent. +</P> + +<P> +'What would you have us do, Tricksy?' inquired Allan. +</P> + +<P> +'Do? I'd do something.' +</P> + +<P> +'Well?' +</P> + +<P> +Tricksy's face puckered again. +</P> + +<P> +'I'd catch some of the people.' +</P> + +<P> +'Well, Tricksy, and how?' +</P> + +<P> +'I'd dig holes for them to fall into.' +</P> + +<P> +Reggie uttered a contemptuous 'humph.' +</P> + +<P> +'You'd dig holes for them, would you, Tricksy, said Allan; 'how could +you tell whether you had caught the right one?' +</P> + +<P> +'I'd catch them all until I came to the right one. I'd make them tell +me what they'd been doing, and then let the wrong one go.' +</P> + +<P> +No one had any reply to make. +</P> + +<P> +Tricksy looked extremely mortified. +</P> + +<P> +'Well, anyhow,' said Allan, springing to his feet, 'we aren't doing +Neil any good by sitting here; let's go to Rob MacLean's cottage and +see whether he can help us.' +</P> + +<P> +Rob MacLean was Neil's second cousin, and the proposition met with +approval. +</P> + +<P> +The short, black-haired Highlander was working in his garden, and came +forward to greet his visitors with true Gaelic courtesy. +</P> + +<P> +'How do you do, young ladies and gentlemen?' he said; 'it iss ferry +proud to see you that I am. Come in, and it is ferry pleased that +Mistress MacLean will pe.' +</P> + +<P> +In the dark, smoky hut the party were accommodated with seats, and Mrs. +MacLean went to fetch milk and oat-cakes according to Highland ideas of +hospitality. +</P> + +<P> +'You will pe out early,' said Rob MacLean. 'Ferry fine day this, and +exercise iss good for the health.' +</P> + +<P> +'Yes, Mr. MacLean,' said Allan abruptly; 'we came to speak to you about +Neil.' +</P> + +<P> +Instantly the Highlander's countenance underwent a change. +</P> + +<P> +'You hev?' he said. 'Poor Neil, it iss a ferry bad business whateffer; +a ferry bad business for the puir lad.' +</P> + +<P> +'Yes,' replied Allan, 'of course we don't believe that Neil had +anything to do with robbing the post-office.' +</P> + +<P> +'That iss right, Master Allan; that is right,' said the Highlander. +'No, puir lad; no one who will pe knowing him will hev been pelieving +that of him; and it wass ferry hard that efferything went against him +at the trial, whateffer.' +</P> + +<P> +'Well, Mr. MacLean, we came to see whether you could help us,' said +Allan; 'we have made a compact, and promised not to rest until we have +found out that Neil didn't really do it, and have him brought home +again.' +</P> + +<P> +'Proud to hear you say so, Mr. Allan;' broke out the Highlander; 'and +hev you ahl made a compact, the young ladies too?' +</P> + +<P> +'Yes,' replied Tricksy, dimpling; 'we are all in it; Marjorie and I, +and even Laddie.—Down, Laddie; don't jump up on me,' as the collie, +who had been sitting with an amiable expression in the centre of the +group, sprang up and put one paw on her knee. +</P> + +<P> +'Ferry proud indeed that you should hev done so,' repeated Mr. +MacLean.—'My tear,' he added, turning to his wife, who had re-entered +the cottage with a pitcher of milk; 'these young ladies and gentlemen +will hev been making a compact that they will help Neil, and prove that +he hass not committed the robbery.' +</P> + +<P> +The woman, who knew very little English, replied in Gaelic, and the +young folk took up that language, somewhat to the relief of MacLean, +who prided himself on his knowledge of the Saxon tongue but found it +easier to sustain a conversation in his own. +</P> + +<P> +'That would be a great comfort to Neil, did he only know of it, and to +his mother too,' he said. 'Poor lad, I wish we could send him a +message.' +</P> + +<P> +'Does any one know where he has gone?' inquired Reggie. +</P> + +<P> +'Some one must know, Master Reggie, since he could hardly have got +clear away without help; but we do not know how he managed his escape. +Some say that he went away with the gipsies that left Inchkerra the day +of the trial, for they put in at Stornwell harbour that same night; and +others think that it was smugglers who helped him. He will no doubt +try to escape to America; but the poor lad stands a thousand chances of +being caught before he gets there.' +</P> + +<P> +'Oh, I hope not,' cried the girls. +</P> + +<P> +'I don't know, young ladies. If there was any chance of his being +cleared, it might be better for him to stand his trial. It is a very +strange thing indeed, how everything seemed to point to his being +guilty.' +</P> + +<P> +'Then do you think some one has been trying to make him appear so?' +</P> + +<P> +'I don't know, Master Reggie. It is very mysterious indeed who can +have done it. The police made an inspection of the gipsy camp, but +there seemed to be no evidence against them. Well, we are all very +pleased that you are so kindly disposed towards Neil, and we can only +hope that you or some one else may be able to find out who really did +it. If you must go, young ladies and gentlemen, will you not look in +at Mrs. Macdonnell's cottage and tell her that you have resolved to +help Neil? Poor soul, she is very sorrowful, and it might comfort her +to know what true friends her son has.' +</P> + +<P> +'Do you think she would care to be disturbed to-day?' said Marjorie, +somewhat doubtfully. +</P> + +<P> +'I think she would be very glad to see you, Miss Marjorie, when you +come on such an errand.' +</P> + +<P> +Mrs. MacLean said nothing; but she filled the young people's pockets +with oat-cakes, and stood watching them as they walked soberly along +the path. +</P> + +<P> +'It's too late to go to Mrs. Macdonnell before dinner-time,' said +Allan, who seemed to be glad of an excuse to postpone so trying an +interview. 'You'd better come with us, Hamish and Marjorie; it's +half-past twelve now; much too late for you to go home.' +</P> + +<P> +Places were found for the MacGregors at the hospitable table of +Ardnavoir; and after dinner, Tricksy drew her mother aside, while +Marjorie lingered to hear what Mrs. Stewart would say. +</P> + +<P> +'Mummie,' said Tricksy, 'Rob MacLean wants us to go and see Mrs. +Macdonnell and tell her that we don't believe that Neil stole the +letters. Do you think we can go?' +</P> + +<P> +'Perhaps you might, as Rob wishes you to do so,' replied her mother. +'Don't stay long, and don't talk much, for, poor woman, this has been a +terrible blow to her. Give her your message, and then say good-bye.' +</P> + +<P> +'Do you think we need to go too?' said Allan, as the young people were +discussing their intention. +</P> + +<P> +'Of course we must all be there,' declared Marjorie; 'it will encourage +her when she sees that we have all joined the compact.' +</P> + +<P> +'Whatever are you doing that for?' asked Allan, when he saw his little +sister gathering flowers in the garden. +</P> + +<P> +'They are for Mrs. Macdonnell,' said Tricksy, looking up with her soft, +dark eyes; 'I think she would be glad if we brought her some.' +</P> + +<P> +Allan said nothing, and Reggie's dark face looked approving. +</P> + +<P> +A walk of a mile or two brought the young folk to the heather-roofed +cottage where Mrs. Macdonnell lived. A dog rushed out and barked, but +wagged his tail when he saw who the visitors were. +</P> + +<P> +'Neil's dog,' said Allan; 'look how he speaks to Laddie. Poor Jock; +poor old fellow; come here.' +</P> + +<P> +'Where's your master, Jock; where's Neil?' said Reggie in a low voice, +as the dog came up to be petted. +</P> + +<P> +They knocked at the outer door, but there was no answer. After a +moment's hesitation, they pushed it open and knocked at the door of the +kitchen. +</P> + +<P> +'Come in,' said a faint voice; and they entered. +</P> + +<P> +A woman was sitting by the peat fire, with her neglected spinning-wheel +beside her. She was strikingly handsome, in spite of her mournful +expression and dejected attitude. Her black hair, as yet only slightly +touched with grey waved on either side of a broad low forehead, and she +had a straight nose like Neil's and a beautifully shaped face; but the +eyes which she raised at the children's entrance were full of sorrow. +</P> + +<P> +The boys hung about the doorway, and Marjorie felt a lump in her +throat; but Tricksy advanced courageously. +</P> + +<P> +'How do you do, Mrs. Macdonnell?' she said, with a little gurgle in her +voice, that expressed more than she had the power to say in words. +'Mother said we might come and see you; and we thought you might like +some flowers.' +</P> + +<P> +'Eh, Miss Tricksy, what a pretty posy! It wass ferry good of you to +come. Tek a seat, Miss Marjorie. Will you be finding places, young +gentlemen?' +</P> + +<P> +'I hope you are pretty well, Mrs. Macdonnell?' said Marjorie, in a +voice which she could not keep from trembling a little. +</P> + +<P> +'Pretty fair, thank you, Miss Marjorie,' replied Mrs. Macdonnell, while +Reggie and Hamish sat very stiffly upon their chairs, and Allan had +much ado to keep from fidgeting. +</P> + +<P> +'We thought you would like to know, Mrs. Macdonnell,' began Tricksy; +'Bob MacLean said we might tell you; we wanted to say—Allan does, and +we all do—that we <I>know</I> Neil couldn't have done such a thing, and we +have made a compact, all of us—Marjorie and Hamish and Euan Macdonnell +too—that we will never rest until we find out that he didn't do it, +and bring him home again. I thought you would be glad, Mrs. +Macdonnell; for Allan and Hamish are going to try very hard, and Euan +will do his best to help us.' +</P> + +<P> +Mrs. Macdonnell's eyes glistened. +</P> + +<P> +'It iss ferry good of you ahl, I am sure,' she said; then after a pause +she added, 'Indeed it is proud I am to know that my puir laddie——' +</P> + +<P> +Her voice became husky and then failed; and feeling that the interview +had lasted long enough, the girls kissed her and they all took leave, +wondering whether they had done harm or good by their visit. +</P> + +<P> +'One thing we might do,' said Allan, after they had trudged for awhile +in a somewhat uncomfortable silence, 'we might take a look at Andrew +MacPeters.' +</P> + +<P> +'Yes, let's get something done,' said Reggie; 'where do you think we +shall find him?' +</P> + +<P> +'I heard that he was cutting peats on the hillside,' said Allan; 'isn't +that a cart over there, and two men stacking peats?' +</P> + +<P> +'Yes, that is Andrew MacPeters,' said Reggie, when they had advanced a +little nearer; 'the red-headed man on this side.' +</P> + +<P> +'Fine day, young ladies and gentlemen,' said the farther-away man; but +Andrew only gave them a sidelong look out of his red-lidded eyes. +</P> + +<P> +'Fine day,' replied Allan civilly; then they all stood still and looked +at Andrew, who went on stolidly with his work. +</P> + +<P> +'Let's come to the post-office now,' said Allan, and they all trudged +away. +</P> + +<P> +'Eh, young ladies and gentlemen, pleased to see you,' said Mrs. +MacAlister in her lilting Gaelic; 'eh, but it's been a weary business +since you were here last! Poor Neil, poor laddie!' +</P> + +<P> +'Yes, Mrs. MacAlister,' said Marjorie; 'and of course we are all quite +sure that Neil had nothing to do with it.' +</P> + +<P> +'So are we all, Miss Marjorie; but the hard thing is to prove it. +Things looked very black against him when the order came out of the +poor lad's very letter, and he the only person who had been in the +house that night. Wait a bit, young ladies and gentlemen, and I'll +fetch my husband; he's been bad with the rheumatism but he's working in +the garden now,' and the good woman departed, leaving the field clear +for the young people. +</P> + +<P> +'Look,' said Allan, 'there are the letters lying on the table. They've +been taken out of the box, and they're waiting now until Mrs. +MacAlister is ready to stamp them. The door's open, and any one can +come in and out. It wouldn't be difficult to rob a post-office like +this!' +</P> + +<P> +Just then the door opened, and Andrew MacPeters came slouching in, +looking very awkward when he saw who were in the shop. The visitors +all watched him as he made his way clumsily across the room to fetch +something that he wanted; and when he came near the table Reggie said +suddenly, 'Been taking anything from here lately, Andrew?' +</P> + +<P> +The man looked at him with a surly gleam in his eyes but did not +answer. After a minute or two he went out, all eyes following him +curiously. +</P> + +<P> +'There,' said Reggie triumphantly, 'did you see what a bad conscience +he has?' and they all looked at each other in silent assent. +</P> + +<P> +Declining Mrs. MacAlister's invitation to stay to tea, they trooped out +of the post-office. +</P> + +<P> +'We'll watch that man,' said Reggie, and Tricksy began to walk on the +tips of her toes in anticipation. +</P> + +<P> +'Hulloa, young people, glad I've overtaken you,' said the doctor's +voice behind them. 'It's just going to pour with rain, and you're due +at my house to tea, I believe. It's lucky I have the closed carriage; +jump in as many of you as it will hold, and the rest of you can sit on +the box.' +</P> + +<P> +By the time the doctor's house was reached the rain had stopped, and +the sun was peeping out again. A scrap of white paper fluttering on +the ruins attracted Reggie's attention, and he ran across the garden, +climbed the wall, and captured it. +</P> + +<P> +After looking at it he gave a violent start, then ran towards the house. +</P> + +<P> +'It's a postal order,' he said, giving it to the doctor; 'what's the +meaning of this?' +</P> + +<P> +All clustered round, and the doctor took the piece of paper and +examined it. +</P> + +<P> +'Strange thing,' he exclaimed; 'this order bears the number of one of +those that went missing on the night of the robbery. How did it come +there? It's wet with the rain, but not very dirty; probably hasn't +been there long. This ought to shed some fresh light upon the case. +I'll have the police to make a thorough search of the ruins.' +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap06"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER VI +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +A DISCOVERY +</H4> + +<P> +'Reggie,' said Allan, 'there they are at last.' +</P> + +<P> +Reggie slid down from the garden wall, looked towards the road, and +said, 'Where?' +</P> + +<P> +'They're behind that hill now. They'll be here in no time. You'd +better call Tricksy, and tell her to be ready.' +</P> + +<P> +Reggie went into the house, and called, standing at the foot of the +staircase, 'Tricksy, it's Graham major and Graham minor with their +Pater; and they're almost here.' +</P> + +<P> +Tricksy came downstairs and waited in the hall, somewhat shyly, beside +her brothers. +</P> + +<P> +'Oh, I do hope they will be nice,' she whispered apprehensively to +Reggie, as the dog-cart drew up at the door. +</P> + +<P> +A tall pleasant-faced gentleman was beside the driver, and two boys +were on the back seat wrapped in Inverness capes, and with caps drawn +over their brows as a protection against the wind. +</P> + +<P> +As Mr. and Mrs. Stewart were receiving their guests in the hall, Reggie +and Tricksy had an opportunity of observing the boys. One was dark, +about twelve years of age; thin, alert, with bright, restless hazel +eyes; and the other was about as old as Reggie, with blue eyes and +reddish-golden hair; almost too pretty to be a boy, Reggie thought; +while Tricksy said to herself that he looked rather "nice."' +</P> + +<P> +After greeting the grown-up folk, the new-comers turned to encounter +Tricksy's solemn, dark eyes and Reggie's bright, twinkling ones. +Tricksy shook hands very shyly, and Reggie a little stiffly; then the +visitors were taken upstairs to prepare for lunch. +</P> + +<P> +Tricksy turned to Reggie, whose countenance wore a non-committal +expression; then she looked at Allan and heaved a little sigh. +</P> + +<P> +'What do you think of them, Tricksy?' inquired Allan. +</P> + +<P> +'Well, I think the little one looks rather nice, but the other is a +little proud.' +</P> + +<P> +'Do you think they'd care about our Pirates' Island, and all that?' +asked Reggie doubtfully. +</P> + +<P> +'Of course they would. They're no end of a good sort. Hush, they're +coming downstairs again.' +</P> + +<P> +'Are you tired after the steamer?' Allan asked his guest during lunch. +</P> + +<P> +'A bit, not very,' replied the elder lad, whose name was Harry. 'Feel +a bit as though the floor was rocking.' +</P> + +<P> +'You'll feel like that until you've had a night's rest, anyway,' said +Allan. 'Are you too tired to do anything this afternoon?' +</P> + +<P> +'Not at all,' answered his friend. 'Gerald, you're game to do +something after lunch, aren't you?' +</P> + +<P> +His brother, who had been trying to make a conversation with Reggie, +while Tricksy sat shyly on his other side, looked up with a smile. +</P> + +<P> +'The steamer went close under some fine rocks, not far from the +village,' he said; 'very high ones, with birds sitting in rows, all the +way up, and making an awful screaming.' +</P> + +<P> +'Yes,' said Allan, 'those are the Skegness Cliffs, a great +nesting-place of the birds. We'll take you there after lunch, if it's +not too far.' +</P> + +<P> +The boys looked pleased, and as soon as freed from the restraint of +their elders' presence they ran to fetch their caps and demanded to be +taken to the rocks. +</P> + +<P> +'We had better not go so soon, I think,' said Allan. 'We are expecting +Hamish and Marjorie, our friends from Corranmore, and we'll ask them to +go with us. There's a jolly burn that runs quite near the house; +suppose we go and fish in it until they come.' +</P> + +<P> +Fishing-tackle was found for the entire party, and they proceeded to +the banks of the burn, which trickled down the hill-side and across a +meadow, widening into little pools fringed with ragged-robin and queen +o' the meadow; and finally falling in a little cascade down to the +shore. +</P> + +<P> +'What a fine dog this is of yours,' observed Gerald, caressing Laddie, +who had been fawning upon the new-comers, and now ended by sitting down +between Gerald and Tricksy. +</P> + +<P> +Tricksy looked gratified. +</P> + +<P> +'He's my dog,' she said. 'He likes you, I think.' +</P> + +<P> +Gerald stroked Laddie's head and his white ruffle, and the dog made a +little sound to express gratification. +</P> + +<P> +'Tricksy, keep your dog quiet, he'll frighten away the trout,' sang out +Allan warningly; and Tricksy requested Laddie to 'trust.' +</P> + +<P> +The sun shone down upon green grass and brown pools, and drew out the +perfume of the flowers and heather. Not far distant was the pleasant +noise of the sea, and the calling of the gulls answered the plaintive +cry of the plovers which fluttered about the moor and the meadows. +</P> + +<P> +The day was too bright, and the trout which could be seen at the bottom +of the pools refused to take. After a little while the strong fresh +air and sun began to have a drowsy effect upon the anglers. +</P> + +<P> +Gerald rubbed his eyes once or twice, and stifled a yawn; and Tricksy +found that he was disinclined for conversation. +</P> + +<P> +'Hulloa!' cried a voice from the top of a ridge; and Marjorie and +Hamish came racing down. Laddie's welcoming bark roused Gerald, who +jumped into a sitting posture, and looked about him in a surprised way. +</P> + +<P> +'Hulloa, Marjorie,' said Allan; 'glad you've come. This is Harry +Graham, and this is Gerald.' +</P> + +<P> +Marjorie looked at the new-comers with approval, and Hamish shook hands +good-naturedly. +</P> + +<P> +'Are we going to fish all afternoon,' said Marjorie, 'or shall we take +a scramble?' +</P> + +<P> +'A scramble,' replied Reggie; 'they want to see the rocks.' +</P> + +<P> +'If Gerald isn't too tired,' put in Tricksy considerately; 'he was +asleep a minute ago.' +</P> + +<P> +'No,' protested Gerald, flushing and looking very much vexed; 'I +wasn't. I'm quite ready for a walk.' +</P> + +<P> +'Suppose we take them to the Smugglers' Caves,' suggested Marjorie. +'They're the finest sight in the island, I think.' +</P> + +<P> +At the mention of smugglers Harry's eyes began to sparkle, and Gerald's +blue ones opened very wide. +</P> + +<P> +'Are there—are there any smugglers there now?' asked Harry. +</P> + +<P> +'Sometimes there are,' replied Marjorie, 'but I don't expect we shall +meet any. Smuggling isn't what it used to be,' she added somewhat +regretfully. +</P> + +<P> +'What luck if we could only come across some,' said Harry. 'Let's go +and see the caves anyhow.' +</P> + +<P> +'It's a long walk, across moors and bogs, and steep hills,' said +Marjorie; 'but if you're game, come along.' +</P> + +<P> +Harry, walking beside Reggie, looked at the girl's slight, erect figure +as she went in front with Gerald. +</P> + +<P> +'Does she always do what you fellows do?' he inquired, rather +doubtfully. +</P> + +<P> +'Of course she does,' replied Reggie; 'she's fifteen years old, you +know; a year older than Allan.' +</P> + +<P> +Harry looked at her again, and considered. +</P> + +<P> +'Bit of a tomboy, isn't she?' he inquired again. +</P> + +<P> +'An awful tomboy. We've got her into the way of doing all kinds of +things. She couldn't be much jollier if she was a boy.' +</P> + +<P> +Harry took another look at her. +</P> + +<P> +'Has she a bit of a temper?' he asked unexpectedly. +</P> + +<P> +'A bit,' acknowledged Reggie, somewhat disconcerted, 'when she's +roused, you know. She's fond of her own way; and she and Allan used to +quarrel a good deal at one time; but they seem to have made it up now.' +</P> + +<P> +Reggie added to himself that there was no time to quarrel, now that +every one's thoughts were occupied with Neil. +</P> + +<P> +Harry looked at Marjorie again. +</P> + +<P> +'Does she ever quarrel with you?' he asked. +</P> + +<P> +'N—no, not much,' he replied, his face darkening slightly. +</P> + +<P> +Harry looked at Marjorie's tall young figure, and then at Reggie's +smaller and slighter one, and arrived at the conclusion which +particularly annoyed Reggie; that the girl disdained to quarrel with a +boy so much younger than herself. +</P> + +<P> +Marjorie turned her bright face towards them. +</P> + +<P> +'Find it tiring, walking on the heather?' she said. 'It's very +fatiguing when you're not accustomed to it. We might take a rest after +we've climbed this hill; there's a beautiful view from the top.' +</P> + +<P> +It was a steep climb, and when they reached the summit, all the young +folk were glad to fling themselves down on the short, fragrant heather. +</P> + +<P> +The breeze came laden with the scent of wild thyme and heather and salt +from the sea; and the only live creatures save themselves were the +mountain sheep and the crested plovers, and grey gulls which wheeled +above the heads of the wayfarers. +</P> + +<P> +Harry looked about him with brightening eyes. +</P> + +<P> +'What an awfully jolly place this is of yours,' he said. 'I say, you +<I>do</I> see a lot from the top of this hill.' +</P> + +<P> +He was right. The hill crest commanded a view of nearly the whole +island, with green fields and moors, and the white roads stretching +across them; houses and cottages in their little gardens; and the +village with the pier jutting out into the sea. One or two larger +islands were in the distance; brown rocks and skerries lying like dots +upon the blue water; and away to the east the Highland hills rose among +the clouds. +</P> + +<P> +'It must be awfully jolly, having an island all to yourselves,' +continued Harry. +</P> + +<P> +'Yes,' replied Marjorie, perched on a boulder, 'and it's jollier still +to have an island of your very own, where no one comes but ourselves, +and we can do exactly as we like.' +</P> + +<P> +'Where's that?' inquired Harry. +</P> + +<P> +'I may tell them, mayn't I?' asked Marjorie of the others. +</P> + +<P> +'Of course you may,' replied Allan; 'we must take them there some day +soon.' +</P> + +<P> +Marjorie slipped down from her perch. +</P> + +<P> +'Do you see the little island over there?' she said, pointing +southwards; 'a little black dot on the water, with some bright green in +the middle of it? Well, that's our <I>own</I> island which we have all to +ourselves, and we've made a place in it that we call our secret +hiding-place or Pirates' Den. We must show it to you some day.' +</P> + +<P> +The boys stood up and gazed out to sea, their eyes widening and +brightening. +</P> + +<P> +'I say, this is jolly,' they murmured, rather than said to any one in +particular. +</P> + +<P> +'Hamish,' said Allan, who had been looking at some object on the +southern side of the island; 'is that your father's gig, that has just +stopped before Mrs. Macdonnell's cottage?' +</P> + +<P> +Hamish looked in the direction indicated. +</P> + +<P> +'Yes, I believe it is,' he said. 'It must be true then, what we heard +Duncan say, that Mrs. Macdonnell is very ill.' +</P> + +<P> +Such a grieved silence fell upon the island young people that the +Grahams looked at them inquiringly. +</P> + +<P> +'They said that she would fall ill,' said Marjorie in a low voice, +'if—if she continued to fret so about——' +</P> + +<P> +Allan pushed his cap to the back of his head, and Reggie looked hard in +the direction of the cottage, where the black dot was still standing by +the gate. +</P> + +<P> +'Nothing else found in the ruins?' said Allan in an undertone. +</P> + +<P> +'Nothing yet,' replied Hamish; 'the police are still trying to follow +up the clue——' +</P> + +<P> +Marjorie's eyes encountered those of the guests, and she looked at +Allan and Reggie. +</P> + +<P> +'Are you going to let them know about it?' she asked. 'Might as well, +you know; for they are sure to hear of it before long.' +</P> + +<P> +Allan put his hands in his pockets and reflected; then he consulted +Reggie with a look, after which he turned to Hamish. 'Perhaps we might +as well tell them,' he said, and the others consented. +</P> + +<P> +'Well, Graham major and Graham minor,' he began, to the boys who were +waiting expectantly; 'we are very much bothered about a friend of +ours;' and he told them about the robbery of the post-office and Neil's +flight, while the boys listened with wide-open mouths, throwing +themselves about and uttering exclamations of interest. +</P> + +<P> +'You say that you are quite sure he couldn't have taken the letters?' +asked Harry, drawing himself into an upright position on the heather. +</P> + +<P> +'Perfectly certain,' replied Allan. 'He would no more have done it +than you or I. No one who knows him would believe such a thing of +Neil.' +</P> + +<P> +'Oh!' interposed Tricksy, in a shocked tone, 'I think Dr. MacGregor +believed it.' +</P> + +<P> +Hamish became very red and Marjorie's lips tightened. +</P> + +<P> +'And he's so awfully, awfully jolly,' pursued Harry. +</P> + +<P> +'One of the very jolliest people we know,' answered Marjorie. 'Father +doesn't really believe it of him. He did everything for us, and was up +to all kinds of inventions. We don't seem to have any fun at all +without him.' +</P> + +<P> +'It's a most extraordinary story,' said Harry, jerking himself into a +fresh attitude; and both the new boys sat and pondered. +</P> + +<P> +'What do you say to letting them both join the Compact?' suggested +Reggie. +</P> + +<P> +Marjorie's eyes said yes; and Hamish, whom Allan consulted with a look, +gave a nod. +</P> + +<P> +'What's that; a Compact?' inquired Harry eagerly. +</P> + +<P> +'It's an agreement that we've all made,' said Allan, 'that we'll back +Neil up, and show that he didn't commit the robbery.' +</P> + +<P> +'Hooray, what fun,' said Harry; 'I'm game.' +</P> + +<P> +'You might let Gerald join too,' cried Tricksy from where she sat +beside her new friend; 'he's quite the right sort, and he only wants to +learn a thing or two to be equal to any of us.' +</P> + +<P> +Gerald wriggled, and blushed to the roots of his golden hair. +</P> + +<P> +'Well, then, you must do all you can to help us,' said Allan, 'and see +whether you can find out who really did it.' +</P> + +<P> +'All right,' said Harry; 'I'll help you to catch the thief.' +</P> + +<P> +'And you must sign an agreement like the rest of us, and you can each +have a copy to carry about with you always, as we do. See, this is the +principal copy, that I have to take care of.' +</P> + +<P> +'You can write it out now, with Allan's new fountain pen,' cried +Tricksy; 'this flat stone will do for a desk, and I've got some pieces +of paper that I've been carrying in my pocket in case we might find any +new people to join our Compact;' and she produced with great gravity +some crumpled sheets of note-paper, much soiled at the edges. +</P> + +<P> +'All right,' said Allan, 'this is the agreement; "We hereby promise +never to rest until we show that Neil is innocent and have him brought +home again."' +</P> + +<P> +Reggie held the papers down to keep them from blowing away, while Allan +made out fresh copies of the agreement; then all the documents received +the signature of Harry, who wrote his name with much ceremony and +handed the pen to Gerald. +</P> + +<P> +'What an awful lark,' said Harry, who had clambered on to the boulder +and sat swinging his legs; 'it will be fine fun tracking the thief.' +</P> + +<P> +Allan began to whistle. +</P> + +<P> +'We haven't found much to track yet,' he said; 'neither have the +police, who have been at it nearly three weeks. The less you talk +about it the better, except among ourselves, for it isn't a game, this.' +</P> + +<P> +'Come along,' said Marjorie, springing up, as Harry looked somewhat +crestfallen, 'we've dawdled long enough; let's run down the side of the +hill, and then we shan't take long to get to the cliffs.' +</P> + +<P> +'All right,' said Harry briskly, 'let's go to the Smugglers' Caves; oh, +I say, what a jolly island this is!' +</P> + +<P> +All started to run down the steep descent, bounding from one tuft of +heather to the other, their speed increasing as they neared the bottom. +</P> + +<P> +Allan, Marjorie, and Reggie reached level ground at about the same +time; then they turned to look at Harry and Gerald, who arrived next, +looking somewhat shaken, and Hamish, who had stopped to help Tricksy. +</P> + +<P> +'Not far now to the caves,' said Marjorie encouragingly. 'Do you see +that headland, stretching far out into the sea? They are on the side +farthest away from us. Tired, Tricksy?' +</P> + +<P> +'Not at all,' protested the child, stepping alone and trying to hide a +little roll in her gait, although her small face was beginning to look +pale. +</P> + +<P> +Reggie glanced at her approvingly as Tricksy toiled along beside +Hamish, hoping that no one observed that she was hanging on to big hand. +</P> + +<P> +'Oh, what a height from the ground,' said Gerald in an awed tone of +voice, as the moor ended abruptly and they found themselves gazing down +from the crest of what seemed a sheer precipice, with long lines of +breakers falling upon the strip of sand at the foot. 'What a +disturbance the birds are making, and what strange noises there are.' +</P> + +<P> +'It's the waves echoing among the rocks,' said Marjorie. 'You must +come here some stormy day when the tide is up; the caves get flooded +and the noise is just like thunder.' +</P> + +<P> +'If you'll come a little further along,' said Allan, 'there's a break +in the cliffs where we can get down pretty easily. The tide is out, so +we have lots of time.' +</P> + +<P> +'Can we really climb down there,' said Harry, as they came to where a +chasm opened in the line of cliff, with rough steps and ledges of rock +standing out in the riven walls. Not a bird was to be seen in the +gloomy crevasse; although the skuas and black-backed gulls were flying +about and clamouring before the face of the cliff. +</P> + +<P> +'Come along,' said Allan on the first step. 'Are you a good climber, +Harry?' +</P> + +<P> +'Pretty fair,' replied Harry, with a rather wild look in his eyes. +Gerald said nothing, but swung himself down with a serious countenance. +</P> + +<P> +'If any one wants help, just sing out,' cried Allan, descending by the +rocky steps. 'Don't look down, and you'll be all right.' +</P> + +<P> +'Take my hand, Gerald,' said Tricksy graciously to Gerald, who +hesitated at a perilous-looking gap. +</P> + +<P> +Gerald flushed pink, and pretended not to have heard the offer of +assistance; and the two strangers braced themselves to their +unaccustomed feat. +</P> + +<P> +The way led round the chasm and downward, sometimes approaching the +face of the cliff, where the inquisitive eyes and red bills of the +puffins peered out of the crevices, and whole rows of auks and +kittiwakes were thrown into violent agitation by the sight of the +intruders; and sometimes leading back to the dark interior of the +chasm. The place was full of echoes; the hollow boom of the breakers, +the swirling of water round half-submerged rocks, the hoarse cries of +the gulls and the shrill scream of the smaller sea-birds joining in an +uproar which made the air tremble. Many a time, during the descent, it +cost the new-comers an effort to avoid being overcome by dizziness. +</P> + +<P> +At last Allan reached the last ledge, and swung himself to the ground; +Reggie and Marjorie followed; Tricksy came last, and the Grahams +dropped down with an air of relief. +</P> + +<P> +'Well done for you,' said Allan approvingly; 'it's your first climb of +the kind, and you haven't shown an atom of funk.' +</P> + +<P> +Gerald's cheeks became a little redder, and Harry bore himself with +greater self-consciousness. +</P> + +<P> +'Only Hamish now,' said Allan, looking up at the cliff; 'how cautiously +the old fellow is coming down; he has the steadiest head of the lot of +us although he is so slow.' +</P> + +<P> +'"Sleepy Hamish,"' remarked Harry to Gerald in an aside, repeating a +nickname which he had heard Allan use. Low as the words were spoken, +Marjorie heard them, and turned upon the boy like a flash. +</P> + +<P> +'Some people have more in them than they make a show of,' she said. +'Perhaps you don't understand that kind of thing, though.' +</P> + +<P> +Harry did not chance to have a reply ready, but he observed to Reggie +afterwards that it was a pity Marjorie seemed to be a quick-tempered +kind of a girl. +</P> + +<P> +'Here we are,' said Allan, pausing beneath a great overhanging archway, +and speaking loudly so as to be heard above the din; for the waves and +the clamouring of the birds made a noise which was almost deafening. +</P> + +<P> +'Can we go in?' asked Gerald. +</P> + +<P> +'Of course we can. There's no danger except in a westerly gale. It's +dark after you get in a little way.' +</P> + +<P> +The young people scrambled and slipped over the sea-weed at the mouth +of the cave, and presently found themselves standing on a floor of +light-coloured sand, strewn with shells and sea-drift. The sides of +the cave were black and shiny with wet, and water dripped slowly from +the roof. +</P> + +<P> +'Is this where the smugglers used to come?' asked Gerald in an awed +tone. +</P> + +<P> +'Yes,' replied Allan; 'the schooners used to sail under the rocks on +moonlight nights when the tide was high, and the cargo was stored in +the caves until the people came secretly to take it away. It was very +dangerous work sometimes, for if a storm comes from the west the caves +are often flooded.' +</P> + +<P> +The light which glimmered under the archway did not penetrate far, and +the young people were soon in total darkness. The air was damp and +chilly. Strange draughts crossed each other from unexpected quarters, +and the water dripping from overhead, awoke weird echoes which seemed +to be repeated among far-reaching clefts and passages. +</P> + +<P> +'Strike a light, Hamish,' said Allan, 'and let them see what kind of a +place they're in.' +</P> + +<P> +The match spluttered and blazed, revealing dark rocks gleaming with wet +and the black openings to what appeared to be a series of underground +passages branching off from the main one. +</P> + +<P> +'The caves are all connected with one another,' explained Allan, 'and +have separate openings to the sea. Light up again, Hamish; strike two +this time, and they'll get a better idea.' +</P> + +<P> +Again there was a splutter, and the flare revealed strange shifting +shadows among the rocks, and a circle of faces that looked unnaturally +white in the surrounding darkness. +</P> + +<P> +Reggie's eyes were the sharpest. +</P> + +<P> +'Hullo!' he exclaimed, 'there's something in that passage. What can it +be?' +</P> + +<P> +All crowded to examine the mysterious object, and the light flickered +upon a pile of kegs and bales lying half-concealed behind a corner of +rock. +</P> + +<P> +'Smugglers!' declared Marjorie. +</P> + +<P> +'Looks like it,' said Allan, as Hamish struck fresh matches and the +others crowded round, giving utterance to ohs! and ahs! of excitement. +</P> + +<P> +'They're at their old trade again,' said Allan, examining the barrels; +'I wonder what Pater will say to this?' +</P> + +<P> +'That's the last match, Allan,' said Hamish, as the light flickered out. +</P> + +<P> +The darkness seemed to come down like a weight, and the young people +found themselves groping for each other's hands. +</P> + +<P> +'We had better make the best of our way out of this,' said Allan. 'Try +to move quietly, for we don't know who might be about. Help Tricksy, +Hamish; I think she's by you, and here, Tricksy, give me your other +hand.' +</P> + +<P> +They groped their way towards the entrance, and soon were in the strong +sunshine at the mouth of the caves. +</P> + +<P> +'Well,' said Allan, 'that was an adventure;' and they looked at one +another with varying expressions. +</P> + +<P> +'Do you think they may have had anything to do with the robbery?' said +Marjorie. +</P> + +<P> +'Shouldn't wonder,' replied Allan. 'Anyhow, we'll see what Pater says.' +</P> + +<P> +'In the meanwhile,' said Marjorie, 'we had better be quick; the +breakers are close under the rocks, and we're almost cut off already.' +</P> + +<P> +A stream of foaming, angry-looking water was running up into a hollow +on the shore, and the young folk could only escape by jumping on to a +stone in the middle of the flood, and from thence to the other side. +</P> + +<P> +'Jump, Tricksy,' cried Reggie half impatiently, as his little sister +hesitated. +</P> + +<P> +Tricksy, who was pale and overwrought, sprang, but fell short and +plunged overhead in the water. +</P> + +<P> +Instantly two or three were in the flood, trying to prevent her being +swept out to sea. +</P> + +<P> +Allan secured her; and gasping, struggling, with water running over her +face, Tricksy was pulled on to dry land. +</P> + +<P> +'It isn't so very bad, is it, Tricksy?' inquired Reggie, in a tone of +somewhat forced cheerfulness; 'what a thing to do, to jump in when +you're told to jump over!' +</P> + +<P> +Tricksy tried to smile; a miserable attempt, for her teeth chattered +and her lips were blue with the cold. +</P> + +<P> +'Run to Rob MacLean's cottage, Reggie,' said Hamish, throwing off his +coat and wrapping it round Tricksy; 'ask him to lend us his pony, and +we'll take Tricksy to Corranmore; it's nearer than your house.' +</P> + +<P> +With Hamish running by her side and holding her on to the pony, Tricksy +was not long in reaching Corranmore, and when the others arrived she +was already in bed, with Mrs. MacGregor beside her; the little girl +drinking hot milk and trying to restrain the tears that <I>would</I> roll +down her cheeks, even when she forced herself to laugh. +</P> + +<P> +'Feeling better, Tricksy?' asked Reggie apprehensively. +</P> + +<P> +'She has had a nasty fall,' said Mrs. MacGregor somewhat reproachfully, +'and we may be thankful it is not any worse. She can't possibly go +home to-night; you had better tell your parents that she is safe with +us.' +</P> + +<P> +A look of relief overspread Tricksy's tired features. +</P> + +<P> +'Oh, you <I>are</I> a dear,' she exclaimed, springing up and throwing her +arms round Mrs. MacGregor's neck, forgetting that the lady had once +said that Tricksy Stewart was a spoilt little girl. 'Hooray, I'll +sleep with Marjorie and we can talk about what we have seen to-day!' +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap07"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER VII +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +THE SIEGE +</H4> + +<P> +'No, Mr. Allan,' Duncan was declaring, 'if I wass you, I would not pe +telling the laird whateffer; it can do no good pringing honest folk +into trouble.' +</P> + +<P> +'But they are not honest folk if they're smugglers,' interposed Reggie, +who had been listening to the conversation without joining in. +</P> + +<P> +A peculiar expression flitted across Duncan's face. +</P> + +<P> +'Well, but, Mr. Allan,' he maintained; 'I'm just telling you, that it +will pe petter if you will not pe telling the laird; you will only pe +meking trouble in the island and will pe doing no good at ahl, at ahl.' +</P> + +<P> +'But what if it was they who robbed the post-office?' said Allan. +</P> + +<P> +'Robbed the post-office, Mr. Allan!' cried Duncan; 'what will they pe +doing that for? Not them, Mr. Allan! So do not pe meking trouble by +telling the laird——' +</P> + +<P> +'But we <I>have</I> told him,' said Reggie. +</P> + +<P> +'Dear, dear, Mr. Allan and Master Reggie,' said Duncan with a vexed +face; 'what will you haf peen doing that for? That wass a treatful +thing to do, to pe tale-bearers. Tear me; and what iss to pe done now?' +</P> + +<P> +'But, Duncan, smuggling is against the law, and it will be their own +fault——' +</P> + +<P> +'Well, but, Mr. Allan, you will pe for punishing folks that iss not +deserving to pe punished if you do such a foolish thing ass to pring +the police to them, and—och! Mr. Allan, Mr. Allan, why can't young +folks hev some sense! What iss to pe done now, after all you young +ladies and gentlemen hev tone such a senseless thing!' +</P> + +<P> +Duncan's evident excitement showed that argument was in vain; and there +was something in his manner that tended to convince the boys, against +their better judgment, that they had done wrong in speaking of their +discovery. They wandered down to the cricket-field, where the Grahams +were indulging in a solitary practice. +</P> + +<P> +'We'd better go and play with these fellows,' said Allan; 'we can't +leave them to amuse themselves all the time.' +</P> + +<P> +Presently the sound of wheels caused them to look round, and they saw +the doctor's gig turning in at the gate, with Tricksy on the front seat +beside Dr. MacGregor, and Marjorie and Hamish behind. +</P> + +<P> +'Brought you back the missing one,' cried the doctor to Mrs. Stewart, +who had come to the door to meet them; 'none the worse for her bath;' +and Tricksy jumped down and ran into the playing field followed more +slowly by the other two. +</P> + +<P> +'Come along and have a game,' cried Reggie; but the new-comers appeared +to have something on their minds. They stood eyeing one another in an +embarrassed way; Hamish looking sheepish and Marjorie mischievous; +while Tricksy's little flushed face was breaking into dimples, and both +girls displayed an inclination to giggle. +</P> + +<P> +'Wait a minute,' whispered Tricksy, as Allan came towards them, and +Marjorie said to her in a sharp undertone, 'Go on, can't you, and don't +be silly.' +</P> + +<P> +Thus admonished, Tricksy composed herself into gravity and produced a +large piece of cardboard with ornamental lettering from which she read +the following:— +</P> + +<BR> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +PROCLAMATION +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +TO THE BOYS OP ARDNAVOIR +</H4> + +<P> +We, the undersigned, hereby declare war against you. We challenge you +to open combat at our Fort. You must give us warning at what date and +time you will attack us. Any advantage gained in not attending to +these rules will be considered unfair. Any weapons allowed except +stones. +</P> + +<P CLASS="noindent"> +(<I>Signed</I>) 'HAMISH MACGREGOR,<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 3.5em">'MARJORIE,</SPAN><BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 3.5em">'TRICKSY.'</SPAN><BR> +</P> + +<BR> + +<P> +'Our Fort is the hut, of course, in you-know-where,' added Marjorie; +'and the challenging party have the right to choose whether they will +be besiegers or defenders, advantages to be as equal as possible. +That's all,' she concluded, with a sudden lapse into her usual manner. +</P> + +<P> +The two new boys had been listening with all their might. +</P> + +<P> +'Whatever does she mean?' they asked in an aside, turning to Reggie. +</P> + +<P> +'It's a challenge,' said Reggie. 'Let's hear what Allan says.' +</P> + +<P> +Allan was considering. +</P> + +<P> +'Shall we accept now, Reggie?' he asked. +</P> + +<P> +Reggie thought the combat might as well take place without delay; and +Allan replied to the Proclamation in these terms: +</P> + +<P> +'The Challenge is accepted. We will meet you at the Fort. You will be +the garrison, as there are fewer of you, and we'll attack.—Come along.' +</P> + +<P> +'Call the dogs, Reggie,' said Marjorie. 'Do you like sieges?' she +asked Gerald, as they were on their way to the shore. +</P> + +<P> +'Awful fun,' replied the fair-haired boy, whose pink and white face was +fast becoming tanned by wind and sun. +</P> + +<P> +'What weapons are to be used?' asked Marjorie, turning quickly to the +others. +</P> + +<P> +'Turfs,' replied Allan, 'and lumps of wet sea-weed if you like.' +</P> + +<P> +Marjorie gave a little jump as though she were pleased. +</P> + +<P> +The boat was launched, and cut swiftly through the transparent water, +while the new boys looked around with expectant faces. +</P> + +<P> +'What an awfully jolly place,' they said, as they sprang out on the +beach. 'Awful fun, having an island of your own to do as you like +with.' +</P> + +<P> +'Half-an-hour allowed for gathering ammunition,' called out Marjorie. +'We'll show Harry and Gerald over the place when we've had our fight. +We had better defend from the roof of the cottage, for we might pull +down the walls if we defended from the inside.' +</P> + +<P> +Some time was spent in digging clods of turf, a quantity of which was +piled on the roof of the hut for the defenders, while the attackers +disposed theirs in little heaps at a short distance from the fort. +</P> + +<P> +'Now for the sea-weed,' cried Marjorie; 'nothing like getting a heap of +wet tang thrown in your face when you're fighting.' +</P> + +<P> +The tide was far out, and quantities of wet sea-weed lay exposed on the +rocks. +</P> + +<P> +'No stones to be taken,' said Allan, sawing through the tough, thick +stalks with a large pocket-knife. +</P> + +<P> +'How do you like our way of playing?' asked Marjorie of Harry, as she +passed him, grasping in each hand a mass of wet sea-weed which dripped +down on her frock and shoes. +</P> + +<P> +'Awful fun,' replied the boy, his eyes sparkling with excitement. +</P> + +<P> +'Come along then, I think we've got enough.' +</P> + +<P> +She swung herself nimbly on to the roof, followed by Hamish and +Tricksy. The wind was freshening, and sang in their ears, making them +feel excited and eager for the fray. +</P> + +<P> +'It's rather stormy,' said Harry; 'do you think we'll get back?' +</P> + +<P> +'Of course,' said Marjorie; 'why, this is nothing! We like it to be a +little stormy, it's better fun. Call the others,' and they shouted for +the rest of the attacking party, who came hurrying, armed with +missiles. Laddie and Carlo followed in the rear, suspending their +operations among the rabbit burrows to see what was going to happen. +</P> + +<P> +'To your post, Gerald,' shouted Allan; and Gerald made a dart towards +the besiegers, just in time to avoid being caught in a rain of clods +which hurtled through the air. +</P> + +<P> +Allan and Reggie showed great dexterity in avoiding the missiles, but +Harry and Gerald, not having had so much practice in this kind of +warfare, acted the part of unwilling targets, and their neat suits were +soon bespattered with mud. +</P> + +<P> +'All in the day's work, eh?' said Allan, as he hurried past Gerald, who +was somewhat ruefully wiping the dirt off his cheek with one hand; +'Awful fun, isn't it?' +</P> + +<P> +'Awfully jolly,' assented Gerald, trying not to think that in the +bottom of his heart there was a doubt. +</P> + +<P> +A fresh shower of sods came from the cottage, accompanied by shouts +both from besiegers and besieged; and Laddie, who had been looking on +with a puzzled face and trying to make out what was the matter, came to +the conclusion that his young friends were engaged in deadly warfare, +and rushed between the opposing sides with a bark and a wagging tail, +bent upon making peace. +</P> + +<P> +'Down, Laddie, down,' shouted Allan, as the dog jumped up to lick his +face, after running frenziedly from one side to the other; 'trust, sir! +Go and lie down;' and Laddie, looking heart-broken, retired to the turf +dyke and lay watching the fray in consternation. +</P> + +<P> +The battle raged long and furiously, neither side appearing to gain the +advantage. +</P> + +<P> +The attacking party pressed round the walls of the cottage, only to be +beaten back by the projectiles which were showered upon them. Nerving +themselves to fresh efforts, they rushed to the attack, Allan calm, +Reggie intrepid, and the two Grahams animated by the wildest excitement. +</P> + +<P> +Seeing one spot undefended, Gerald made a dash for it, and had already +one foot on the wall, preparatory to scaling the cottage, when 'swish' +came a lump of sea-weed in his face; and before he had recovered from +the shock a pair of strong hands seized him and Marjorie's voice +shouted, 'A prisoner!' +</P> + +<P> +A wild rush was made to effect a rescue, but Hamish came to Marjorie's +assistance, and Gerald was pulled kicking and struggling up on the roof. +</P> + +<P> +'Now you had better sit down quietly,' said Hamish; 'you can watch the +fight from behind the chimney,' and Gerald was reluctantly obliged to +remain inactive. +</P> + +<P> +Furious at the loss of one of their number, the attacking party +precipitated themselves against the walls of the fort and the battle +became fiercer than ever. For some time the issue appeared doubtful, +but gradually the besiegers gained a footing on the walls from which +they could not be dislodged. Panting, buffeted, they forced their way +upwards, while the defenders rained blows and clods upon them. +</P> + +<P> +With a shout of victory, Allan had swung himself on to the roof, when a +cry of dismay was raised. +</P> + +<P> +'The roof is giving way!' +</P> + +<P> +Hastily they all jumped, and not a minute too soon, for some gaping +holes appeared in the thatch, and there was a rumble of falling stones. +</P> + +<P> +'It's all right,' panted Marjorie; 'we can put that right in a +morning's work. Oh, wasn't it a first-rate fight!' +</P> + +<P> +'Capital,' agreed the others, and Tricksy's voice piped in. 'I fought +very well too, didn't I, Marjorie?' +</P> + +<P> +'Oh, very well,' replied Marjorie, who had been greatly hampered by +Tricksy getting in her way at critical moments. 'But I think we all +need a rest now, don't we?' +</P> + +<P> +No second suggestion was needed; and they all flung themselves on the +ground and lay where they were, letting the sea-breeze blow upon their +heated faces. +</P> + +<P> +'Awfully jolly,' murmured Gerald; 'I should like to have a fight like +that every day.' +</P> + +<P> +Harry lay stretched out with a restless face looking about him with +eyes that sparkled notwithstanding his fatigue, and kicking his heels +when he had the energy to do so. Had he been less completely +exhausted, he would have got up and explored the island, taking Gerald +with him, but a cricket match and a siege in one afternoon, following a +long walk in the morning, are as much as most boys are capable of. +</P> + +<P> +Presently Reggie jumped up. +</P> + +<P> +'Allan,' he said, 'don't you think we ought to be going?' +</P> + +<P> +Allan looked at the waves which were beginning to jostle one another in +mid-channel. +</P> + +<P> +'Just about time,' he said. +</P> + +<P> +'Couldn't we show them the inside of the house first,' said Marjorie; +'it won't take a minute.' +</P> + +<P> +'All right,' said Allan, 'but we must be quick.' +</P> + +<P> +'Is this where you stay when it is wet,' said Harry, as they pushed +open the door of the cottage. 'What a jolly place. Can you light +fires on the hearth?' +</P> + +<P> +'Of course we can,' said Marjorie, 'and bake bannocks—why, Allan; some +one has been here since we left!' +</P> + +<P> +'Nonsense,' said Allan, looking about him. 'Why, I declare, some one +has!' +</P> + +<P> +'There has been a fresh fire lighted on the hearth,' said Marjorie, +'and the things are not as we left them. There are marks like +footprints on the floor too.' +</P> + +<P> +'What impudence,' said Reggie, with a darkening face. 'We must put up +a notice board. No one has any business to come here except ourselves.' +</P> + +<P> +Allan had been looking about him, and he suddenly darted forward and +took possession of some object lying upon the floor. After a glance at +it he turned white, gave an odd little gasp and slipped it into his +pocket. +</P> + +<P> +'What is it, Allan?' asked the others, crowding around. +</P> + +<P> +'Nothing,' he said; 'nothing at all. I don't think any one has been +here; it's all fancy.' +</P> + +<P> +Reggie's eyes looked very much astonished at this change of front. +</P> + +<P> +'Come along,' said Allan impatiently; 'it's time we went home,' and he +swept them out of the cottage with so much decision that they obeyed, +looking at him with puzzled faces. +</P> + +<P> +'Hulloa!' cried Hamish; 'we had better be going.' +</P> + +<P> +'Going?' echoed Allan; 'why, yes, we have no time to lose. Come along, +all of you.' +</P> + +<P> +'What's the matter?' asked Harry of Marjorie as they hurried towards +the boat. +</P> + +<P> +'It's a very high tide,' she said. 'Soon there will be a dangerous +current flowing between the two islands, and if we get into it we might +be swept out to sea. We are allowed to have the boat on condition that +we watch the tide-ways; so we have to be careful.' +</P> + +<P> +It took some hard rowing to gain the opposite shore; and when they had +landed, Reggie turned to Hamish. 'A near thing that, eh, Hamish?' he +said; and they all looked at the dark swift current which filled the +channel. +</P> + +<P> +'Ten minutes later, and we couldn't have crossed,' said Marjorie. +'What do you think, Allan?' +</P> + +<P> +Despite the danger so recently escaped, Allan's thoughts were +wandering. He looked round abstractedly, and slid into his pocket some +object which he had been turning over unobserved; and Reggie fancied he +caught a glimpse of a sailor's knife with some elaborate carving on the +handle. +</P> + +<P> +Reggie looked at his brother with a gleam of curiosity in his eyes. +</P> + +<P> +'Come along,' said Allan authoritatively; 'don't let's stand dawdling +about.' +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap08"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER VIII +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +A CRUISE IN THE 'HEROIC' +</H4> + +<P> +'I can't understand Allan at all,' declared Marjorie. She and Reggie, +armed with large pocket-knives, were engaged in cutting heather on the +moor, which stretched, a mass of purple, to the verge of the cliffs. A +pile of heather lay beside them, the result of an hour's hard sawing of +the wiry stems. +</P> + +<P> +Marjorie's remark had interrupted a busy silence. +</P> + +<P> +Reggie looked up with a twinkle in his eyes. He had been growing +thinner and browner during the summer, and his wrists came further +beyond the sleeves of his jacket. +</P> + +<P> +'What's the matter with Allan?' he asked. +</P> + +<P> +'Why,' said Marjorie impatiently, 'he is going on so oddly. First of +all, he wasn't to be found when we came here this morning—had been +away for hours—and he isn't usually in such a hurry to get up in the +holidays. Then when he comes back we all have to go off and get +heather to patch up the roof of the Pirates' Den. I can't make out why +he has grown so particular all of a sudden.' +</P> + +<P> +Reggie looked at her with a provoking smile. +</P> + +<P> +'I thought it was you who wanted the place kept water-tight,' he +suggested, 'in case we might be storm-stayed some evening and have to +spend the night there——' +</P> + +<P> +'That's all very well,' interrupted Marjorie, 'but that's not what's +making you and Allan so busy just now. Why did you go off together +yesterday, and stay away for such a time, leaving us to entertain your +guests? You're busy with something that you don't want us to know +about and I'd just like to find out what it is. It always irritates me +when people make mysteries out of nothing.' +</P> + +<P> +Reggie was looking grave, and his dark eyes studied Marjorie intently. +</P> + +<P> +'Hullo, you two,' said Allan, coming up; 'how are you getting on?' +</P> + +<P> +Marjorie rose up from the ground, and seated herself upon the pile of +cut heather. +</P> + +<P> +'I've just been telling Reggie that I know that you and he have a +secret between you,' she said, looking boldly at Allan. 'I'd just like +to know what it is. Hardly fair, I call it; keeping something from the +other members of the Compact——' +</P> + +<P> +She broke off upon seeing the grave, concerned expression in Allan's +eyes. +</P> + +<P> +'It's all right,' she said, looking fixedly out to sea; 'it's something +that you know you ought to keep from me, and I'm not going to find out +what it is.' +</P> + +<P> +She had become flushed, and her heart was beating fast as a suspicion +forced itself upon her. She turned, and stooping down, took up her +armful of heather. +</P> + +<P> +'I'm going to carry this to the boat,' she remarked, without looking +round. +</P> + +<P> +The boys looked after her retreating figure. +</P> + +<P> +'H'm,' said Allan, 'not bad for a girl.' +</P> + +<P> +Marjorie's reflections were interrupted by a about, and Harry came +running down the hill and caught her by the arm. +</P> + +<P> +'Well, what's the matter?' she asked irritably. +</P> + +<P> +'Look!' he panted, pulling her round. 'Look at that! Well, if you're +so cross you needn't, but you must be a duffer if you don't care to see +what's coming round that headland——' +</P> + +<P> +Marjorie's eyes followed in the direction pointed out by his shaking +finger, and her face cleared. +</P> + +<P> +A large vessel was gliding into view. +</P> + +<P> +Tricksy came running as fast as her little short legs would carry her, +the two dogs barking in her wake. +</P> + +<P> +'Marjorie,' she gasped, it's a man-o'-war; oh, don't you hope it's +that nice one that came last year!' +</P> + +<P> +By this time the vessel had been sighted by the others, who came down +to discuss the situation. +</P> + +<P> +'Perhaps she's a stranger,' suggested Hamish, feeling that it might be +better to prepare for a disappointment. +</P> + +<P> +'She's a fine big vessel, whatever she is,' said Harry. +</P> + +<P> +'She's like the one that was here last year,' said Marjorie. +</P> + +<P> +'Oh, don't you hope she's the same,' sighed Tricksy. +</P> + +<P> +'You are right, Marjorie,' said Reggie, whose eyes were the best; 'I'm +certain it's the old <I>Heroic</I>.' +</P> + +<P> +'What fun!' said Marjorie; while Tricksy sighed 'Oh, how nice!' +</P> + +<P> +'I wonder whether the same men are on board,' said Reggie, whose +serious expression had changed. +</P> + +<P> +'Don't know,' said Allan briefly, looking out to sea with his hands in +his pockets and a thoughtful face. +</P> + +<P> +His lack of enthusiasm caused all the others to look at him, and +Marjorie felt her fears revive. +</P> + +<P> +The man-of-war came to a standstill in Ardnavoir Bay and a boat put off +from her side. +</P> + +<P> +'Look, oh look,' cried Tricksy, 'they're coming on shore.' +</P> + +<P> +'Do you think they'll speak to us if they meet us?' inquired Harry, +whose eyes had never ceased to sparkle since the first discovery of the +vessel. +</P> + +<P> +'We'll go down to the landing-place as soon as the boat comes in,' said +Allan. +</P> + +<P> +'Can I go too?' asked Tricksy. +</P> + +<P> +Allan looked at her. +</P> + +<P> +'I think you two girls had better stay up here,' he said; and Tricksy's +face showed her disappointment. +</P> + +<P> +The boat was rapidly coming nearer, and soon she grounded near the spot +where the Pirate Craft lay beached. +</P> + +<P> +'There,' said Allan; 'there are three officers in the boat, and they're +getting out.' +</P> + +<P> +The young people clustered at the edge of the rocks and looked down. +</P> + +<P> +'We had better wait until they are gone,' said Allan; 'don't let them +see that we are watching them.' +</P> + +<P> +'They are going in the direction of Ardnavoir,' said Marjorie; 'I +believe they are going to call for your father and mother!' +</P> + +<P> +'Oh,' sighed Tricksy after the breathless pause during which they were +uncertain whether the officers were really going to enter the gate or +would pass by; 'they've gone in. I saw that nice one who came here +last year. Do you think they can be going to invite us to come on +board?' +</P> + +<P> +This question being rather difficult to answer, Allan suggested that +the boys should go down to the shore and see if any of their old +friends were in the boat. +</P> + +<P> +'Marjorie,' said Tricksy, as the two girls remained looking down from +above; 'do you think we should have better fun if we were boys?' +</P> + +<P> +Marjorie's reply was forestalled by a shout from below; and the girls +scrambled down to the beach. +</P> + +<P> +'Come along, you two,' said Allan; 'here's Jim Macdonnell, Euan's twin +brother, and a lot of the men who were here last year.' +</P> + +<P> +Greetings were exchanged with the pleasant-faced young blue-jacket and +his companions; and then the boys and girls sat down on the stones to +talk with their friends. +</P> + +<P> +The men could not come on shore, as no leave had yet been given, but +they hoped to be allowed to land on the following day. +</P> + +<P> +'You will be glad to see Euan,' said Marjorie to Jim Macdonnell. +</P> + +<P> +'Yes, Miss Marjorie,' replied the lad, but his handsome face clouded; +and Marjorie knew that he was thinking of his cousin Neil, once the +favourite of the island. +</P> + +<P> +'We were going to ask you, Mr. Allan,' he said, 'whether you young +gentlemen would come and have tea on board this afternoon; just with us +men, you know, sir.' +</P> + +<P> +'Thank you very much,' replied Allan, while all the boys looked +gratified; 'it would be no end jolly, and we'll come if Father will let +us. I'm sure he will. May we bring our friends too, Harry and Gerald +Graham?' +</P> + +<P> +'To be sure, sir,' replied Jim; 'we'll be glad to see the young +gentlemen. Are you fond of the sea, sir?' he inquired, turning to +Harry. +</P> + +<P> +Yes,' replied Harry, 'and I'm going into the navy.' +</P> + +<P> +'That's good,' said Jim. 'Perhaps I'll see you as a midshipman next +time we meet.' +</P> + +<P> +'Perhaps,' said Harry; 'and I hope I'll be a captain before very long.' +</P> + +<P> +'I hope you will be an admiral some day, sir, I'm sure,' answered Jim +gravely. +</P> + +<P> +'Thank you,' said Harry; 'yes, I daresay I shall be.' +</P> + +<P> +Allan turned his head away, and a smile gleamed out for an instant upon +Marjorie's face. Harry saw it and did not feel pleased, and he +remarked to Gerald afterwards that he was afraid Marjorie thought a +great deal too much of herself. +</P> + +<P> +'And what are you going to be, air?' inquired another of the men, +turning to Gerald, who was sitting by with a thoughtful face. +</P> + +<P> +'I'm going into the army, I think,' answered Gerald; 'but I don't know +if I can pass the exams. They're very difficult, but I'm going to try.' +</P> + +<P> +'Here are the gentlemen coming back again,' said Jim. +</P> + +<P> +'Then we'll leave you now,' said Allan; 'but we'll see you again in the +afternoon.' +</P> + +<P> +'Right you are, sir,' replied Jim; 'we'll send a boat to fetch you.' +</P> + +<P> +'You are lucky,' said Marjorie to the boys. 'How I wish we could go +too. Do you think they meant to invite us?' +</P> + +<P> +Allan looked doubtful. +</P> + +<P> +'I don't know,' he said. 'I don't think they thought of it. But I +daresay they would be glad to see you if you came.' +</P> + +<P> +'It's no good, I'm afraid,' answered Marjorie; 'I'd have to ask Mother +and she'd be sure to say no. But there is the boat going away, and +listen, isn't that the horn?' +</P> + +<P> +They hearkened for a moment, and it was unmistakably the old ram's horn +which was sounded at Ardnavoir to summon those at a distance when any +notable event was about to take place. +</P> + +<P> +'I wonder what it can be,' said Tricksy, as they scampered in the +direction of the mansion-house; 'do you think it can have anything to +do with the <I>Heroic</I>, Allan?' +</P> + +<P> +Mrs. Stewart was in the doorway. +</P> + +<P> +'We are invited to luncheon on board the <I>Heroic</I>,' she announced. +'The officers have signalled to ask Dr. and Mrs. MacGregor to come too, +and we have telephoned to say that Marjorie can get ready here, if Mrs. +MacGregor will bring her things with her.' +</P> + +<P> +The young people did not look so pleased as Mrs. Stewart had +anticipated. +</P> + +<P> +'How many of us are asked, Mummie?' inquired Tricksy. +</P> + +<P> +'As many as care to come,' answered Mrs. Stewart. 'The boys may come +too if they like.' +</P> + +<P> +All the boys looked unwilling. +</P> + +<P> +'Don't you want to go?' asked Mrs. Stewart in surprise. +</P> + +<P> +'Yes, Mother,' answered Allan; 'but the men have invited us already.' +</P> + +<P> +'And would you rather go with them?' +</P> + +<P> +The boys' faces showed that they would, and Mrs. Stewart gave +permission with a laugh. +</P> + +<P> +Tricksy sidled up to her mother. +</P> + +<P> +'Mummie, don't you think that Marjorie and I could go too?' she asked. +</P> + +<P> +'No, I am quite sure that it wouldn't do,' replied Mrs. Stewart; and +the girls looked disappointed. +</P> + +<P> +'You had better go upstairs and begin to get ready,' said Mrs. Stewart. +'Marjorie can brush her hair'—looking dubiously at the tangled mass of +curls, in which bits of grass and heather had become intermixed, 'and +perhaps by that time her other frock and her hat will have arrived.' +</P> + +<P> +The girls turned to go upstairs, but paused to look at Carlo, who came +running down the steps, wriggling his small body, and whining as though +he were in pain. +</P> + +<P> +'What's the matter with the poor little dog?' they cried. +</P> + +<P> +Every one turned round as Carlo landed on the rug, and stood yelping +distressfully. +</P> + +<P> +'Whatever is the little brute going on about?' said Reggie, looking at +him with curiosity. +</P> + +<P> +'Something is hurting him,' said Hamish. +</P> + +<P> +'I never saw him go on like that before,' remarked Allan. +</P> + +<P> +Laddie sprang forward, wagging his tail and running to every one in +turn, trying to explain that his little friend needed help. +</P> + +<P> +'Look how he bites his tail,' cried Mrs. Stewart, 'why do you do that, +Carlo?' +</P> + +<P> +'Hydrophobia, perhaps,' suggested Allan; and some of the bystanders +edged a little farther away. +</P> + +<P> +'Poor little dog,' said Gerald soothingly; 'tell us what's the matter +with you.' +</P> + +<P> +At the sound of the pitying voice the little dog gathered up his ears, +then sat up and uttered a doleful howl, accompanied by agitated +movements of his fore-paws. +</P> + +<P> +'There's something clinging to his tail,' cried Reggie suddenly, +pouncing upon him. 'Why, just look at this; it's a couple of small +crabs!' +</P> + +<P> +'Where can he have got them from?' asked Mrs. Stewart, looking +bewildered; 'he came from upstairs.' +</P> + +<P> +'Oh, it's—it's—<I>I</I> know,' stuttered Gerald, flushing deeply. +'It's—I'll put it all right, you needn't come.' +</P> + +<P> +The remainder of the sentence was lost as he hurried upstairs. +</P> + +<P> +'Whatever is he about?' said Marjorie; 'let's go and see.' +</P> + +<P> +Gerald became very red again as he was discovered in the room which he +shared with Harry, collecting some small objects from the floor. +</P> + +<P> +You needn't have come,' he said. 'It's—it's only my collection, and +they've been escaping——' +</P> + +<P> +'Ha, ha!' laughed Harry; 'it's those snails and things that he has been +gathering on the beach, and they've crawled all over the place!' +</P> + +<P> +Gerald stood, flushing to the roots of his hair, and shrinking from the +mirth of the others. +</P> + +<P> +His treasures had been trying to make themselves at home in their new +quarters. The little crabs and lobsters had scattered in search of +water, and the shell-fish had crawled over the floor or attached +themselves to the wall, where they waited with tilted shells for the +tide that failed to come. +</P> + +<P> +'Never mind, Gerald,' said Marjorie, as tears began to start in the +boy's eyes; 'it's very nice making a collection, and I've got a nice +pail with a lid that I'll give you to keep the things in.' +</P> + +<P> +'And now,' said Mrs. Stewart, 'I see the pony cart coming up the drive, +with Mrs. MacGregor in it; run and get ready, girls, or we shall be +late.' +</P> + +<P> +After about a quarter of an hour's tidying, Marjorie was released from +her mother's hands, dressed in a cream serge frock and a large hat, and +with her hair brushed out and neatly arranged. +</P> + +<P> +Feeling unlike herself and hardly satisfied with the change, she peeped +in the glass as soon as her mother's back was turned. +</P> + +<P> +Her own reflection caused her to start and colour with surprise. +</P> + +<P> +Blue eyes, bright with suppressed excitement, a wild rose face framed +in short fair curls and set off by the light colours of her attire, +slender hands and neat ankles—'and that's me,' said Marjorie to +herself in bewilderment. +</P> + +<P> +Tricksy came into the room, wearing a white hanging frock with a big +floppy white hat. +</P> + +<P> +'Dear me,' said Marjorie to herself, taking another glance in the +mirror, after the eyes of the two girls had met in silent approval of +one another; 'curious that we've never thought of it before—perhaps +it's because we so seldom have bothered to look in the glass—but it +strikes me that we're actually a pair of very pretty girls—with our +hair brushed and our faces washed!' +</P> + +<P> +They went downstairs without speaking, and encountered the boys in the +hall. +</P> + +<P> +All eyes were attracted to them; then an approving expression came into +the boys' faces, and as the girls passed they moved somewhat aside to +look at them from another point of view. +</P> + +<P> +Despite the anxiety which had brooded over her since morning, Marjorie +began to feel her spirits rise. +</P> + +<P> +'Marjorie,' said Tricksy solemnly, as Duncan was driving them to the +landing-stage, 'which do you think is the best fun, being a boy or +being a girl?' +</P> + +<P> +Marjorie had been lost in thought, but at Tricksy's question her eyes +began to dance. +</P> + +<P> +'I think it's best of all to be a tomboy,' she said, 'and then you can +be a bit of both!' +</P> + +<P> +When the sailors had shipped their oars, and the boat glided under the +side of the great war-vessel, first the ladies, and then the girls were +assisted on deck and greeted by the captain, erect and +broad-shouldered, and by the officers, the youngest of whom was +Tricksy's friend of the year before. Dr. MacGregor and the laird and +Mr. Graham were already on board. +</P> + +<P> +'Hullo, Miss Tricksy, how do you do?' said a voice, and Tricksy looked +up to see the Sheriff, who was smiling at her with outstretched hand. +</P> + +<P> +Tricksy looked solemnly up in his face. +</P> + +<P> +'Well, aren't you going to shake hands, Tricksy?' said the Sheriff. +</P> + +<P> +'No,' said Tricksy deliberately. +</P> + +<P> +The Sheriff's expression altered. +</P> + +<P> +'And why not, Miss Tricksy, if I might inquire?' he said. +</P> + +<P> +Tricksy met his grim smile with a solemn stare of disapproval. +</P> + +<P> +'Because you let a great friend of ours be put in prison when he didn't +deserve it,' she replied. 'That was why I sent back the big box of +chocolates that you sent me by post. Mother did not know that it had +come. We can't be friends until you've owned yourself in the wrong. +We've all joined a Compact to get our friend back again and to show +that it wasn't he who did it. I've got it with me,' and Tricksy began +to fumble in her pocket. +</P> + +<P> +The smile was beginning to twitch at the corners of the Sheriff's lips +again when he was addressed by one of the officers. The little scene +had passed unobserved by all save Marjorie, as the captain suggested +that, the weather being fine and time at their disposal, the <I>Heroic</I> +should take their visitors on a tour round Inchkerra. +</P> + +<P> +'Certainly, certainly,' said the Sheriff at haphazard, and Tricksy +slipped away. +</P> + +<P> +'In the meanwhile I think lunch is ready,' said Captain Redwood, and +each of the officers took a lady downstairs, Tricksy falling to the +share of the youngest. +</P> + +<P> +'Dear me, this isn't half so exciting as I expected,' said Marjorie to +herself. 'What stupid grown-up things they are talking about; I am +sure they wouldn't be interested if I were to tell them about the +things we do, riding bare-backed ponies, and about the Craft and the +Den, and finding the smugglers; and I have nothing else to talk to them +about. They haven't taken much notice of Tricksy and me after all; +they weren't a bit surprised when they saw us; we're pretty, but not +any prettier than lots of other girls, and it isn't enough to make a +fuss about.' +</P> + +<P> +She wondered what Tricksy was finding to say to Lieutenant Jones, the +young officer by whose side she was sitting, and who appeared to be +greatly entertained by the little girl. +</P> + +<P> +After lunch they returned on deck to see a boat bring the boys on +board; then the screw was set in motion and the water began to churn +itself into foam round the vessel's sides. +</P> + +<P> +'It isn't bad,' said Marjorie to herself as the <I>Heroic</I> ploughed her +way past the well-known shores, 'but it's a bother not having anything +to do. I've seen all this before, and it isn't as though we were +rowing for all we were worth in the old <I>Mermaid</I>—I mean, the +<I>Craft</I>—and in danger of getting into currents and being swept away to +I don't know where. Now I have no doubt the boys are having no end of +a good time, going into the engine-room and getting themselves dirty, +and climbing all over the place, and listening to the sailors' yarns. +Once I get out of this, catch me bother any more about looking nice, +and being grown-up, and all the rest of it—it will be time enough when +I'm so old that I get no fun out of being a tomboy any more.' +</P> + +<P> +Lieutenant Jones left Tricksy and came to sit beside Marjorie for a +turn. +</P> + +<P> +'I suppose you are quite accustomed to sailing as you live in an +island, Miss MacGregor?' he said. +</P> + +<P> +'Yes,' replied Marjorie, 'we are all very fond of boating, the boys and +Tricksy and I,' and after talking for a little while she began to think +that a grown-up man was nearly as good company as a boy once you got +him upon the right subject. +</P> + +<P> +'Now,' said the Sheriff, coming up with his spy-glass, 'we are coming +near the finest bit of rock scenery on the island; one of the finest, +in my opinion, on this part of the West Coast.' +</P> + +<P> +The <I>Heroic</I> was just rounding the point which concealed the Smugglers' +Caves from view. +</P> + +<P> +'The Corrachin Crags,' continued the Sheriff; 'the caves are remarkably +fine; interesting, too, as in former times they are said to have been +used for smuggling purposes, and as hiding-places for pirates and other +lawless characters——' +</P> + +<P> +'Now!' burst from the lips of the gazers as the lofty cliffs came in +view, with the waves tumbling at their base. +</P> + +<P> +Captain Redwood had issued orders to slacken speed, and as the vessel +steamed slowly past, a fine view was obtained of bold masses of rock +and the black openings to the caves, with the startled birds rising in +clouds and screaming. +</P> + +<P> +'If all stories are true, the caves are still sometimes put to their +old uses,' observed Mrs. MacGregor as the <I>Heroic's</I> engines throbbed +through the smooth swell of the water; 'for all we know, the most +thrilling adventures may be taking place there.' +</P> + +<P> +'A score of men might lie in hiding without discovering one another's +presence,' said the laird; 'the caves form a regular network, and +stretch a long way underground. The entire headland is said to be +honeycombed with them——' +</P> + +<P> +'Hullo, good people!' cried a soft little voice from overhead, followed +by a triumphant laugh. +</P> + +<P> +Every one looked round, and half-way up the mast Tricksy was +discovered, who having become annoyed at her desertion by Lieutenant +Jones, was indulging in an exploring expedition on her own account. +Her little round face smiled mischievously from between a large white +hat and tumbled frock, and she sat swinging her heels in perfect +contentment. +</P> + +<P> +Jim Macdonnell's duties having brought him to the quarter-deck at this +moment, the captain made him a sign almost without pausing in the +sentence which he was addressing to Mrs. Stewart. +</P> + +<P> +The sailor climbed into the rigging and removed Tricksy very gently +from her perch, tucked her under one arm with her head hanging in front +and her heels behind, slid down the ropes and deposited the little girl +on the deck. +</P> + +<P> +Tricksy stood and looked at every one in speechless wrath. Her +dignity, being as great as her anger, prevented her from giving way to +an outburst before she should have discovered who deserved it most. +</P> + +<P> +Lieutenant Jones crossed over to her. +</P> + +<P> +'I suppose you have been round all this place before, Miss Tricksy,' he +said in a conversational tone. +</P> + +<P> +Tricksy looked at him with mistrust. +</P> + +<P> +'I believe you are great explorers and rock-climbers, you and your +brothers, Miss Tricksy,' continued the officer, as though being carried +down from a mast before a crowd of people were a matter of everyday +occurrence; 'I envy you your opportunities——' +</P> + +<P> +This sounded quite like the way the other officers had been talking to +the grown-up ladies, and Tricksy found her stiffness begin to forsake +her. +</P> + +<P> +The most important point was to discover whether the Sheriff had seen +what had occurred. If he had not been a witness, Tricksy felt that she +might allow herself to get over it. +</P> + +<P> +Her eyes sought her enemy, but that magistrate was, or affected to be, +engrossed in trying to bring his telescope to bear upon the caves, and +the episode had apparently escaped him. +</P> + +<P> +'Talking of people hiding in the caves,' he said suddenly; 'Mrs. +MacGregor, do you see the figure of a man at the mouth of the one which +we are now opposite? From his attitude he might be a fugitive from +justice or any other of these interesting desperadoes about whom we +have been talking——' +</P> + +<P> +Marjorie's face flushed, and she began to tremble from head to foot. +</P> + +<P> +'Wait a minute, Mrs. MacGregor,' said the Sheriff, 'I will get my +glasses adjusted. Curious; there is something in the man's appearance +which seems familiar to me——' +</P> + +<P> +He was about to take another look when the air was rent by the shrill +whistle of a siren. +</P> + +<P> +They all turned round in astonishment, and when they looked towards the +rocks again the figure had disappeared. +</P> + +<P> +The captain's face had become stern, but the culprit proved to be only +a small boy in a jacket whose sleeves were too short for him. +</P> + +<P> +Marjorie had seen more, however; she had seen that it was Jim +Macdonnell who had made Reggie blow the siren. +</P> + +<P> +During the rest of the afternoon things seemed to be swimming before +Marjorie's eyes, and she heard only a confused murmur of voices. +</P> + +<P> +When the voyage was over she went straight to Allan. +</P> + +<P> +'Allan,' she said abruptly, 'I may as well tell you that I know your +secret. Neil is in Inchkerra—and he is in hiding.' +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap09"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER IX +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +DISAPPOINTMENT +</H4> + +<P> +Allan looked at Marjorie with his hands in his pockets. +</P> + +<P> +'It's all right,' said Marjorie hastily; 'I won't tell any one, but I +couldn't help finding it out, for I saw Neil. Anyhow, I know so much +already that I might as well know the rest. To begin with, it was +Neil's knife that you picked up in the Den; I saw the letters on the +handle.' +</P> + +<P> +Allan watched Marjorie narrowly for a minute, and then he seemed to +become reassured. +</P> + +<P> +'Listen, Marjorie,' he said; 'mind you don't let out a word of this to +any one. It would be an awful thing if Neil were taken now. He came +back a few days ago, in a smuggling vessel, to see his mother. Mrs. +Macdonnell is very ill, as you know'—Marjorie nodded, a lump being in +her throat—'and she thinks she can't live long. Some one who knew +where Neil was wrote and told him that she was always saying how much +she wished she could see him before she died, and he came back at once, +although the police may get him at any minute and he knows it. In the +meanwhile she is much worse, and he refuses to go away until he sees +whether she is going to recover. Mrs. Macdonnell keeps asking him to +clear out, but he always says there is no hurry, and that he will wait +until she is better. It's awfully senseless of him, for he might be +seen any day; but Neil always was a bit obstinate once he takes a thing +into his head. He hides most of the day and comes out when there isn't +much chance of his meeting any one. But if he were found out he would +be taken and sent to prison as sure as fate, so you must tell no one, +Marjorie, not a soul. Reggie knows, but none of the others.' +</P> + +<P> +Every particle of colour had left Marjorie's face, but her lips set +themselves firmly. +</P> + +<P> +'You needn't be afraid of me, Allan,' she said. 'We must get him +persuaded to go away at once, for his mother would never get over it if +he were caught.' +</P> + +<P> +'Can't do anything just now,' said Allan; 'there is no way of getting +him out of the island while the <I>Heroic</I> is here, and this afternoon +the men were declaring that as soon as they got shore leave they would +search the island for the man who they say is "skulking round." We can +only hope that they won't go very far into the caves, or that the ship +will soon be ordered north. But, Marjorie, don't go about with a face +like that, whatever you do, or you'll show people that something's the +matter. Remember that if either the Pater or your father were to find +out that Neil is here, it would be their duty to let the police know, +and they wouldn't like to have to do that.' +</P> + +<P> +Marjorie drew herself together. +</P> + +<P> +'You needn't be afraid of me, Allan,' she said, as she turned away. 'I +can keep a secret as well as you and Reggie, and you know it.' +</P> + +<P> +On the following morning Allan was hardly surprised to encounter +Marjorie upon the little hill which commanded a view of the sea near +Ardnavoir. Her pony was beside her, and she had evidently risen with +the dawn and ridden over the moors. +</P> + +<P> +'Any news?' she inquired anxiously. +</P> + +<P> +'Nothing at all,' he replied. 'The <I>Heroic</I> is quite quiet yet, as you +see.' +</P> + +<P> +They looked at the dark hull which was lying motionless upon the water. +</P> + +<P> +'Duncan rode over to the caves last night to tell Neil to keep out of +sight while the <I>Heroic</I> is here,' said Allan. 'The only fear is if +the men should try exploring with torches. There are openings from the +caves on to the moors, but if the island is swarming with men it +wouldn't be much good trying to escape by them.' +</P> + +<P> +'Oh,' cried Marjorie, looking at the <I>Heroic</I>, 'if only they would go +away. Couldn't we invent some excuse for getting them out of the way +while we get Neil into safety.' +</P> + +<P> +'No good, I'm afraid,' said Allan. 'They have their orders from the +Admiralty, and they wouldn't attend to anything else.' +</P> + +<P> +Marjorie looked hopeless. +</P> + +<P> +'I shall have to go home now,' she said; 'there's some one moving about +in your garden, so it must be nearly breakfast-time. Let me know if +there's any news.' +</P> + +<P> +'Don't go yet,' said Allan decidedly. 'You must stay and have +breakfast with us. I bet you didn't have anything before you left?' +</P> + +<P> +'I had a crust of bread,' said Marjorie reluctantly. 'Elspeth keeps +everything locked up at night, and I couldn't wait.' +</P> + +<P> +'Come along,' said Allan. 'You'll be in the best place for seeing what +the <I>Heroic</I> is about.' +</P> + +<P> +The argument was irresistible and Marjorie yielded. +</P> + +<P> +'Never mind Cheeky,' said Allan; 'he won't wander far.' +</P> + +<P> +The bridle was taken off the shaggy little pony whom Marjorie had not +waited to saddle, and Marjorie and Allan went down the hill. +</P> + +<P> +Reggie and Harry were already out of doors, Harry addressing himself +with sparkling eyes to Reggie, who was unusually silent. When Allan +came in view together with Marjorie, Reggie studied the pair +inquiringly and received a reassuring nod from Allan. +</P> + +<P> +'Seen the <I>Heroic</I>?' began Harry; 'I say, if the men get their leave +to-day do you think they will let us come with them?' +</P> + +<P> +'We might show them the interesting places on the island,' said Reggie, +with a sidelong glance at Allan. +</P> + +<P> +'Oh, I say, what fun,' exclaimed Harry; 'I'd take them to the +Smugglers' Caves and let them explore.' +</P> + +<P> +Reggie looked at Allan again. +</P> + +<P> +'I wouldn't do that, if I were you, Harry,' said Allan. 'You don't +know much about the caves yourself yet, you know, and they're most +awfully dangerous; great holes full of water where you don't expect +them, and rocks that might fall on the top of you and crush you to +pieces; and then the smugglers might be lying in ambush round the +corners, you know.' +</P> + +<P> +Tricksy, who had come out to join the others, opened her eyes very +widely at this account of the hidden perils of the caves. +</P> + +<P> +'Look,' cried Reggie, 'they're signalling something from the <I>Heroic</I>.' +</P> + +<P> +A string of flags had suddenly floated out from the <I>Heroic's</I> masthead. +</P> + +<P> +'Wait, and I'll fetch a spy-glass,' said Allan, running towards the +house. +</P> + +<P> +'Something about telling something to Father,' he said, after studying +the signals for awhile; 'I can't make out the rest.' +</P> + +<P> +They looked at each other with frightened eyes. +</P> + +<P> +'Here, Reggie,' said Allan, handing him the glass, 'you try.' +</P> + +<P> +Reggie looked, then shook his head. +</P> + +<P> +'Can't make anything of it,' he said. +</P> + +<P> +'Perhaps they want us to come on board again,' said Harry. 'You might +give me the glass for a minute, Reggie.' +</P> + +<P> +'They can't have been exploring already?' suggested Marjorie, in a +voice designed only for Allan's and Reggie's ears. +</P> + +<P> +'Don't know,' said Allan. 'If only they hadn't gone and made Father a +J.P.!' he added, with a judiciously suppressed groan. +</P> + +<P> +'They're signalling from the coastguard station, do you see?' cried +Tricksy. +</P> + +<P> +'Where's Gerald?' said Harry; 'he ought to be here to see this. Lazy +beggar, if I don't remember to wake him at four in the morning he +always oversleeps.' +</P> + +<P> +He flew into the house, and returned shortly, followed by Gerald, who +came rubbing his eyes and trying to seem grateful to his brother for +having roused him out of the first good sleep he had enjoyed for weeks. +</P> + +<P> +'There's a coastguard just coming up the drive,' said Reggie. +</P> + +<P> +'Perhaps all the men are going to ask us to a picnic or something,' +suggested Harry; while Marjorie, Allan, and Reggie watched the +messenger. +</P> + +<P> +Nothing was to be gathered from the demeanour of the coastguard, and +after he had gone down the avenue all the young people crowded into the +hall. +</P> + +<P> +'A letter,' said Allan, looking at an envelope lying on the hall table; +'Allan Stewart, Esq. that doesn't tell us much, and Father has gone +out.' +</P> + +<P> +'Perhaps it's for you,' suggested Tricksy. +</P> + +<P> +'Not it,' said Allan unwillingly; 'they'd never address me as esquire, +especially as Father is Allan too. Can't do anything until he comes +back.' +</P> + +<P> +'What do you think he can have gone out for?' inquired Marjorie, and +the faces of the others were as anxious as her own. +</P> + +<P> +'Now, young people,' cried Mrs. Stewart's voice, 'come to breakfast; +the <I>Heroic</I> will wait while you have some food.' +</P> + +<P> +Marjorie, Allan, and Reggie tore themselves unwillingly away from the +letter. +</P> + +<P> +'Mother,' said Allan persuasively, 'there's a letter for Father out +there on the hall table; it's some message from the <I>Heroic</I>; don't you +think you might open it and see what they say?' +</P> + +<P> +Mrs. Stewart looked surprised. +</P> + +<P> +'I can't open a letter addressed to your father,' she said. 'Have +patience a little while; he may not be long.' +</P> + +<P> +'But, Mother, perhaps it's something very important,' persisted Allan; +'they may be waiting for an answer, you know.' +</P> + +<P> +'I don't think it can be so important as all that,' said Mrs. Stewart. +'Take your places, Allan and Reggie, everything is getting cold.' +</P> + +<P> +The young people felt that their patience would give way in another +minute. +</P> + +<P> +'Come here, Gerald,' said Mrs. Stewart, 'beside Tricksy; and Harry, you +can sit by Marjorie.' +</P> + +<P> +Harry looked unwilling. +</P> + +<P> +'Oh, Mother,' cried Tricksy, 'you are putting him with his back to the +window!' +</P> + +<P> +Mrs. Stewart looked mystified. +</P> + +<P> +'He wants to see the <I>Heroic</I>,' explained Tricksy; 'we are watching to +see when the boats leave.' +</P> + +<P> +Mrs. Stewart gave Harry a seat on the other side of the table, an +arrangement which placed Allan where he could not see what was going +on. He and Marjorie and Reggie had to rest satisfied with the +discovery that they were able to communicate by means of kicking one +another's shins under the table, although this method of intelligence +made them feel if possible more distracted than before. +</P> + +<P> +'Look how the men are running about on board,' said Tricksy. 'They +look like little black ants! They must be going to launch the boats +now.' +</P> + +<P> +Harry's bright eyes did not leave the vessel for an instant. Of a +sudden his jaw dropped and his face became blank. +</P> + +<P> +'What's the matter?' cried every one. +</P> + +<P> +'They're going away,' cried Harry. +</P> + +<P> +Every one sprang from table and looked. +</P> + +<P> +'They can't be going round to the caves,' said Marjorie. 'Oh, dear, +how can we stop them. I'll take Cheeky and go and warn him.' +</P> + +<P> +Fortunately this remark passed unnoticed amid the hubbub. +</P> + +<P> +'They aren't going away altogether, are they?' asked Tricksy, her eyes +becoming large with dismay. +</P> + +<P> +Allan made a rush for the door, and ran up against his father, who was +coming in. +</P> + +<P> +'Hard luck,' said Mr. Stewart, holding out the letter; 'the <I>Heroic</I> +has received unexpected orders, and they have to sail northward without +delay. No shore leave, so they take this opportunity of saying +good-bye.' +</P> + +<P> +'Aw—w—w,' said Harry, Gerald, and Tricksy, while the others had +difficulty in repressing an inclination to cheer. +</P> + +<P> +'When are they coming back again?' asked Gerald. +</P> + +<P> +'Next year, perhaps,' said Mr. Stewart, smiling. +</P> + +<P> +The faces became if possible more blank than before. +</P> + +<P> +'She's out of sight,' said Harry in a dejected tone, going to the +window. +</P> + +<P> +'Is she?' said Gerald, looking out too; 'why, so she is.' +</P> + +<P> +'If you fellows want to see her,' said Allan, 'why don't you go to the +top of the hill? You'll get a first-class view from there.' +</P> + +<P> +Without a word the boys darted from the room and out at the front door, +Harry with his bootlaces untied and flapping about his ankles, and +Gerald without a hat. In scrambling over the wall Harry became caught, +and fell sprawling on the ground, but picked himself up and ran on as +if nothing had happened. +</P> + +<P> +'Come, you two,' said Allan, 'now that we've got them safely out of the +way we've got to do something.' +</P> + +<P> +Marjorie ran for her bridle and put it on Cheeky, who was cropping +grass by the stream. +</P> + +<P> +'Go on,' shouted Allan; 'don't wait for us, we'll soon catch you up. +Let's go and catch Dewdrop and Daisy, Reggie; bicycles are no good for +the moors.' +</P> + +<P> +In a short time Marjorie was overtaken by the two boys, perched upon +bridleless, bare-backed ponies. +</P> + +<P> +The wind whistled past as they galloped over the level ground, and they +were almost too breathless to speak as they urged their ponies up the +slopes of the hill. +</P> + +<P> +'Oh, gee up, Daisy; gee-up!' cried Allan, 'we have no time to lose +to-day!' +</P> + +<P> +'Glad we got away all right,' he panted as they stood breathing their +ponies on the summit; 'it would never do to have these two dragging +about and asking questions. We've just got to get Neil out of there +before anything more happens,' he continued. 'The boat is waiting +about, watching for an opportunity to leave as soon as the <I>Heroic</I> +goes; and we must make Neil promise to leave with her.' +</P> + +<P> +The sturdy little ponies descended the slopes with the sure-footedness +of cats; then sprang pluckily over the moss-hags which covered the +greater part of the peninsula. +</P> + +<P> +Suddenly, without warning, they became entangled in a treacherous piece +of bog, from which they did not struggle into safety until Marjorie's +pony had lost a shoe. +</P> + +<P> +'Look out,' cried Allan, as they were about to spring forward once +more; 'it's here that there are those holes that go down into the +caves, and you don't see them until you've nearly fallen into them.' +</P> + +<P> +Curbing their impatience, they dismounted and walked, leading the +ponies by the bridle. +</P> + +<P> +'There,' said Marjorie as they neared the cliff, 'the tide's rising, +and they're shaking out the sails on the smugglers' vessel.' +</P> + +<P> +'Shall we all go down?' asked Reggie. +</P> + +<P> +'No,' said Allan, 'the fewer the better. You stay here with the +ponies, and I'll go down with Marjorie.' +</P> + +<P> +'Me?' said Marjorie, surprised. +</P> + +<P> +'Yes, you. You've got to speak to him and get him to leave. Come +along.' +</P> + +<P> +They lowered themselves over the edge of the cliff, and clambered to +the beach. +</P> + +<P> +Two faces scowled at them over the bulwarks of the boat, and the +captain waiting on the shore, a man of foreign appearance, with a +shaggy black beard and a sou'-wester, glanced disapprovingly at +Marjorie. +</P> + +<P> +Somewhat alarmed, she turned and discovered Duncan standing beside her. +</P> + +<P> +The butler was more disturbed at the encounter than seemed to Marjorie +at all necessary, and her astonishment was completed when Rob MacLean +and the lighthouse-keeper appeared, rolling a heavy barrel between them. +</P> + +<P> +'Here, lend a hand,' they cried to Duncan; then they stopped short on +observing Allan and Marjorie. +</P> + +<P> +'Why, they are <I>all</I> smugglers!' Marjorie was on the point of +exclaiming; but Allan seized her arm and gripped it warningly. +</P> + +<P> +'We've come to see Neil, and to try to make him go with you,' he said, +addressing himself to the men in a body. +</P> + +<P> +Immediately the faces became less grim. +</P> + +<P> +'That iss ahl right, Mr. Allan,' said Rob MacLean; 'you will pe finding +him in a cave right opposite. Speak to him, Miss Marjorie; he iss +ferry foolish and he will not pe wanting to come.' +</P> + +<P> +Marjorie was still looking in a surprised way at Duncan, whom she +hardly seemed to recognise in his new character of a smuggler; but +Allan renewed his pressure upon her arm. +</P> + +<P> +'Tell him he must go, Mr. Allan and Miss Marjorie,' said Duncan, 'and +he must not be long, ta captain cannot be waiting or he will miss the +tide. He iss a ferry impatient man iss ta captain, whateffer.' +</P> + +<P> +All right,' said Allan; 'we'll talk to him. You go in first, Marjorie.' +</P> + +<P> +A short way from the entrance Marjorie came upon Neil; but what a +change in her old playmate! Pale, and looking still paler in the dim +light; with worn and soiled clothing, and his former bright, pleasant +expression changed into sullen despair. +</P> + +<P> +Marjorie's heart sank. +</P> + +<P> +'Neil,' she began, 'we've come to see you, Allan and I.' +</P> + +<P> +'Indeed, Miss Marjorie, it is ferry good of you,' said the lad, rising +and looking down upon her with a grateful expression, 'but wass it not +ferry unwise of you to come? That sea-captain iss a rough character +and he might——' +</P> + +<P> +'Never mind us, Neil,' said Marjorie, 'we're all right. We only wanted +to say that we are your friends, whatever happens, and we hope that +things will come right for you. And now, Neil, you will go away for a +little while, will you not? Don't stay here while you are in such +danger of being found.' +</P> + +<P> +Neil looked down upon her, and his face darkened again. +</P> + +<P> +'I cannot be leaving Inchkerra just now, Miss Marjorie,' he said. +</P> + +<P> +'Oh, Neil, do go away. Think what it would be to your mother if you +were found—think what it would be to <I>all</I> of us, Neil——' +</P> + +<P> +'Schooner's beginning to weigh anchor,' cried a gruff voice outside. +</P> + +<P> +'Come, Neil, don't waste time,' said Marjorie. +</P> + +<P> +Neil seated himself determinedly upon a fragment of rock. +</P> + +<P> +'I will not be leaving the island just now, Miss Marjorie,' he said. +</P> + +<P> +Marjorie looked at him, and noted the dulness of his eyes and the +obstinate lines round his mouth. +</P> + +<P> +'Neil, do, do go,' she said, clutching him by the arm. 'Come with me, +Neil, and don't be foolish.' +</P> + +<P> +'Are you ready, Neil?' said Allan, appearing inside the cave; 'the +schooner can't wait much longer.' +</P> + +<P> +Marjorie turned round in despair. +</P> + +<P> +'Oh, this will never do,' said Allan. 'Come along, Neil, there's a +good fellow, and don't keep them waiting.' +</P> + +<P> +Neil remained firm and Marjorie felt that it was hopeless. +</P> + +<P> +'Are you not for coming, Neil?' said Duncan, standing in the mouth of +the cave; 'ta captain says he iss in a hurry to be gone.' +</P> + +<P> +'Come, Neil,' said Rob MacLean persuasively, 'it will not pe meking +Mistress Macdonnell any better, puir soul, for you to be waiting here +with ta police, silly bodies, at your heels.' +</P> + +<P> +Neil came forward, Marjorie and Allan following him anxiously. +</P> + +<P> +'I will not pe going,' he said briefly. +</P> + +<P> +'Of all ta fulish gomerals!' burst out Duncan, and clenched his fists +and stormed in Gaelic to the lad, who remained unmoved. +</P> + +<P> +'That will be a ferry foolish thing, Neil; gang wi ta captain,' said +Bob soothingly. +</P> + +<P> +'Go on board, Neil; it isn't too late yet,' implored Allan. +</P> + +<P> +'Tide's on the turn,' shouted the gruff voice of the captain. 'Come if +you're coming, and if not, don't keep honest folks waiting.' +</P> + +<P> +Neil leaned against the cliff and looked stubbornly into vacancy. From +his attitude it was plain that he was inflexible. +</P> + +<P> +'Yo-ho!' sang out the sailors; 'heave-ho!' and the sails of the little +vessel slowly filled as her bows swung round to the sea. +</P> + +<P> +Marjorie made a bolt towards the cliff, and began to climb. +</P> + +<P> +On the top she turned and looked at Allan, whose face was as white as +her own. +</P> + +<P> +'Can't be helped,' he said in a hard voice. 'Some ass went and told +him that Mrs. Macdonnell was worse.' +</P> + +<P> +'Hullo,' called out Reggie as they came within hearing, 'is he gone?' +</P> + +<P> +'Gone!' echoed the others, and Marjorie sank down on the heather and +gasped. +</P> + +<P> +When she looked up the boys were sitting beside her. +</P> + +<P> +'Well?' began Reggie sympathetically. +</P> + +<P> +'He wouldn't go,' said Allan; 'we did all we could. Duncan and Rob are +still storming at him down there.' +</P> + +<P> +There was nothing to be said, and they all sat and reflected. +</P> + +<P> +'The worst of it is,' said Marjorie in a trembling tearless voice, +'that in spite of our Compact and everything else, we haven't been able +to do him a bit of good!' +</P> + +<P> +The others assented by their silence. +</P> + +<P> +'And I don't believe we ever shall,' continued Marjorie, 'we don't seem +to have set about it the right way, somehow.' +</P> + +<P> +The boys looked so downcast that Marjorie judged it inadvisable to +pursue the subject further and they mounted their ponies and rode +slowly in the direction of Ardnavoir. +</P> + +<P> +Half-way down the hill they discovered Tricksy sitting on a clump of +heather, with Hamish beside her and Laddie curled at her feet. +</P> + +<P> +'You are nice, kind people,' said Tricksy reproachfully, 'going away +like that and leaving me all alone!' +</P> + +<P> +'Why, Tricksy,' began Marjorie, 'why didn't you go with the others?' +</P> + +<P> +'Go with the others!' echoed Tricksy, 'do you think I could run up the +hill as they did? If it hadn't been for Hamish I shouldn't have seen +anything. Then leaving me all alone too.' +</P> + +<P> +'But, Tricksy, where are Harry and Gerald?' +</P> + +<P> +'I don't know, I'm sure. Gone off somewhere by themselves, and I came +to meet you with Hamish. I think you might have let me come with you.' +</P> + +<P> +'Don't be a little silly, Tricksy,' said Reggie irritably; 'you are too +little to go all that distance.' +</P> + +<P> +'Too little!' cried Tricksy, exasperated; 'I'm not too little to be +sent messages for the others, and I'm not too little to dig in the +garden and carry stones for the Pirates' Den; I'm only too little when +it's a jolly piece of fun that you want to keep to yourselves. Oh, +Laddie, dear,' to the dog who had jumped up and was licking her face, +'you are the only nice ones, you and Hamish'—and she threw her arms +round the collie's neck to hide a tear. 'Don't lick my face though,' +she added, with a change of manner that forced a laugh even from the +tired and weary adventurers. +</P> + +<P> +'You haven't shown them what you found, Tricksy,' said Hamish. +</P> + +<P> +'No,' said Tricksy, 'neither I have,' and she fumbled in her pocket and +drew out a crumpled paper which she gave to Allan. +</P> + +<P> +Her brother looked at it. +</P> + +<P> +'What's this?' he said. 'I don't understand.' +</P> + +<P> +'Look at the number, Allan, and the date,' said Hamish. +</P> + +<P> +Allan examined the paper; then flushed to the ears. +</P> + +<P> +'Tricksy, you little owl,' he burst out; 'to think of you going on +about your potty little feelings and wounded dignity and all that when +you had <I>this</I> to show us.' +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap10"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER X +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +IN WHICH ALLAN IS VERY WISE +</H4> + +<P> +'I—I—I didn't know,' stammered poor Tricksy. +</P> + +<P> +'What is it?' cried the others, pressing round to look. +</P> + +<P> +'It's one of the orders that were stolen,' said Allan. +</P> + +<P> +'Tell them where you found it, Tricksy,' said Hamish. +</P> + +<P> +'It was in the box-room, where the spare coats and the fishing baskets +are kept,' said Tricksy. 'I went to see if Reggie's knife was in the +pocket of his old great-coat, and when I pulled it off the shelf this +fluttered down.' +</P> + +<P> +'Well,' said Allan, while the others were dumb with astonishment, 'this +beats me altogether. It wasn't <I>we</I> who were the thieves!' +</P> + +<P> +Every one looked at the order, and turned it round, and examined the +back of it, but there was no clue to the mystery. +</P> + +<P> +'Let's go and have a thorough search of the box-room,' said Marjorie; +'who knows what we may bring to light.' +</P> + +<P> +'Take my pony, Tricksy,' said Reggie considerately. 'Those who haven't +ponies will have to walk. Don't begin the search until we are all +there!' +</P> + +<P> +When the walkers reached Ardnavoir they found the others standing guard +at the door of the box-room. +</P> + +<P> +'Now!' said Marjorie, throwing open the door; and they all burst in. +</P> + +<P> +All the garments were taken down from the shelves and unfolded and +shaken, but nothing was to be found. Every pocket was turned out; but +the contents were only pebbles, and bits of string, and pieces of dried +seaweed. +</P> + +<P> +All the fishing baskets were opened and peeped into, and turned upside +down and shaken, but without result. +</P> + +<P> +Afterwards they pulled out the boxes that were ranged against the wall, +and looked behind them, but no postal orders were found. +</P> + +<P> +'This box is unfastened,' cried Tricksy; 'let's look inside it.' +</P> + +<P> +'Do you think we should do that,' demurred Hamish; 'Mrs. Stewart might +object.' +</P> + +<P> +'Can't stop to think of that in a case of necessity,' replied Reggie, +and Marjorie's hands were soon in the trunk. +</P> + +<P> +Furs smelling strongly of camphor, some old chair covers, then a +quantity of frocks and boys' suits grown too small, and a layer of +boots at the bottom. +</P> + +<P> +'Nothing there,' said Marjorie, cramming the things into the box again. +</P> + +<P> +'These other trunks are all locked,' said Reggie, trying them one after +the other. +</P> + +<P> +'They'll have to be opened when the police come,' observed Hamish. +</P> + +<P> +Marjorie and Allan looked at each other. +</P> + +<P> +'Do you think we ought to bring the police back at this time?' asked +Marjorie in an undertone. +</P> + +<P> +Allan sat down on a box, and the others all followed his example. +</P> + +<P> +'We've got to consider what's to be done about this discovery,' began +Allan. 'The first question is, have you showed the order to Pater or +Mother already, Hamish?' +</P> + +<P> +'Not yet,' said Hamish. +</P> + +<P> +'Well, then,' said Allan, 'we've got to make up our minds whether we'd +better do it or not.' +</P> + +<P> +Hamish looked astonished. +</P> + +<P> +'I don't see how there can be any doubt about that,' he began. 'Surely +it's the very first——' +</P> + +<P> +Marjorie, Allan, and Reggie were all looking at each other. +</P> + +<P> +'We couldn't possibly keep back evidence like this,' pursued Hamish. +</P> + +<P> +Marjorie's and Reggie's eyes were saying 'Don't tell them.' +</P> + +<P> +Allan pushed his hair back from his forehead, thrust his hands into his +pockets, and then turned to Hamish again. +</P> + +<P> +'We've got to think of a lot of things in an affair like this,' he +said. 'For instance——' +</P> + +<P> +'It seems to me there's only one way of looking at it,' replied Hamish, +his slow voice becoming steadier. 'You've got an important piece of +evidence which may prove the turning-point of the case, and you don't +even tell your father and mother.' +</P> + +<P> +'<I>I</I> think Hamish is in the right,' broke in Tricksy's little voice. +</P> + +<P> +A glance from Reggie caused her to quail and Allan turned upon Hamish. +</P> + +<P> +'Now, Hamish, old fellow, don't you jolly well make an ass of yourself. +We find ourselves in this predic.; either we've got to shut up about +this valuable find, or have the police poking about the island when +they're not wanted.' +</P> + +<P> +'We've all three voted against you, so you are in a minority, Hamish,' +broke in Marjorie, her voice sharp with vexation. +</P> + +<P> +Hamish became very red, and looked at them steadily. +</P> + +<P> +'I can't act contrary to the wishes of the majority,' he said, since +we've made a Compact; but I wish to say that I think you are making a +great mistake and that I think we shall all have cause to regret what +you are doing.' +</P> + +<P> +There was no reply since none could be made, and the meeting closed in +an uncomfortable silence. +</P> + +<P> +'Tear, tear,' they heard Duncan's voice saying in irritable tones +outside the door; 'what will hev become of ahl ta young ladies and +gentlemen? They will ahl pe away just at ta ferry time when they will +be wanted. They will pe after some nonsense. I will ahlways pe the +mosst afraid when they are ferry quiet when Mr. Allan will pe with +them. He iss so sensible and wiselike, iss Mr. Allan, that when he +finds mischiefs for them to do they will ahlways pe the ferry worst +kinds of mischief, whateffer.' +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap11"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XI +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +A NEAR SHAVE +</H4> + +<P> +They all trooped out, and followed Duncan's retreating figure. +</P> + +<P> +'Here we are, Duncan, what do you want us for?' +</P> + +<P> +'Tear me, young ladies and gentlemen,' said Duncan, 'we will hev peen +looking for you ahl over the house and grounds. The Sheriff iss here +from Stornwell and the minister iss come to call, and the laird says as +it iss such a ferry fine day he iss going to take effery one out for a +sail in the yacht, and Dr. and Mrs. MacGregor iss come, and we are to +hev lunch on board and go over to Alvasay, and afterwards if there iss +time we will pe stopping at the Corrachin Caves, for Mr. Graham says he +will pe liking to explore them; and here we will ahl pe waiting for +you, young ladies and chentlemen.' +</P> + +<P> +Marjorie's lips tightened. +</P> + +<P> +'Look here, Duncan,' she said, after Hamish, followed consolingly by +Tricksy, had passed out of hearing, 'we must make them too late for the +caves.' +</P> + +<P> +'Indeed, Miss Marjorie, we will hev to keep them out whateffer,' said +Duncan, 'Mr. Graham's eyes will pe ferry sharp, he iss as bad as Mr. +Harry, who is notticing efferything. But there iss ta laird, Miss +Marjorie, he will pe calling to me to come with ta lunch baskets, I +will hev to go.' +</P> + +<P> +The hall was a scene of animation. The Sheriff was standing talking to +Mrs. MacGregor and receiving defiant glances from Tricksy; the +minister, an elderly man with white hair and stooping shoulders, stood +somewhat apart; the other gentlemen were collecting rugs and fishing +tackle, and Harry and Gerald were jumping about, asking questions and +getting in every one's way. +</P> + +<P> +'Rob MacLean has come to say that the <I>Kelpie</I> iss all ready, sir,' +said Duncan, who among his other avocations sailed his master's yacht. +</P> + +<P> +'Don't let us wait any longer then,' said the laird; 'we shall not have +time to visit the caves this evening if we miss the tide.' +</P> + +<P> +Two trips of the <I>Mermaid</I>—the Craft only when her young owners were +by themselves—conveyed the entire party on board the <I>Kelpie</I>, whose +crew, consisting of Rob MacLean and another crofter, were in readiness. +</P> + +<P> +'We must manage not to go to the caves, Rob,' said Marjorie as she +passed. +</P> + +<P> +'Aye, Miss Marjorie, she will not pe going to the caves to-day,' said +the Highlander grimly. +</P> + +<P> +It was a glorious day for a sail, and the young people's spirits rose +in spite of themselves. There was enough wind to fill out the sails +and make the vessel skim swiftly over the water, but not enough to make +any one in the least uncomfortable, and the waves were dancing in the +sunlight. +</P> + +<P> +'Do you see that island over there?' said Marjorie to Harry, who was +looking about him with sparkling eyes; 'that high one beyond all the +little skerries? That's where we're going; it's an awfully jolly +place, there's a fine loch with sea trout in it and a capital beach.' +</P> + +<P> +Harry looked at the island, and then at the water tumbling and foaming +in the vessel's wake; and then he began to look about for some more +active occupation. The ladies were talking to their guests and +pointing out the interesting places as they passed, and Gerald and +Tricksy were sitting soberly in a corner by themselves. Mr. Stewart +and Dr. MacGregor were busy with the sailing of the vessel, which +seemed to require a great deal of management at this stage; and Harry's +soul became filled with envy as he saw the other boys helping them +dexterously as though they had passed their lives on board a ship. +</P> + +<P> +Seeing Reggie perched half-way up the mast, helping to shake out a +sail, Harry tried to scramble up after him, but Hamish ordered him down. +</P> + +<P> +Harry turned and looked up with an indignant stare. +</P> + +<P> +The elder boy, who seemed almost grown-up in his yachting suit, met the +look with his usual good-natured smile, but did not seem disposed to be +trifled with. +</P> + +<P> +'You had better begin when the vessel's steady,' he said; 'it would +never do to fall overboard while she's going along at this rate.' +</P> + +<P> +'Why,' said Harry; 'couldn't you lower a boat?' +</P> + +<P> +'It would not do you much good,' said Hamish. 'The current's flowing +pretty rapidly one way, and the wind's driving us along at a fair speed +in exactly the opposite direction; you might be carried miles out into +the open before we could get a boat out.' +</P> + +<P> +Harry went to the side and looked down at the water that was eddying +past. +</P> + +<P> +'It wouldn't be at all nice to fall overboard here, would it?' said +Marjorie, who seemed to be blown along the deck, her hair flying in the +wind. 'It will soon be over now, and see how near the island has been +getting; we'll be there in no time.' +</P> + +<P> +She hurried off to help in the coiling of the ropes, and in about +half-an-hour the <I>Kelpie</I> was brought alongside the rude stone pier of +Alvasay. +</P> + +<P> +First came a walk to a wonderful rocky fiord, where the stones that +were thrown down rebounded from side to side, and finally landed with a +dull thud in some stagnant-looking water at the bottom. Afterwards, +the day being hot, boys and girls scattered for a bathe. +</P> + +<P> +'I can swim twice across the school swimming-bath,' said Harry, picking +his way barefoot over the rocks and shivering a little, for although +the sun was hot, the wind seemed cold when one had nothing on. +</P> + +<P> +'You'll find it a bit rough with these waves against you,' said Reggie +briefly. +</P> + +<P> +'Far jollier,' said Harry, looking at the pebbles underneath the bright +waves and the masses of seaweed swaying to and fro—'ugh, it is cold +though!' +</P> + +<P> +When his splash had subsided he saw the island boys swimming far ahead +of him. In a little while he began to feel tired, and the waves seemed +to be growing bigger and bigger, and stronger and stronger. When he +was able to see over their crests he could make out the other two +sitting upon a rock which raised its head out of the water, and waiting +for him. +</P> + +<P> +After considerable efforts he reached the islet, grasped a point of +rock, and drew himself on to dry land. +</P> + +<P> +The others looked at him approvingly. Gerald was still splashing in +shallow water near the shore. +</P> + +<P> +'Good for you,' said Reggie; 'it's a pretty stiff sea for a fellow who +has only practised in a swimming-bath.' +</P> + +<P> +Harry did not look quite pleased. +</P> + +<P> +'I say,' began Allan, 'look at Gerald, he's actually trying to come out +to us. He is a plucky little chap.' +</P> + +<P> +'That he is,' said Hamish. 'I'll swim back and see if I can help him.' +</P> + +<P> +He dropped into the water and swam to meet Gerald, who was struggling +gallantly along, making very wry faces, and swallowing quantities of +water. With the bigger boy swimming by his side and occasionally +helping him Gerald got along fairly well, and in a little while +clambered on to the rocks, looking exceedingly happy. +</P> + +<P> +Diving from steep places and swimming until they were tired, then +getting out and sunning themselves on the warm rocks or sand of the +little islets, running races and pushing each other into the water, the +time passed quickly, and they were all surprised when Duncan came in +view signalling that tea was ready. +</P> + +<P> +They had been in the water long enough, for their teeth were chattering +and they could hardly get into their clothes for trembling. +</P> + +<P> +'I say,' began Harry with chattering teeth, 'you fellows ought to learn +to tread water and to swim on the side. They teach these things at the +swimming-baths. The ordinary kind of swimming does well enough in a +place like this——' +</P> + +<P> +'It's the best way of getting along, I should say,' suggested Reggie. +</P> + +<P> +'Yes,' said Harry rather contemptuously; 'getting along is all very +well; but when you're swimming where a lot of people see you, you like +to be able to do the fancy strokes. You need to have lessons for these +things though.' +</P> + +<P> +Reggie's dark, serious eyes exchanged a glance with Allan's amused ones. +</P> + +<P> +'Good thing Marjorie isn't here,' observed Allan in an aside; and the +other boys grinned as they thought of the way in which Marjorie always +had a reply ready for Harry when he was caught boasting. +</P> + +<P> +'What's that?' said Harry, his head popping out of the opening of his +shirt. +</P> + +<P> +Allan was saved from the necessity of replying by the reappearance of +Duncan, to say that 'The young gentlemen wass to please mek haste and +come at once, as effery one wass waiting for them.' +</P> + +<P> +During the walk from the bathing-place Allan was very silent, and all +tea-time he watched Reggie and Harry thoughtfully, and was evidently +revolving something in his mind. +</P> + +<P> +After tea he took an opportunity of saying to Marjorie, 'Now, Marjorie, +remember that we've got to make the <I>Kelpie</I> late.' +</P> + +<P> +'I'll try to get lost,' said Marjorie. 'I hope they won't go off +without me though. You'd better lose yourself too, with one or two of +the others; and they'll notice if so many are absent.' +</P> + +<P> +'I'll do my best,' said Allan. 'I think we'll manage to keep them back +an hour or so. You might come this way, Reggie, will you?' +</P> + +<P> +Allan walked for some distance in silence, and Reggie began to wonder +what was coming. +</P> + +<P> +'Reggie,' began Allan, rather absently, 'have you been thinking that +you're going to school next term?' +</P> + +<P> +'Yes,' answered Reggie, wondering what this was going to lead to. +</P> + +<P> +'Well,' resumed Allan, 'you'll need to have some fights, you know, +almost as soon as you get there.' +</P> + +<P> +'I suppose so,' said Reggie. +</P> + +<P> +'I mean,' said Allan, 'even supposing that no one challenges you, +you'll have to fight some of the fellows at the very commencement, +don't you see, just to show that you're not the sort to be put upon.' +</P> + +<P> +Reggie listened attentively, but said nothing. +</P> + +<P> +'You haven't had much opportunity of practising yet, of course, and it +won't do, if you want to make a position for yourself in the school, +just to begin upon some of the new fellows, kids of your own size or a +little bigger; any one can do that. What you want is to challenge some +of the older fellows at the very beginning, and then, no one will try +humbugging you, as they do with the new fellows.' +</P> + +<P> +Reggie looked doubtful. The idea of making a position for himself was +tempting, but if it was only to be carried into effect by fighting +bigger boys he felt that the result might be failure. +</P> + +<P> +'What you want is practice,' resumed Allan. 'Now it's no use your +trying to fight me—I'm much too big and strong for you; nor Hamish, +for he's far too good-natured and would never hit out at you enough; so +it's awfully lucky we've got Harry here just now—he's just the very +fellow.' +</P> + +<P> +Reggie looked up in perplexity. +</P> + +<P> +'But how can I fight Harry?' he said; 'I've never quarrelled with him.' +</P> + +<P> +'You young duffer,' said Allan, 'you don't need to fight about anything +in particular. It's only for practice. Then we've got to make the +yacht late, you know, and this is no end of a good opportunity, as we +can't be expected to stay where the grown-ups are likely to find us +when we've got a fight on hand. Here's a nice quiet place, just behind +these rocks, and there's Harry wading in that pool; you can just fight +him at once, or I'll punch both your heads for you. Hullo, Harry! +Come along! Reggie wants to fight you. Now, go it, you two, and I'll +be umpire;' and before the younger boys knew what they were about they +were sparring at each other like a couple of angry cocks. +</P> + +<P> +'Straight, Reggie, you young duffer,' said Allan, settling himself to +give professional advice. 'Give it to him from the shoulder.' +</P> + +<P> +'I say, what's the row?' asked Hamish, who came strolling down to the +scene; 'so these two have come to loggerheads, have they?' +</P> + +<P> +'Not they,' replied Allan carelessly; 'it's only practice.' +</P> + +<P> +Marjorie's curly head rose above a rock behind which she had been lying +<I>perdu</I>; and when she saw what was going on she jumped up and scrambled +to the other side. +</P> + +<P> +'Whatever is the matter?' she cried. 'Can't you make them stop, Allan?' +</P> + +<P> +'Practice-fight,' replied Allan; 'don't call out, Marjorie; you'll +distract their attention.' +</P> + +<P> +Reggie, unused to fighting, soon began to have the worst of it, but he +struggled manfully until a well-planted blow from Harry knocked the +breath out of him. +</P> + +<P> +'That's enough for a beginning,' said Allan. 'You've done not so +badly, Reggie, for the first time, and you'll get into it all right by +practice.' +</P> + +<P> +'But what did he go at me for?' cried Harry, with a blank expression of +countenance. 'I didn't do anything to him.' +</P> + +<P> +'Nobody said you did, you duffer,' replied Allan; 'Reggie only wants to +be able to fight the fellows at school; and you and he can have a go at +each other every day if you like.' +</P> + +<P> +'Dear me,' said Mr. Matthews the minister, coming towards the group +with a concerned face; 'I am sorry to see that some of you have been +quarrelling. Pray, what has been the subject of dispute?' +</P> + +<P> +'It's nothing,' said Allan, 'only practice. There's no quarrel at all.' +</P> + +<P> +'What's this? what's this?' broke in the somewhat rasping voice of the +Sheriff, who had followed Mr. Matthews, unobserved by the young people; +'it seems that half-a-dozen boys cannot be together without coming to +blows.' +</P> + +<P> +'They're not fighting seriously,' cried Marjorie; 'it's only fun.' +</P> + +<P> +Mr. Matthews was looking both grieved and puzzled. +</P> + +<P> +'Dear me,' he said, shaking his head, 'this is most distressing. To +fight when you have not any ground for quarrelling. Why did you not +endeavour to dissuade them, Miss Marjorie?' +</P> + +<P> +'It's all right,' said Marjorie. 'What would be the good of +interfering?' +</P> + +<P> +The Sheriff said nothing, but he was looking so grimly amused that +Marjorie added hastily, 'Why, it doesn't matter! Why shouldn't they +fight if it amuses them? When once you learn to understand boys you +know that it's no use being surprised at anything they do!' +</P> + +<P> +'Allan! Reggie!' Mr. Stewart's voice was calling somewhat +impatiently. 'Go and look for the young ladies and gentlemen, Duncan; +quick, don't lose time, we're late already.' +</P> + +<P> +'Tear me,' observed Duncan, looking at Harry's and Reggie's somewhat +battered faces as they passed; 'so there hass peen a fight between you +two young gentlemen, and Mr. Allan hass been helping you. I wass +thinking from Mr. Allan's looks these last days tat there would pe some +mischief pefore ferry long! It iss ahl right, Miss Marjorie, it iss +ahl right,' he said soothingly, in response to her glance; 'we hev made +the <I>Kelpie</I> an hour and a quarter late, whateffer. That iss ferry +good, although Rob says he will pe thinking it iss a pity that the sea +will not pe going to pe at ahl rough.' +</P> + +<P> +There was only enough breeze to fill the sails as the <I>Kelpie</I> glided +gently towards the island of Erricha. The gulls sat balancing +themselves on the smooth swell of the waves; and as the vessel passed a +low rocky islet a number of seals flopped into the water and swam in +her wake. +</P> + +<P> +'It's awfully nice,' observed Gerald, his blue eyes shining with +enjoyment. +</P> + +<P> +'Yes,' replied Tricksy; 'we've had an awfully jolly day, but I've been +thinking, that all this time we've been doing nothing for Neil. We +ought to, you know, as we've made a compact.' +</P> + +<P> +Allan produced a bit of stick and began whittling it. +</P> + +<P> +'It would be nice if we could begin now,' observed Gerald. +</P> + +<P> +'It's all very well,' said Harry disgustedly, 'but there seems to be +nothing to do.' +</P> + +<P> +'I heard the Sheriff saying to Mother that the gipsies had come back +again,' said Tricksy. +</P> + +<P> +Reggie's dark eyes looked at Allan, who stopped his whittling. +</P> + +<P> +'Look!' said Marjorie abruptly, 'we're just rounding the headland.' +</P> + +<P> +The Grahams wondered at the sudden silence which fell upon the group. +</P> + +<P> +'We'll tack shore wards, Duncan,' announced Mr. Stewart. We would like +to spend an hour or two at the caves.' +</P> + +<P> +'Aye, aye, sir,' replied Duncan stiffly. +</P> + +<P> +Allan and Reggie began to look intent. +</P> + +<P> +'There's Rob coming forward,' said Marjorie softly. +</P> + +<P> +The Highlander touched his cap respectfully. +</P> + +<P> +'I do not think we can pe landing at ta Corrachin Caves to-night, sir,' +he said civilly but firmly; 'ta wind iss north-west and ta current iss +running ferry strong, sir. We wass thinking it would pe too dangerous.' +</P> + +<P> +'Tut, tut,' said Mr. Stewart; 'we're not going to be so timid as all +that, Rob. Just think of some of the days when we have landed, man.' +</P> + +<P> +'But Duncan and I was thinking that it wass a ferry tangerous sea +to-day, sir, ferry tangerous indeed, and we will pe afraid for ta +ladies, sir, and for ta young ladies and gentlemen.' +</P> + +<P> +'Nonsense, man,' returned Mr. Stewart; 'call this a heavy sea? I never +saw a better sea in my life. Tell Duncan to put her head south-east by +south.' +</P> + +<P> +But Duncan had taken the helm, and the vessel lay unexpectedly against +the wind. +</P> + +<P> +'It iss ta cross currents, sir,' said Rob. 'Yo-ho there! Slack the +main-sheet!' and the boys were easing off the rope before they had +realised what they were about. +</P> + +<P> +The vessel gave a plunge or two and then steadied herself, Duncan +standing with a grim face at the wheel. +</P> + +<P> +'It iss ahl right now, sir,' said Rob composedly; 'but we cannot pe +teking her back to catch a wind tat will tek her to Corrachin after +this.' +</P> + +<P> +Dr. MacGregor was looking surprised. +</P> + +<P> +'I can't think what ails the men,' fumed Mr. Stewart. 'There is +nothing unusual in the appearance of the sea so far as I can make out, +and I ought to know as well as they can.' +</P> + +<P> +'Successful mutiny,' muttered Marjorie; and the boys grinned. +</P> + +<P> +Mr. Graham walked to the side and looked down at the water, but did not +take it upon himself to express an opinion. +</P> + +<P> +'It looks as though the fellows were keeping something back,' continued +Mr. Stewart. +</P> + +<P> +'Perhaps it's one of their Highland superstitions,' suggested Mrs. +Stewart. 'I wouldn't take any more notice if I were you.' +</P> + +<P> +Silence fell as the <I>Kelpie</I> glided past the caves. The vessel passed +near enough for those on board to look into the yawning hollows beneath +the overhanging cliffs, and to hear the thunder of the angry sea which +always beat upon that shore. +</P> + +<P> +Marjorie and the boys felt a lump rise in their throats as they thought +of the comrade driven to seek refuge in that desolate spot. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap12"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XII +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +SURROUNDED +</H4> + +<P> +'Twelfth of August,' said Allan; 'Pater's out on the moors with Mr. +Graham, slow day for us; suppose we take the boat and go fishing for +crabs!' +</P> + +<P> +'All right, let's,' said Marjorie; 'Harry's in a fidgety mood and will +be quarrelling with some one presently if he has nothing to do.' +</P> + +<P> +'I say, you fellows,' cried Allan, 'we're going crab fishing. Come +along and let's rummage out the lines, Reggie. We must be sure and get +enough for all. Tricksy, you might ask Duncan to put some provisions +in a basket for us, as we shan't be home for tea or supper. Let's +hurry up or we'll lose the best of the afternoon.' +</P> + +<P> +The various belongings having been collected, the boys and girls +trooped down to the cove and began loosening the Craft. +</P> + +<P> +Laddie and Carlo, who had followed uninvited, came and stood by the +boat, pricking up their ears. +</P> + +<P> +'Can't take you, Laddie,' said Allan; 'we're going a long way and +there's no room for you in the boat.' +</P> + +<P> +Laddie smiled an intelligent dog smile and wagged his tail as though to +say, 'I'll wait and see whether you won't change your mind, young sir.' +</P> + +<P> +'Come now, a good shove all together,' said Allan; and the boat ran +down to the water. +</P> + +<P> +'All right; chuck in the things, Reggie; and now, girls, will you take +your places.' +</P> + +<P> +They all seated themselves and the Craft was pushed off. +</P> + +<P> +'Go home, Laddie,' called out Reggie to the two dogs, who were standing +side by side on the shore, looking pitifully disappointed. +</P> + +<P> +The dogs remained looking after the boat for a minute or two; then they +gave each other a resigned glance and turned tail and trotted off, +having evidently made up their minds to seek consolation in some other +form of amusement. +</P> + +<P> +The boat was rowed to where a bottom of weedy stones showed through the +water, then Allan began to explain to his guests the method of fishing. +</P> + +<P> +'You see this weight on the end of the line,' he said, 'and there's a +bit of scarlet cloth attached; well, you let down the line to the +stones and then draw it up again like this, and keep doing so until the +crabs come out to see what's the matter; then you dance it up and down +in front of them until they get into a rage, and catch hold of it; then +you draw it up on board and the silly asses are too angry to let go and +you catch them, don't you see?' +</P> + +<P> +'Jolly fun,' said Harry, and a smile overspread Gerald's features. 'I +suppose you get a lot of them that way?' +</P> + +<P> +'Yes,' said Marjorie, 'but don't jump about so, Harry; you're making +the boat bob from side to side.' +</P> + +<P> +Harry muttered something and drew back into the boat. All the lines +were flung out, and every now and again an irate crab was drawn up, +clinging obstinately to the string. +</P> + +<P> +The sport proved most absorbing, but after a little, Tricksy happening +to look towards the shore drew Marjorie's attention to two figures +standing on the hillside. +</P> + +<P> +'What's the matter, Marjorie?' said Reggie, as the girl changed colour. +</P> + +<P> +Following the direction of her eyes his attitude stiffened, and Allan +and Hamish looked to see what was the matter. +</P> + +<P> +'It's Gibbie MacKerrach,' said Reggie, 'and he's talking to Andrew +MacPeters.' +</P> + +<P> +The combination had an ominous sound, and they all looked extremely +concerned. +</P> + +<P> +'What's the matter?' asked Harry. +</P> + +<P> +'It's that gipsy lad who used to like Neil so much,' said Allan; 'the +other is the fellow who we suspect may have been the thief. It's to be +hoped that he is not making Gibbie tell him things that will do harm to +Neil.' +</P> + +<P> +'Which one is the gipsy?' asked Harry. 'I heard father say that they +were camping on the moor not far from the Corrachin Caves.' +</P> + +<P> +Marjorie, Allan, and Reggie looked at each other with startled eyes. +Then Allan said, 'Pull away from here, will you, Reggie, and don't let +them see us if you can help it. It would be better that Andrew should +not know that we saw him with Gibbie.' +</P> + +<P> +'Now,' said Allan, after the boat had been rowed out of sight. 'We can +try some deep-sea fishing.' +</P> + +<P> +Reggie caught a small haddock which was divided among the party for +bait, and the lines were thrown out again. +</P> + +<P> +In a little while Reggie drew in a small cod, and a minute afterwards a +good-sized haddock was found to be on Harry's line. +</P> + +<P> +'Gently, Harry, gently, you'll get the line broken,' said Hamish +warningly as Harry sprang up and Gerald danced about in his seat, to +the great discomfort of Tricksy. +</P> + +<P> +'There you are!' cried Marjorie, as the fish was drawn leaping and +struggling into the boat. +</P> + +<P> +'Hullo!' said Harry triumphantly; 'it's a fine big one and no mistake!' +</P> + +<P> +'It's a good size,' said Marjorie, 'but, Harry, <I>would</I> you mind not +kicking my feet as you jump about.' +</P> + +<P> +Harry muttered an apology, and just at that moment Hamish drew in a big +cod, then two little haddocks were pulled up by Tricksy. +</P> + +<P> +'Gerald, look at your line,' cried Harry, springing forward, and Gerald +pulled in a haddock, while Allan and Hamish steadied the boat, which +had been set rocking by Harry's sudden movement. +</P> + +<P> +It was a beautiful evening, and the fish were taking well, but sport +was spoiled by the incapacity of the Grahams to keep still. If Harry +hooked a fish Gerald sprang up to look, and if any one else had a take +Harry pranced backwards and forwards until it was drawn on board. +</P> + +<P> +At last Hamish suggested that it was time to row to the Pirates' Island +and have tea in the Den. +</P> + +<P> +'Yes, I think so,' said Marjorie, somewhat irritably. 'I've had my +ankles tripped over quite often enough as it is.' +</P> + +<P> +'And I've been <I>trying</I> to keep my feet out of the way,' said Tricksy, +rather dolefully, 'but one has to put them somewhere, you know.' +</P> + +<P> +'Have you been so uncomfortable?' said Harry, looking round with serene +unconsciousness; 'Hamish's boots <I>are</I> rather big.' +</P> + +<P> +A smile travelled round the group as the lines were hastily wound up. +</P> + +<P> +'You'll feel better after tea,' said Hamish soothingly. +</P> + +<P> +The sun was already low when they landed, and Marjorie and Tricksy went +into the cottage at once to get tea ready while Reggie fetched peats, +and Allan and Hamish lingered behind to secure the Craft. +</P> + +<P> +The Grahams, finding themselves with no special duties, wandered +aimlessly about, getting into the way of the busy people. +</P> + +<P> +'We've had a jolly fine take, haven't we?' said Harry, sauntering up to +Reggie, who was busy at the peat-stack. +</P> + +<P> +'Not bad,' said Reggie briefly. 'Here, take an armful of these, will +you, and carry them into the house.' +</P> + +<P> +Harry carried in the peats and set them down by the fire-place, where +Marjorie was busy frying fish, while Tricksy was making bannocks at the +table. +</P> + +<P> +'I say, Marjorie,' began Harry, 'we've had fine sport, haven't we?' +</P> + +<P> +'Yes,' replied Marjorie absently. +</P> + +<P> +Harry looked at the two girls, who went on quietly and busily with +their work. +</P> + +<P> +'I caught as many as Allan, didn't I?' he began again. +</P> + +<P> +'I'm sure I don't know,' said Marjorie indifferently. She was tired +and the peat smoke was making her eyes smart, and it irritated her to +see Harry doing nothing. +</P> + +<P> +'But surely you kept count,' persisted Harry; 'I caught more than +Hamish, anyhow.' +</P> + +<P> +'I wasn't looking,' said Marjorie. 'If you caught more than Hamish +to-day it was more than you do when you go trout fishing. I wish you +would go away now, Harry, and not talk to me until tea is ready.' +</P> + +<P> +'Let her alone, Harry,' remonstrated Gerald, who had followed his +brother into the hut; but Harry was in a teasing mood and Marjorie's +reply had stung him. +</P> + +<P> +'Cross patch!' he muttered, giving her elbow a shove. +</P> + +<P> +Marjorie had not been prepared for the movement, which jerked some of +the fish into the fire. In an instant she turned round and pinned +Harry against the wall, while her eyes blazed. +</P> + +<P> +'Harry! you struck a lady!—Apologise!' +</P> + +<P> +'No, I won't,' muttered Harry, struggling to free himself. His arms +were held as in a vice. +</P> + +<P> +'Are you going to apologise for having hit a lady?' reiterated Marjorie. +</P> + +<P> +'No,' replied Harry, trying desperately to free himself, and becoming +aware that the other boys were nearing the door of the hut. +</P> + +<P> +The struggle was prolonged for a minute or two, and then, just as the +boys, to Harry's unspeakable confusion, were on the point of coming in, +Marjorie slowly relaxed her hold and let him go. +</P> + +<P> +Harry left the cottage, followed by Gerald, and seated himself on the +turf dyke with his chin resting on his hands. For a long time he gazed +blankly in front of him, and neither boy spoke. +</P> + +<P> +At last Harry began, 'I say, Gerald, do you think they saw?' +</P> + +<P> +'Yes,' answered Gerald; 'I'm afraid they did.' +</P> + +<P> +Harry dropped his chin on his hands again and reflected. +</P> + +<P> +'Do you think it was because of that that they didn't come in at +first?' he queried after awhile. +</P> + +<P> +'I think so,' said Gerald; 'they didn't want to have to interfere.' +</P> + +<P> +A long pause followed. Harry gazed seawards, absorbed in gloomy +reflections. +</P> + +<P> +'It was awfully stupid of you to go on teasing her,' said Gerald; 'any +one could have seen that she was going to lose her temper. She's so +strong too; always rowing and climbing, and doing things like a boy.' +</P> + +<P> +'Don't tell the boys at school,' said Harry, after a long time; then he +relapsed into silence again. +</P> + +<P> +Suddenly he pulled himself together, and jumped off the dyke just as +Marjorie was coming out of the hut. +</P> + +<P> +'Look here,' he began, planting himself in front of her, with a flush +rising to his face; 'I apologise! but it's because I shouldn't have hit +you and not because you held me.' +</P> + +<P> +'It's all right,' said Marjorie, who was sorry that she had lost her +temper; 'don't let's think of it any more but come and have tea.' +</P> + +<P> +The other boys tried to drown any lingering embarrassment by talking +very fast, and the meal became an animated, if not a merry one. +</P> + +<P> +'Hark,' said Reggie suddenly, 'what's that?' +</P> + +<P> +They all became silent and listened, Allan standing up. A deep rushing +noise was filling the cottage, and rapidly increasing in volume. +</P> + +<P> +'It's the tide-way,' said Reggie; 'we've forgotten to keep a look-out.' +</P> + +<P> +All trooped out of the cottage and looked at the angry current which +was sweeping past both shores of the island. +</P> + +<P> +'Here's a jolly go,' said Allan; 'we shan't get home to-night.' +</P> + +<P> +Tricksy looked frightened and Harry amazed, but Marjorie's face cleared +and she jumped up and clapped her hands with glee. +</P> + +<P> +'Oh, hooray, hooray,' she said; 'just what I always wanted. We'll have +to spend the night in the cottage. Oh, what fun!' +</P> + +<P> +'But won't Mrs. Stewart be frightened?' suggested Gerald, the +thoughtful boy. +</P> + +<P> +'Not she,' said Marjorie; 'she knows that we can take care of +ourselves; besides, Father and Mr. Stewart made us promise that if we +were surrounded by a tide-way we were not to try to come home, however +long we might have to wait. It would be quite impossible for us to row +across. We must make up our minds to spend the night here.' +</P> + +<P> +They remained out of doors a little longer, discussing the situation, +while the red turned to grey beyond the far-off islands; then they went +indoors to make preparations for the night. +</P> + +<P> +Fresh peats were cast on the fire, and the stores of cut heather were +brought out and laid on the floor to serve as beds. Marjorie lighted +the lamp which hung from the ceiling, and its smoky glare lighted up a +circle of eager, wakeful faces. +</P> + +<P> +The novelty of their surroundings, together with the voice of the +current, which was running deep and swift round their tiny strip of an +island, took from them all disposition to sleep during the early part +of the night. It was not until the lamp had burnt out, and Tricksy's +head had sunk heavily against Marjorie's knee that the rushing became +fainter and finally died away, and one by one the listeners dropped to +sleep upon their heather couches. +</P> + +<P> +It was about midnight when Marjorie awoke, aroused by a slight noise, +and the flames from the peats showed her Allan staring in front of him +with wakeful eyes, and listening. +</P> + +<P> +'What is it?' she asked. +</P> + +<P> +'Hush, don't wake the others. There it is again—now, hark.' +</P> + +<P> +Marjorie listened, and in the calm night she distinctly heard the +grating of oars in rowlocks and the sound of a boat's bows dividing the +water. +</P> + +<P> +'It's some one coming for us,' she said. +</P> + +<P> +'No, for they would have called out before they got so near.' +</P> + +<P> +Marjorie jumped into a sitting posture and her eyes gleamed. +</P> + +<P> +'What if it should be the smugglers?' she suggested. +</P> + +<P> +She was not frightened, only excited, for the situation promised some +adventure. +</P> + +<P> +'It's more likely to be Neil,' said Allan. 'He comes here sometimes. +Let's go out and see, but tread softly and don't disturb the +youngsters.' +</P> + +<P> +They threaded their way cautiously among the sleepers, shivering a +little with the chilliness of the air and with excitement, and stood +out of doors in the cool quiet night. +</P> + +<P> +'Crouch down, Marjorie, and keep behind the dyke,' said Allan. 'Let's +make certain that it <I>is</I> Neil before we show ourselves.' +</P> + +<P> +By this time the boat was close to the shore, and its occupant sprang +out. +</P> + +<P> +The cloudy moonlight showed the face and figure to be those of Neil. +</P> + +<P> +'Stand up, Marjorie; let him see it's a girl,' said Allan, 'and he'll +know that he's safe.' +</P> + +<P> +Marjorie stood up, and called 'Neil! Hist! Neil!' +</P> + +<P> +The figure turned round. +</P> + +<P> +'Who is that?' asked a voice in Gaelic. +</P> + +<P> +'It's Marjorie, Neil; and Allan.' +</P> + +<P> +Neil carefully secured the boat and came forward. +</P> + +<P> +'What are you doing here, Miss Marjorie, at this time of night? and +Allan too? Has anything happened?' +</P> + +<P> +'We're shipwrecked, Neil; or rather we've been cut off by the +tide-way,' said Marjorie. +</P> + +<P> +'The others are here,' said Allan, 'in the cottage; you're quite safe. +Come along.' +</P> + +<P> +They entered very softly, Neil dragging his limbs as though he were +fatigued. +</P> + +<P> +'What's the row?' inquired Reggie, opening his eyes. +</P> + +<P> +'Hush, don't wake the others,' said Marjorie; but already Harry had +stirred on his heather couch. +</P> + +<P> +'It's Neil,' said Allan, as the boy sprang up, wide awake. 'He's going +to stay here till morning.' +</P> + +<P> +'Neil?' repeated Harry. 'Oh, I say, what a lark. Gerald, wake up, you +lazy beggar, here's Neil at last—Neil, I tell you; get up,' and he +administered a shove to his sleeping brother. +</P> + +<P> +By this time all the inmates of the cottage were awake, Hamish being +the last to open a pair of bewildered, sleepy eyes. Room was made for +Neil at the fire, the smouldering peats were roused to life, and the +boys and girls clustered round, staring and asking questions, much too +excited to think of sleep. +</P> + +<P> +'How is your mother, Neil?' asked Tricksy, whose dark eyes looked +bigger and darker than ever between surprise and sleepiness. +</P> + +<P> +'She iss better, thank you, Miss Tricksy. I will have left her +sleeping quietly, and I will pe coming here so that I can be going back +early to see how she iss in the morning.' +</P> + +<P> +Then after a little hesitation he added, 'She has made me promise that +I'll go away now. Rob MacLean's boat goes to-morrow evening.' +</P> + +<P> +'Oh, what a sell!' exclaimed Harry, who had been sitting cross-legged +by his hero and looking up in his face with sparkling eyes. 'I mean,' +he added, somewhat confusedly, as he saw the faces of the others, 'I'm +sorry you have to go; it would have been such fun if you could have +stayed.' +</P> + +<P> +They conversed a little longer, but quietly, for the darkness and +silence which reigned outside their little shelter, and the monotonous +lapping of the waves made them drowsy; and one by one they dropped to +sleep. +</P> + +<P> +Marjorie was the first to awaken. The clear morning light was already +filling the hut, and the others were lying around and breathing heavily. +</P> + +<P> +She rose and went out of doors. +</P> + +<P> +The sun had not yet risen, but the clouds in the east were red. Some +gulls were rising languidly above the shimmering water. +</P> + +<P> +Marjorie stood looking about her for a minute or two; then she ran into +the cottage. +</P> + +<P> +'Allan,' she cried, 'wake up! There are some people standing on the +shore; your father and Mr. Graham and some others and Laddie is with +them. They are just going to launch the boat. Get up, quick; there's +no time to lose!' +</P> + +<P> +Neil was already on his feet, the events of the past few months having +taught him to keep on the alert; and the others had begun to open their +eyes and stretch themselves. +</P> + +<P> +'Hullo,' said Reggie, grasping the situation, 'boat coming over here; +that will never do.' +</P> + +<P> +'Hurry up,' said Allan, 'or they'll be across before you know where you +are.' +</P> + +<P> +'You had better wait until we've gone,' said Marjorie to Neil. 'Stay +in the cottage, or they may see you.' +</P> + +<P> +Hastily saying good-bye they ran down to the shore, but stopped short +in dismay. +</P> + +<P> +The boat was gone. +</P> + +<P> +'Comes of not having fastened her securely,'. said Allan; 'the current +has carried her away.' +</P> + +<P> +'What shall we do?' said Marjorie. 'We'll have every one coming to the +island. Hide Neil; let's pile all the heather on the top of him——' +</P> + +<P> +'What's the matter?' cried Neil from the hut. 'Why are you waiting?' +</P> + +<P> +'The boat's gone,' they cried. +</P> + +<P> +Neil came out. +</P> + +<P> +'Mine's still there, on the other side,' he said. 'Take her, and some +of you can come back for me.' +</P> + +<P> +'Oh, Neil, we couldn't do that! What if any one were to come in the +meanwhile?' +</P> + +<P> +'We must risk it. It will be better than bringing the whole boat-load +upon us. Quick, get in; they will be shoving down the boat.' +</P> + +<P> +In another minute they had pushed off, leaving Neil behind. +</P> + +<P> +When the boat left the island the figures on shore stood still and +waited; and half-way across Marjorie waved her handkerchief. +</P> + +<P> +'It's Father,' said Tricksy, 'with Mr. Graham and Duncan and a lot of +others; and there's Laddie jumping about and barking.' +</P> + +<P> +'Allan,' said Marjorie, touching his arm, 'there's Andrew MacPeters, do +you see him? standing behind the others.' +</P> + +<P> +The boat glided in beside the landing stones, while a row of anxious +faces watched and waited. +</P> + +<P> +'Down, Laddie,' said Mr. Stewart, as the collie rushed forward with a +joyful welcome. 'So there you are,' he said to the young people. 'You +are not cold, are you?' +</P> + +<P> +'We're all right, Father,' said Allan. 'We landed on that island +yesterday evening and we were surrounded by the tide-way so we could +not return. I hope Mother was not anxious. We thought you would +rather we stayed there than tried to cross when the current was +flowing.' +</P> + +<P> +'You were quite right not to try to get back under these +circumstances,' said Mr. Stewart gravely; and the young people knew +that he had been anxious, although he did not wish to blame them. +</P> + +<P> +Mr. Graham said nothing, but after his eyes had travelled over the +group, and he had, as Tricksy afterwards expressed it, 'counted his +boys,' he placed himself between them and set off in the direction of +Ardnavoir, still without speaking except to ask them whether they had +wet feet. +</P> + +<P> +Reggie, as the quickest runner, was sent on ahead to tell his mother +that they had returned, and a brisk walk brought them all to the house. +</P> + +<P> +'By the way,' said Mr. Stewart as the young people were refreshing +themselves with a good breakfast; 'what man was that who was with you +on the island?' +</P> + +<P> +A startled movement went round the group, and Allan looked at his +father without replying. +</P> + +<P> +'That man who helped you with the boat,' said Mr. Stewart; 'he stayed +behind after you left; who was he?' +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap13"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XIII +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +ANDREW MACPETERS +</H4> + +<P> +For a moment no one stirred; then Allan braced himself to meet the +difficulty. +</P> + +<P> +'I'm sorry, Father; but I can't tell you that,' he said. +</P> + +<P> +Mr. Stewart looked at him in astonishment. +</P> + +<P> +'You can't tell me? You mean you don't know?' +</P> + +<P> +Allan was silent. +</P> + +<P> +Mr. Stewart waited. +</P> + +<P> +Tricksy crept closer to Marjorie and trembled with dismay. +</P> + +<P> +'You associate with people that you cannot tell your parents about,' +said Mr. Stewart in great displeasure; 'and you allow him to associate +with your little sister and with Marjorie. I am sorry that I must +forbid the use of the boat until you tell me who was with you this +morning.' +</P> + +<P> +Allan waited with a white face until his father had left the room; then +he turned to the others. +</P> + +<P> +'No one is to let out who it was,' he said. 'You have all signed the +Compact, and any one breaking it will have me to reckon with.' +</P> + +<P> +Reggie's brown face wore an expression which showed that he, at least, +meant to be trustworthy; and Marjorie's lips set themselves firmly. +The Grahams, major and minor, had said little, but now Harry's eyes +sparkled, and Gerald flushed, as he always did when he was trying to be +brave. +</P> + +<P> +'But, Allan,' said Tricksy in a trembling voice, 'wouldn't it be better +to tell Father about it and ask him to let us have the boat for Neil? +We must get him away from the island, you know.' +</P> + +<P> +'Can't tell Pater, Tricksy,' replied Allan. 'It would be all right if +they hadn't made him a Justice of the Peace; that's some kind of a +judge, you know. He couldn't help any one like Neil; indeed I'm not +sure that he wouldn't have to telegraph for the Sheriff and let him +know that Neil is here, and it would be a dreadful thing for Father to +have to do that.' +</P> + +<P> +'Then how are we going to get Neil away from the Den,' said Tricksy. +'They'll find him if he stays there.' +</P> + +<P> +'Allan,' said Marjorie firmly, 'Hamish and I will go. We haven't been +forbidden the use of the boat.' +</P> + +<P> +'We'll go too,' said Harry. 'We aren't his children, and Mr. Stewart +didn't say anything to us.' +</P> + +<P> +'All right, Marjorie,' said Allan; 'you'd better all go, for Neil's old +boat is pretty heavy to get through the water. Quick, there isn't a +minute to lose.' +</P> + +<P> +Little was said as the old herring-boat was pushed off and manned, for +even Harry was feeling subdued. +</P> + +<P> +'It's all right, Neil,' said Marjorie as the boat landed and Neil +looked inquiringly for the others; 'they've been kept at home by their +father. We'll land you at the Skegness Cliffs as there's least chance +of being seen there.' +</P> + +<P> +The passage was accomplished without incident, but as Neil stood up to +spring ashore Hamish uttered an exclamation and pointed to the top of +the cliff. All looked up. A man was standing on the verge, and +looking down. +</P> + +<P> +'It's Andrew MacPeters again,' said Hamish. +</P> + +<P> +'Let's land somewhere else,' said Marjorie. +</P> + +<P> +'No use, Miss Marjorie,' said Neil. 'If he means ill by me he will +give the alarm; it will be better for me to be landing while there iss +still a chance. I'm not afraid if I only have him to deal with.' +</P> + +<P> +He stood up once more, then turned to the others. 'Remember,' he said, +'whatever happens, my mother iss to be told that I haf left the island. +Miss Marjorie, you promise?' +</P> + +<P> +'I promise,' answered Marjorie; then Neil sprang on shore and vanished +behind a mass of rock. +</P> + +<P> +For a minute or two they remained looking up at the cliff, but nothing +was to be seen of Andrew MacPeters; then they rowed slowly back to the +place where the Craft had been moored. +</P> + +<P> +'Well?' said Allan and Reggie, who met them half-way on the road to +Ardnavoir. +</P> + +<P> +The others gave a brief account of what had taken place. +</P> + +<P> +'Bad luck,' said Allan when they had described the encounter with +Andrew MacPeters. 'I'd back Neil against Andrew any day; he won't +interfere with Neil himself, but then the fellow's quite capable of +giving the alarm to the police.' +</P> + +<P> +They wandered disconsolately a little farther. +</P> + +<P> +'It seems horrid to have to give Mrs. Macdonnell that message,' said +Marjorie; 'but it will have to be done, I suppose, since we promised.' +</P> + +<P> +'Yes, Marjorie,' said Hamish, 'it will have to be done. It would be +enough to kill her if she knew that Neil was in danger.' +</P> + +<P> +Who was to be entrusted with the message? Every one looked at +Marjorie, who became red and looked unhappy as she realised what was +expected of her. +</P> + +<P> +'You will have to do it,' said Allan. +</P> + +<P> +'Me?' said Marjorie; 'no, you go, Allan.' +</P> + +<P> +'No,' said Allan decidedly; 'it's not the kind of thing for a fellow. +It needs a girl, so it will have to be you.' +</P> + +<P> +'Allan is quite right, Marjorie,' joined in Hamish; 'there is no one +but you who can do it. Mind you don't let her see that you are not +telling the truth.' +</P> + +<P> +Marjorie looked very distressed, but saw she must make up her mind. +</P> + +<P> +'Well, you come with me as far as the cottage,' she said; and the +entire party set off. +</P> + +<P> +Arrived at the gate, Allan threw it open, and Marjorie walked up the +path and disappeared inside the cottage. +</P> + +<P> +The others sat down on the heather and waited. +</P> + +<P> +A long time seemed to pass, and then Marjorie reappeared looking very +subdued. +</P> + +<P> +'All right, Marjorie?' inquired Allan. +</P> + +<P> +Marjorie nodded without speaking, and others judged it best to refrain +from asking questions. +</P> + +<P> +For some time they walked in silence, and then Tricksy quietly slipped +into the place next to Marjorie. +</P> + +<P> +After a while, finding that the boys were out of earshot. Tricksy +sidled closer, and ventured to ask Marjorie very gently how Mrs. +Macdonnell had received the message. +</P> + +<P> +'I—I—I—she was in bed,' said Marjorie, 'and I went to her, and it +was rather dark, and after I had asked how she was and all that, +I—I—I just told her. She never thought I was saying what wasn't +true, for she said "Thank God for that."' +</P> + +<P> +Marjorie ended with a little tearless sob, and neither of the girls +could find anything to say for a little while. +</P> + +<P> +When the boys came beside them again Tricksy walked on silently for a +little way, then she suddenly burst out— +</P> + +<P> +'I don't care, but what's the use of a Compact if we can't do anything +to help Neil? There he is, in great danger, and Mrs. Macdonnell may +hear of it any day, and if she does it will kill her; and we haven't +done anything that's of any use.' +</P> + +<P> +'What do you think we can do?' replied Reggie gruffly. +</P> + +<P> +'Why, bustle about until we find out who stole the letters. Here we +are, and we find little bits of paper which ought to tell us something +if we had any sense, but we don't get further. Seven of us and we +can't help poor Neil when he is in trouble.' +</P> + +<P> +Nobody seemed to have anything to say, and Tricksy burst out again— +</P> + +<P> +'You say you know who was the real thief?' +</P> + +<P> +'We think we do, Tricksy,' interposed Hamish; 'but we don't know for +certain.' +</P> + +<P> +'Then why don't we make sure?' +</P> + +<P> +'How would you do it, Tricksy?' asked Allan, while the others trudged +steadily onwards. +</P> + +<P> +'Why, watch him wherever he goes; and we'd soon find out where he kept +the papers if he had taken them.' +</P> + +<P> +There was no answer for a moment. +</P> + +<P> +Then Allan said gravely, 'That wouldn't be honourable, Tricksy. We +must play fair, you know.' +</P> + +<P> +'Honourable! Honourable to a thief!—But yes, of course we must. +Well, I don't know what's to be done then,' and Tricksy concluded by a +big sigh. +</P> + +<P> +When the coastguard station came in view a man was standing at the +gate, scanning the road with a telescope. Upon catching sight of the +young people he lowered the glass and came forward. +</P> + +<P> +'Euan Macdonnell,' said Reggie, quickening his pace; 'let's hear +whether he has any news.' +</P> + +<P> +'I was on the lookout for you, young ladies and gentlemen,' said Euan. +'We've just got a telephone message from the Corrachin lighthouse sent +by Rob MacLean. We were to tell you that Neil has reached the caves +and is safe for the meanwhile, and he supposes that you, young ladies +and gentlemen, have remembered the message to his mother.' +</P> + +<P> +'If only Andrew hasn't seen him,' said Marjorie after the first +exclamations of thankfulness. +</P> + +<P> +Euan looked grave as he heard how Andrew had witnessed the landing. +</P> + +<P> +'I don't trust that fellow for an instant,' he said. 'He would think +nothing of putting the police on the alert if he had a mind to. We can +only hope that he hasn't recognised Neil, or that Rob will find a way +of getting the poor lad out of the island before any harm comes.' +</P> + +<P> +When the young people had reached Ardnavoir, weary and discouraged, Mr. +Stewart was in the hall. 'I know who was with you this morning,' he +said abruptly. 'Was it by accident that you met?' +</P> + +<P> +'Yes,' said Allan. +</P> + +<P> +'Your boat was stranded on the Reachin Skerry,' went on Mr. Stewart, +'and the men have brought her home. You may have the use of her again.' +</P> + +<P> +'Thank you, Father,' said Allan. +</P> + +<P> +They all scanned Mr. Stewart's face to read, if possible, his +intentions regarding Neil; but nothing was to be gathered. +</P> + +<P> +'Isn't Father a dear?' said Tricksy, when they had wandered out to the +cricket-ground. 'He knows we couldn't betray our friend, not even for +him.' +</P> + +<P> +'Yes,' said Reggie; 'but the question is whether he will have to do +something himself, since he's a J.P.' +</P> + +<P> +The question was not answered that day, and during the next they were +still in ignorance. +</P> + +<P> +On the third day it was discovered that detectives were in the island +again, and Euan brought the news that every boat was watched both +coming and going. +</P> + +<P> +The days dragged on in suspense, and still Neil was in the caves. Rob +MacLean had a plan for conveying him away by night and landing him +somewhere on the coast of Scotland, from whence the lad was to tramp to +some large town and stow himself away on a vessel bound for America; +but the bright, full moon rendered any such attempts impossible for the +meanwhile. +</P> + +<P> +'Isn't it too bad?' broke out Marjorie one day; 'I think the law is +cruel if it forces Mr. Stewart to have Neil arrested. I wonder how he +could do it. He knows as well as we do that Neil isn't a thief.' +</P> + +<P> +'It wasn't Father,' said Allan. 'I happen know that he's lying low and +won't take any notice. All our people are bound together not to betray +Neil, but some one has been a traitor; they don't know who. Neil has a +secret enemy in the place.' +</P> + +<P> +They all thought they knew who this was, but no one could bring the +deed home to the culprit. All desire for fun and adventure seemed to +have left them, and the boys and girls wandered about disconsolately or +sat in groups talking about plans which they were unable to carry out; +or later, ceased to find anything at all to suggest. Even the dogs +seemed to know that something was the matter, for they would lie +quietly beside the children for hours, and sometimes Laddie would +thrust his nose into some one's hand and look up with his honest, +affectionate eyes full of sympathy. +</P> + +<P> +The weather became more broken, and sometimes all intercourse between +Ardnavoir and Corranmore was cut off during the greater part of a day. +</P> + +<P> +When the rain ceased, Andrew MacPeters, looking up from his work, would +find Reggie's dark eyes contemplating him as their owner sat astride +upon a dyke, or Allan considering him with hands in his pockets, and a +thoughtful countenance; or else it was the Grahams who regarded him +with a mixture of interest and aversion, or Tricksy with her great eyes +resting upon him with an expression of sorrow that any one could be so +dreadfully wicked. +</P> + +<P> +The lad would look up with a surly expression in his red-lidded eyes; +but watch as they might, they never detected in him any expression of +guilt or embarrassment. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap14"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XIV +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +CAUGHT +</H4> + +<P> +The evening had closed in heavy rain, and towards morning a gusty wind +arose, buffeting the walls of Corranmore and making wild noises in the +ruin. +</P> + +<P> +Marjorie awoke and sat up in bed. A moment's hearkening convinced her +that what the islanders most dreaded had become reality; a westerly +gale had arisen while Neil was still in the caves. +</P> + +<P> +She sprang to the window; and the grey light showed her an angry sea, +with the white horses leaping and hurrying towards the Corrachin +headland. +</P> + +<P> +The tide was rising, and was being driven eastward with terrific force +by the gale. +</P> + +<P> +Marjorie ran to her brother's room; but a glance showed her an empty +bed. +</P> + +<P> +'No time to lose,' said Marjorie to herself; 'perhaps he has gone to +warn Neil, and perhaps he hasn't; in any case I'd better go too.' +</P> + +<P> +She hurried on some clothing and ran out of doors. The wind had swept +the clouds towards the east, and an angry dawn was breaking above the +hills. Marjorie sped over the drenched grass and heather, the wind was +lifting her nearly off her feet, and blowing her frock in front of her +like a sail. There were more than three miles of rugged country +between Corranmore and the headland. It was a race between herself and +the tide; and the tide seemed to be gaining. +</P> + +<P> +Marjorie ran on and on. Neither Hamish nor any other living creature +was in sight. The sheep had left the moors and the gulls were taking +refuge inland. +</P> + +<P> +At last the headland came in view. A glance showed Marjorie that the +waves had not yet reached high-water mark. Mechanically she chose the +road by the shore. +</P> + +<P> +Now the wind was partly against her, and at times threatened to pin her +against the cliff; but Marjorie struggled forward. Soon the rocks were +frowning above her head, while the breakers were coming closer, rising +in solid walls which thundered as they fell. Showers of spray were +flung shoreward; and looking up at the wet glistening cliffs Marjorie +wondered whether foothold would be possible upon them, and what her +feelings would be were she to find herself caged between the cliffs and +the breakers. +</P> + +<P> +Yet she did not feel frightened, only excited. +</P> + +<P> +At the caves she had only time to make a dash before a huge breaker +fell; and some of the water swirled after her into the opening. +</P> + +<P> +'Neil!' she cried; 'Neil!' +</P> + +<P> +Neil was lying watching the flood quite calmly, as though it did not +concern him in the least. +</P> + +<P> +Catching sight of Marjorie he looked up in amazement; then sprang to +his feet. +</P> + +<P> +'Is Hamish here?' shouted Marjorie. +</P> + +<P> +Her voice was drowned in the thunder of waves and wind. +</P> + +<P> +Neil led her to a small chamber in the rocks, lighted from above, and +where the tumult was softened into a dull roar; and she repeated her +question. +</P> + +<P> +'No, Miss Marjorie, I hef not seen him,' answered Neil. Their voices +sounded strangely muffled, the force of the breakers making the walls +of the little cavern tremble. +</P> + +<P> +'Then, Neil, you must leave this at once; the caves will be flooded in +another minute, and I've come all this way to warn you.' +</P> + +<P> +'Did you, Miss Marjorie? Did you indeed? You came to warn me. No, +indeed; I cannot let you stay here.' +</P> + +<P> +'How are we to get out, Neil? I think the tide is at the foot of the +cliffs now?' +</P> + +<P> +As she spoke a stream of water broke in and ran along the floor of +their little shelter. +</P> + +<P> +'It iss too late to get out that way now, Miss Marjorie,' said Neil; +'and in any case it would be too slippery that the cliffs would be. I +will pe knowing an opening leading to the moor, where it's not +difficult to climb up. Come this way.' +</P> + +<P> +He helped her along the passages. Soon they were in total darkness. +The flood was gaining upon them, and the noise rendered it impossible +to exchange a word. Sometimes the water hissed and gurgled at their +heels, and sometimes they plunged ankle-deep into pools. +</P> + +<P> +They slipped and scrambled along, Marjorie clinging to her guide; and +presently a glimmer of light came from above. +</P> + +<P> +'Here we are, Miss Marjorie,' said Neil. 'If you could be managing to +climb up here we would come out on the moor.' +</P> + +<P> +The ascent was broken and dangerous, and was in some places only very +imperfectly lighted. Neil, with his sailor's training, swung himself +from point to point, sometimes drawing Marjorie up to a ledge, and +sometimes instructing her where to set her feet. At last the welcome +daylight burst upon them, and grasping the tufts of heather, they drew +themselves on to firm ground. +</P> + +<P> +'At last,' said Marjorie, throwing herself down on the heather, and +blinking in the sun. 'Now you can go to the lighthouse, Neil.' +</P> + +<P> +'Hullo,' said a voice; and Marjorie looked up to see the laird and Mr. +Graham, who had come all this way to watch the storm at the Corrachin +Caves, and were very much astonished at this sudden encounter. +</P> + +<P> +'Run, Neil,' gasped Marjorie; but Neil drew himself together. +</P> + +<P> +'It iss no use,' he said; 'they will be watching wherever I will go, +and I hev not a chance.' +</P> + +<P> +Then to Mr. Stewart he said, 'I am not for trying to escape. I know I +shall be taken. I'd rather give myself up to you than to any one else. +If you wass not to be letting my mother know it iss grateful to you I +will be, sir.' +</P> + +<P> +The laird looked greatly distressed. +</P> + +<P> +'Neil, my lad,' he said, 'I have no warrant for arresting you. It's +none of my business. You may go away if you like; I shall not try to +prevent you.' +</P> + +<P> +Neil shook his head. +</P> + +<P> +'It iss no use, sir,' he said; 'I would rather yield of my own accord +than be taken, and I have no chance of escaping now. I had nothing to +do with the theft of the letters, but it iss no matter. My mother hass +not long to live, and she need neffer know if things go against me. +Keep it from her if you can.' +</P> + +<P> +Marjorie stood by, white and trembling, and nearer to shedding tears +than she could have believed possible. +</P> + +<P> +'You can come with me for the present, Neil,' said the laird; 'we'll +see what can be done.' +</P> + +<P> +A pony cart was chartered from the nearest farmhouse. Marjorie got in +with the others and a sorrowful party set out across the moors. +</P> + +<P> +When they reached Ardnavoir, the ill news seemed to have preceded them, +for Reggie looked stormily from an upper window and then came into the +hall where Allan and the Grahams were already waiting, and Mrs. Stewart +came downstairs accompanied by Tricksy, whose eyes were very big and +dark with dismay. +</P> + +<P> +Neil dropped into the chair that was offered him, and leant his head on +his hand, while the others gathered silently around him. Allan and +Reggie were nearest, one on either side, and Reggie put his hand +protectingly on his friend's shoulder. In the background, Mr. Stewart +fidgeted with the things that had been carried in from the pony cart, +and Tricksy was silently shedding tears, poor little girl, leaning +against her mother. +</P> + +<P> +The only one who could think of anything to do was Laddie, who came in, +planted himself in front of Neil, and endeavoured to express his +sympathy by slipping his nose under the lad's disengaged hand. Almost +without knowing that he was doing it, Neil put out his hand and +caressed the dog's smooth head, and the two remained thus in a silent +understanding. +</P> + +<P> +Every one was feeling very miserable when there came a sound of wheels; +a gig drew up at the door, and several persons sprang down and burst +into the hall. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap15"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XV +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +HAMISH TO THE RESCUE +</H4> + +<P> +The storm which awakened Marjorie had also roused Hamish. He awoke to +hear the rain pouring down, and the burn rushing along in heavy spate. +</P> + +<P> +'Fine fishing, to-morrow,' said Hamish to himself, 'but, whew! how the +wind's rising. The rain can't last long at this rate.' +</P> + +<P> +He lay a little longer, listening to the rushing of the burn; then he +began to think of the people who might be without shelter that night; +Neil (who he hoped would take shelter in one of the cottages if the +gale continued) and the gipsies, and Gibbie MacKerrach. +</P> + +<P> +At the thought of Gibbie a sudden recollection came into his sleepy +brain. +</P> + +<P> +He remembered the lad's lair in the hills, above his father's house, +and that the wind had been blowing from that direction on the day when +a paper had been found fluttering in the ruins. +</P> + +<P> +Had no one ever connected the crazy lad with the robbery? +</P> + +<P> +The idea seemed fanciful, but still it would do no harm to go and +examine Gibbie's curious little cave on the hillside. +</P> + +<P> +Hamish thought he would set out at once, before daylight came and made +him feel how ridiculous it was to think of such a thing. +</P> + +<P> +The dawn was hardly making any headway through the clouds and the rain, +and Hamish pulled up the collar of his coat and pushed forward in the +darkness. +</P> + +<P> +As he toiled up the hill the wind was rising in angry squalls and after +awhile the rain ceased and a large break began to open in the clouds, +letting the grey light through. +</P> + +<P> +The burn, along whose banks Hamish was making his way, was coming down +tumultuously, bearing with it bits of stick, clods of earth, and other +rubbish. Once or twice Hamish fancied he saw a bit of white paper +whirl past, but it was carried down stream before he could reach it. +</P> + +<P> +At last he reached the hollow where Gibbie's little dwelling was +situated. Just above there was a little cascade, and the swollen +waters, coming down with a rush, overflowed their banks and flooded the +lair, sweeping out a quantity of straw mixed with scraps of paper. +</P> + +<P> +Hamish plunged into the stream and caught straw, papers and all in his +arms. +</P> + +<P> +A shout from the lair made him look round, and there stood Gibbie, +soaked with wet, and plastered with mud from head to foot. +</P> + +<P> +'You must not be touching these,' cried the lad; 'they're for Neil, all +for Neil!' +</P> + +<P> +'All right, Gibbie,' said Hamish tranquilly; 'you can give them to Neil +as soon as you like, I was only keeping them from being carried away.' +</P> + +<P> +'Who told you I had seen Neil?' asked the lad craftily; 'Andrew said I +was not to tell any one, and I'm not going to say he is here; only the +nice gorjo in dark blue clothes asked me and I told him.' +</P> + +<P> +'Ah, did you tell him?' said Hamish, speaking quietly, but trembling +between the fear of asking too much or too little; 'and when did you +see Mrs. MacAlister last?' +</P> + +<P> +A sly expression passed over the lad's face. +</P> + +<P> +'Me and Mrs. MacAlister not friends,' he said. 'Play her tricks.' +Suddenly he began to laugh. 'Played her a fine trick, though; she +never find out! Gibbie steal her letters when she and her husband had +gone out to see Neil home. Door left open, no one see Gibbie—clever +Gibbie!' +</P> + +<P> +'Wait, Gibbie,' interrupted Hamish; 'I'm going to fetch something for +you,' and he made off downhill with all speed. +</P> + +<P> +Dr. MacGregor was just driving home from a night visit to a patient +when his son dashed into the road, spattered with mud and with the +water squelching from his boots. +</P> + +<P> +'Father,' said Hamish, 'come with me; I've found out who robbed the +post-office,' and throwing the reins to his groom, the astonished +doctor was dragged all the way to the gipsy's burrow. +</P> + +<P> +'Hullo, Gibbie, you look cold,' said the doctor, taking in the +situation with great presence of mind; 'come with me and have a glass +of something hot.' +</P> + +<P> +Sitting by the fire in the nearest cottage, with a glass of steaming +toddy in his hand, Gibbie became communicative, and the doctor soon +drew from him the rest of the story. +</P> + +<P> +'Neil's a good lad,' said the gipsy. 'Neil knows how to behave to a +Romany chel; drives away bad boys when they laugh and throw stones. +Gibbie gave Neil a present; two presents; something out of the letters. +Neil will find it in his coat pocket some day. Papers worth a hundred +pound.' +</P> + +<P> +'All right, Gibbie,' said the doctor craftily; 'suppose we go and tell +Neil that you put them there. He may not have been able to find them +yet.' +</P> + +<P> +Dr. MacGregor's tired horse was withdrawn from its feed, and Hamish, +his father, and Gibbie set out for Ardnavoir. +</P> + +<P> +'Neil's cleared,' announced Hamish; and every one turned round to +encounter the strange-looking figure of the gipsy. +</P> + +<P> +Finding himself among so many people, Gibbie became suspicious and +refused to speak, but the faces of his companions rendered all +explanation unnecessary. +</P> + +<P> +'I am glad to say that your innocence is established beyond a doubt, +Neil,' said Dr. MacGregor beaming upon him; 'and I am glad to shake +hands with you.' +</P> + +<P> +'Oh, hooray, hooray,' shouted the boys. 'Neil, old boy, you're +cleared,' and they capered round him, patting him on the back and +cheering until the lad was quite bewildered. +</P> + +<P> +Laddie, after looking puzzled for a moment, burst into a joyous barking +and leaped up three times and turned round in the air; then ran to Neil +and jumped up again, trying to lick his face. An indescribable tumult +reigned, and Neil extricated himself with difficulty. +</P> + +<P> +'Excuse me,' he said; 'you are all ferry kind, but I must pe going and +telling my mother.' +</P> + +<P> +'Wait a bit, Neil,' said the doctor, laying a detaining hand upon the +lad's shoulder; 'not so suddenly, if you please; I will go with you and +prepare her,' and the two left the house together. +</P> + +<P> +'But Mrs. Macdonnell, Mummie,' said Tricksy, with a quivering lip, 'do +you—do you think she'll die?' +</P> + +<P> +'Not she,' said the laird, coming forward; 'happiness has never killed +any one yet, and a little of that is what Mrs. Macdonnell was wanting. +But where is the hero of the day; the one who found out what no one +else has been able to discover! We have not congratulated him yet.' +</P> + +<P> +'We do, we do,' they all cried; and they laid forcible hands upon +Hamish, who had retired into the background with a very red face, +carried him out of doors and chaired him triumphantly round the +courtyard. +</P> + +<P> +'But <I>Hamish</I>,' said Harry later in the day, his eyes bright with +astonishment; 'to think that after all it was Hamish who did it!' +</P> + +<P> +'Why not?' inquired Allan gruffly. +</P> + +<P> +'Why, he's such a quiet fellow, one never thinks of his doing anything. +If it had been you or me now, or Reggie, or even Marjorie (although +Marjorie's far too conceited for a girl); but Hamish!' +</P> + +<P> +Marjorie had caught some of the last words, and she turned upon the boy +like lightning. +</P> + +<P> +'Ever heard the fable of the Hare and the Tortoise?' she queried. 'If +not you'll find it in the Third Reading Book. Perhaps you're not as +far as that yet though.' +</P> + +<P> +Still Harry found the matter hard to understand, and during several +days, he was frequently to be observed sitting on dykes and +contemplating Hamish, who shared the honours of the time with Neil. +</P> + +<P> +'Only a few days now,' observed Tricksy regretfully, 'and there will be +an end of all the fun. Every one's going to school except me, and +there will be no boating or fishing or playing at pirates any more.' +</P> + +<P> +'What about next year, Tricksy?' said Marjorie. +</P> + +<P> +'Next year! Why, you'll be grown-up by then. Your mother said you +must be sent to school to learn to be less of a tomboy.' +</P> + +<P> +'I won't be less of a tomboy,' declared Marjorie. 'I'm going to fish, +and climb rocks and ride ponies bare-backed, and do all those kinds of +things until I'm ever so old. We'll have better fun than ever, now we +have Neil back again. I vote we make a Compact——' +</P> + +<P> +'We've made one already,' interposed Tricksy. +</P> + +<P> +'Well, a new one then. We'll call it a League;—the Adventure +League—and we'll promise to come back every year. Harry and Gerald +too, and we'll have the Pirates' Den for our house; and we'll never +bother about being grown-up until we're too old to get any fun out of +being tomboys any more.' +</P> + +<P> +'Agreed,' said the others. 'Neil, you shall be Captain of our League.' +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR><BR> + +<H5 ALIGN="center"> +PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN AT<BR> +THE PRESS OF THE PUBLISHERS.<BR> +</H5> + +<BR><BR><BR><BR> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventure League, by Hilda T. 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Skae + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Adventure League + +Author: Hilda T. Skae + +Release Date: November 28, 2009 [EBook #30554] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURE LEAGUE *** + + + + +Produced by Al Haines + + + + + + + + + +[Illustration: Cover art] + + + + + +[Frontispiece: 'There is something in the man's appearance which seems +familiar to me.' _page 139_] + + + + + +THE ADVENTURE LEAGUE + + +BY + +HILDA T. SKAE + + + + +THOMAS NELSON AND SONS, LTD. + +LONDON, EDINBURGH, NEW YORK + +TORONTO, AND PARIS + + + + +CONTENTS + +CHAP. + + I. WHAT HAPPENED IN ERRICHA + II. 'THE PIRATES' DEN' + III. A SURPRISE + IV. THE COMPACT + V. SUSPENSE + VI. A DISCOVERY + VII. THE SIEGE + VIII. A CRUISE IN THE 'HEROIC' + IX. DISAPPOINTMENT + X. IN WHICH ALLAN IS VERY WISE + XI. A NEAR SHAVE + XII. SURROUNDED + XIII. ANDREW MACPETERS + XIV. CAUGHT + XV. HAMISH TO THE RESCUE + + + +[Illustration: Map of Erricha Island] + + + + +THE ADVENTURE LEAGUE + + +CHAPTER I + +WHAT HAPPENED IN ERRICHA. + +It was very early on a bright summer morning. Rocks and heather and +green fields lay bathed in sunshine; and round the shores of a small +island on the west coast of Scotland the sea was dancing and splashing, +while in the distance the Highland hills raised their bare crests +towards a cloudless sky. + +The sun had not long risen, and it seemed as though no one could be +stirring at this early hour; yet there was an unusual commotion among +the birds nesting on the ledges of a high cliff. The funny little +puffins, with their red, parrot-like bills, were peering anxiously out +of the crevices; while the curious little auks, standing erect in rows +like black and white mannikins, were exceedingly perturbed; and the +kittiwakes flew screaming from the rocky shelves, joining their voices +to the hoarser cries of the guillemots and the booming of the waves +among walls and pillars of rock. + +The cause of the birds' agitation was not far to seek. Some figures, +looking very small upon the huge cliff, were crawling on their hands +and knees upon the ledges, gathering eggs. Two were boys; and the red +cap and serge frock of another proclaimed her to be a girl. About +fifty feet below, with nothing between him and the waves which looked +small in the distance, a lad hung suspended by a rope, while the birds +circled and screamed around him. + +One of the boys came to where the ledge ended in a sheer drop down to +the sea; and putting something very carefully in his pocket, he rose to +his feet and began to climb upward. + +Catching hold of the tufts of heather on the verge of the cliff, he +swung himself on to firm ground, and proved to be a boy of about ten +years of age; thin and wiry, with a dark face and bright twinkling +eyes. His thin brown wrists had grown a long way out of the sleeves of +his jacket; and he had torn a hole in the knee of each knicker. + +After rubbing his elbows, which he had grazed against the rocks, he +turned to speak to a little girl who was sitting on a tuft of heather, +looking somewhat forlorn. A handsome collie dog, yellow-brown with a +white ruffle round his neck, was lying impatiently at her feet, every +now and again glancing up at his mistress with bright, inquiring eyes. + +'Well, Tricksy,' said the boy; 'tired of waiting, eh?' + +'Yes,' replied his sister, 'you've been a long time, and I'm cold. I +don't see why I shouldn't go down the cliffs with the rest of you. +Laddie's tired of waiting too.' + +The collie rose upon hearing his name mentioned, and thrust his nose +into the boy's hand, wagging his tail and looking as though he would +say, 'Come along now, do; and tell the others to come; you've played at +that dangerous game long enough; let's all have a jolly scamper after +rabbits!' + +A red cap appeared over the edge of the cliff, followed immediately by +a laughing face framed in a crop of fair curly hair; then a girl +scrambled on to firm ground. + +'Hulloa, Reggie! are you there already?' she said. 'How many have you +got?' + +'Five,' said Reggie, displaying the contents of his pockets; 'an auk's, +two puffin's, and two kittiwake's. Aren't they prettily marked?' + +'Beauties,' replied the girl, examining the eggs. 'Better get Neil to +blow them for you; he always does it the best. I have only two, and +another broke as I was getting it out; but oh, it was glorious down on +these ledges! I'd like to have a scramble like this every morning!' + +'I daresay,' broke in an exasperated little voice; 'fine fun for you +others to get up at four in the morning when the steamer isn't expected +until six, and go scrambling about on the rocks, getting sea-birds' +eggs, saying that you'll only be five minutes, and then stay an hour!' + +The child spoke in little rushes and gushes, and her eyes twinkled and +looked pathetic by turns in her little dark, round face. + +'An hour, Tricksy! It can't have been so long as that!' + +'Indeed it was, Marjorie, because I have Reggie's watch; he left it +with me, and it has been rather tiresome waiting here, when you know I +mayn't climb the rocks as you do.' + +'Poor Tricksy, what a shame! It's too bad of us, leaving you alone all +that time. Just wait until you are a year or two older, and then your +mother will let you climb like the rest of us. Who would have thought +that we had been away so long! Time _does_ go so quickly when you're +scrambling about for eggs!' + +She looked around with bright, fearless blue eyes; a tall, slight girl +of fifteen, with a face so tanned by sun and wind as almost to have +lost its extreme fairness, and with the quick, free movements which +speak of perfect health and an open-air life. + +'Hulloa,' said Reggie suddenly; 'there's the steamer!' + +'Where?' asked both the girls eagerly. + +'Over there, just rounding the headland, quite in the distance; you can +see the trail of smoke, She won't be in for some time yet.' + +For a minute or two the young people stood watching the grey line upon +the horizon; then Marjorie said-- + +'She's coming along pretty quickly. Hadn't we better call the others +and let them know?' + +'Yes, do,' said Reggie; and hollowing their hands, they shouted, +'Neil!--Hamish!--hulloa!--the steamer!' + +Their voices were blown back to them by the wind; but the lad on the +rope happening to look up, the others pointed energetically out to sea, +where the hull of the steamer was now becoming visible. + +The boy glanced round; then climbed quickly hand over hand up the rope, +and joined the others. + +'The steamer at last,' said Reggie. 'See, she is just rounding Erricha +Point now; she won't be long in coming in. Isn't it jolly about the +measles, Neil?' + +'Jolly for those who didn't happen to take them,' suggested Marjorie. + +'Allan's holidays began six weeks sooner than they would have done if +the boys hadn't all been sent home,' continued Reggie. + +'He is coming just when we're having the best fun,' said Marjorie, +watching the steamer with thoughtful eyes; 'what jolly times we'll have +now. That was an awfully good idea of yours, Neil.' + +The tall lad looked gratified. He was a handsome youth of about +seventeen, dressed in the rough clothes of a fisherman, but refined in +appearance, with a straight nose, dark blue eyes, and curly black hair. + +'I will be thinking that you and the others had as much to do with it +as I had, Miss Marjorie,' he replied. + +'Not at all, old fellow,' said Reggie, who always spoke to his friend +as though he were a boy of his own age; 'not at all; we never could +have made the place what it is if it hadn't been for you. Hulloa, +Hamish, old chap,' he added good-humouredly, as a somewhat +sleepy-looking, fair-haired boy joined the group--'reached the top?' + +Marjorie looked angry, as she always did when Reggie Stewart assumed +patronising airs towards her brother. + +'Yes,' replied Hamish simply; 'I thought there was no hurry, as the +steamer won't be in for a while, and I was trying to reach down for +these little things. Look, Tricksy, I thought you might like to have +them--two young puffins, not long hatched.' + +'O Hamish, what _lovely_ little things!' cried Tricksy, her eyes +growing large and her little round face dimpling with pleasure; 'it +_was_ good of you to get them for me.' + +At this moment Laddie, who had been standing impatiently beside the +group, pricked up his ears with a growl, looking at something a short +distance away. + +'What's the matter with you, Laddie?' said Reggie. + +'He's looking at that man over there,' said Marjorie; 'who is it? He +seems to want to speak to you, Neil.' + +Neil looked round and then reddened slightly. + +'It will be that poor fellow Gibbie Mackerrach, one of the band of +gipsies who are staying here just now,' he said. 'Go away, Gibbie,' he +added in Gaelic, shaking his head, since it was unlikely that the gipsy +would be able to hear distinctly where he stood; 'I can't come.' + +'It's the lad who isn't quite right in his mind, isn't it?' said +Marjorie; 'the one whom you helped when his boat was upset on the loch?' + +'Yes, it will be the poor fellow who had the ducking,' replied Neil. +'He will be quite harmless, only a little odd. You will nefer be +seeing him with the others; he will always be wandering about by +himself, and sleeping in all kinds of places. Och! but this will not +do though; he is meddling with our coats that we took off when we were +going to climb. Hi, Gibbie! you must not be touching these things.' + +The lad's handsome, foolish face became overspread with a smile as Neil +came towards him. + +'Good Neil--kind Neil,' he said, patting him on the arm. + +'Now go away, Gibbie; there's a good lad,' said Neil. 'I will have no +time to be talking to you just now, and you must not be touching our +things. You had better go home, Gibbie; they will be looking for you.' + +'Be quiet, Laddie,' said Reggie authoritatively to the dog, who was +still growling; 'he is not doing any harm.' + +Laddie's remonstrances died away in a disapproving grumble, as though +he were saying that he wasn't satisfied yet, and would renew the +subject upon some future occasion. + +'If you don't mind,' said Neil, who had been watching the retreating +form of the gipsy, 'I will be going a bit of the way with him. He iss +trying to cross the Shaking Bog now, and he might be coming to harm in +it.' + +'All right, Neil; see you again later,' said the others. + +'Tricksy, what's the matter with you?' cried Marjorie; 'you are +trembling like anything, and your teeth are chattering in your head.' + +'Cold,' said the little girl, whose small dark face was beginning to +look pinched and unhappy; 'and I'm a little hungry too; we hadn't time +to get anything to eat when you and Hamish came for us so early.' + +'Comes of leaving you up there so long,' said Marjorie; 'how careless +we were. Whatever will your mother say if you get ill.' + +'Here, Tricksy,' said Hamish, 'take this coat, I don't want it; and +look, the steamer is not far from the pier; she is coming in at a rate. +We'll have to run if we want to get in as soon as she does. Take my +hand, and I'll help you along, and you'll be warm in half a jiff.' + +Tricksy smiled in a consoled way as she put her hand into the big +outstretched one of the boy; and the whole party set off to race along +the top of the cliff and down to where the pier jutted out from a small +village nestled in a low part of the shore. + +Laddie gave an excited bark and scampered beside the others, wondering +what was going to happen. + +The steamer was coming in pretty fast, and the pier being encumbered +with nets and with crans of newly caught fish, they reached the +mooring-place just as the hawser was being thrown ashore. + +A bright-looking boy of about fourteen years of age was standing on +deck with his hands in his pockets and a tweed cap on the back of his +head, and a tall, sunburnt gentleman was beside him. + +'Hulloa, father! hulloa, Allan!' said Tricksy, dimpling and smiling. + +Laddie looked up for a minute; then burst into a joyous barking, and +sprang several feet off the ground, turning round in the air before +once more alighting upon his paws; then he tore up and down the pier +like a dog out of his senses. + +In the midst of his excitement the gangway was thrown across, and the +sailors stood aside to let the laird and his son leave the vessel. + +Immediately Laddie bounded forward and danced around them, barking +until the rocks echoed, and waving his bushy tail in an ecstasy of +welcome. + +'Down, Laddie, down,' said Mr. Stewart sternly; and Laddie, after +looking up pathetically for a minute or two, contented himself with +following Allan as closely as he could. + +'How do you do, Marjorie?' said Allan. 'Hulloa, Hamish; glad to see +you! Hulloa, Reggie!--Tricksy, why don't you keep your dog in better +order?' + +Tricksy looked hurt. + +'He's a very well-trained dog,' she declared. 'He only barks because +he is glad to see you.' + +'Tricksy thinks she owns a dog,' said her father, smiling down at the +little girl, 'but in reality the dog owns her.' + +'Daddy, you are always teasing me,' said Laddie's eight-year-old +mistress; 'he's a _most_ obedient dog.--Laddie, come here.' + +Laddie glanced at her and then looked up adoringly at Allan without +stirring from his side. + +'That is so like a dog,' observed Marjorie; 'they always make more fuss +about a boy, even if he hardly notices them, than over a girl who is +always petting them. It's too bad.' + +Tricksy looked mortified. + +'It's because he's so glad that Allan has come home,' she said. 'Just +wait, Daddy; he'll obey me sometime.' + +Mr. Stewart and Hamish smiled; but the others were clustering round +Allan, asking questions. + +'Had you a good journey, Allan? The steamer's very late. How are the +measles? Are many of the boys ill? Lucky you didn't take it.' + +'It's very jolly that you've got such long holidays, Allan,' said +Tricksy, who was walking on her tip-toes with pleasurable anticipation. +'We've got such a jolly game at present; and Neil's helping us.' + +'How is old Neil?' asked Allan. + +'First-rate,' said Reggie. 'He was with us this morning, gathering +eggs.' + +'Gathering eggs!' said Allan; 'you've been up very early.' + +'Yes,' replied Marjorie; 'Reggie and Tricksy heard that you were +expected at six in the morning, so they rode over to ask us to be sure +to come and meet you at the steamer. We got up ever so early--I don't +know when; and what do you think? After we'd come all that long way +those lazy people were still asleep!' + +'Yes,' piped Tricksy; 'at four in the morning we were wakened by having +pebbles thrown up at our windows, and we had to get up and dress in a +brace of shakes.' (Reggie's face darkened. Tricksy was fond of using +slang picked up from her brothers, and he felt it his duty to +disapprove.) 'Then we didn't know what to do to fill up the time, so +we went to Neil's mother's cottage, and Reggie knocked at Neil's +window, so that he came out to see what was the matter; and we all went +egg-gathering on the rocks.' + +'Where's father?' said Allan suddenly; he has been left behind.' + +'Go on--all of you!' called Mr. Stewart, who was engaged in talking to +a respectably dressed man on the pier; 'don't wait for me.--Take Hamish +and Marjorie home, Allan, and give them some breakfast, and tell your +mother I shan't be long.' + +'I wonder who that is with father,' said Reggie; 'I can't see his face. +He looks like a stranger. Father is always having people coming to +talk to him now that he has been made a J.P.' + +'Allan,' said Marjorie, 'before we go to your house, I think we had +better go into Mrs. MacAlister's and get a scone or a piece of oat-cake +for Tricksy. She has gone far too long without food. You're hungry, +aren't you, Tricksy?' + +Tricksy nodded. Her little dark face was very pale, and she was +struggling with a vexatious desire to cry. + +'She always _will_ insist upon doing what the rest of us do, that +child,' said Marjorie in an undertone to Hamish; and Hamish looked +kindly at the youngest member of the band. + +'She has no end of pluck, the little kid,' he aid. + +'We'll go to Mrs. MacAlister's shop,' said Marjorie. 'I am sure she +must be up by now, and we'll be able to get something.' + +The young folks pattered along the unevenly paved streets of the little +village, which had the sea on one side and grassy cliffs on the other. + +'It's curious what a lot of people are about so early,' said Marjorie, +as they passed some knots of men and women standing in corners and +talking. 'I wonder whether there is anything unusual going on.' + +The party stopped at the door of a small shop which had some cakes and +jars of sweets in the window, and a post-box let into the wall. + +'Here's Mrs. MacAlister's,' said Marjorie; 'she has her shop open very +early.' + +The little place was in confusion. The shutters were down, but the +shop had not been tidied, and Mrs. MacAlister herself, when she came +forward to serve her customers, was pale and had red eyes. + +'Is anything the matter, Mrs. MacAlister?' asked Marjorie, while the +others looked at the untidy shop in surprise. + +'Indeed, Miss Marjorie, I will just be having my shop broken into this +night; and they will be opening the post-box and taking away a lot of +the letters,' and the woman threw herself into a chair and began +talking and lamenting in Gaelic, while the children crowded together +open-eyed. + +'No, Master Reggie--no, Miss Marjorie; do not be touching anything,' +said Mrs. MacAlister hurriedly, as they approached the shattered +letter-box; 'it hass all to remain as it iss until the chief constable +and the laird hev seen it; and they will be bringing the Sheriff from +Stornwell; it iss an unlucky day for a poor woman like me, whateffer.' + +'It's a dreadful thing,' said Marjorie; 'I hope they'll catch the +thief, Mrs. MacAlister.' + +Mr. Stewart, accompanied by the stranger and the island constable, was +approaching the door, so the young people trooped out into the street, +feeling greatly excited. + +'Who do you think has done it, Allan?' asked Tricksy in an awestruck +voice. + +Allan did not answer, and Reggie said, 'How can he tell, Tricksy?' +somewhat curtly. + +Tricksy subsided, and a cart laden with peats coming by, Allan stopped +the driver and asked him to give them a 'lift.' + +The man helped Tricksy into the cart, and the others scrambled in the +best way they could, and settled themselves among the peats. + +'It's a dreadful business this,' said Marjorie, her eyes shining +brighter and bluer with excitement. + +'I don't believe such a thing has ever happened with us before,' said +Allan; 'our people have always had the credit of being very honest.' + +'Who can it have been?' said Hamish, after considering for a minute. +'I can't believe that any of our people would have done it.' + +'There will be no end of a row,' said Reggie, speaking for the first +time. 'Father will have his work cut out for him, as he is a J.P. now.' + +'Yes, and the Sheriff coming here, and everything,' said Marjorie. +'How will you like to meet your friend the Sheriff again, Tricksy?' + +There was no reply. + +Tricksy had fallen asleep among the peats, her head pillowed upon her +arm, and her soft, dark waves of hair falling over her face. + +The others began to realise how sleepy they were, after having risen +before sunrise and spent several hours in the strong sea air, and in +spite of excitement, conversation languished while the cart jolted +along and finally halted at the gates of Ardnavoir, the manor-house of +the island of Inchkerra. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +THE PIRATES' DEN + +'Neil, old fellow,' Allan was saying, 'I wonder how much longer these +people are going to keep us waiting.' + +The two were in a boat that was bobbing up and down upon the waves. +The shore close by was low and sandy, with some seaweed-covered stones +forming a convenient landing-place. On one side the bay swept round in +a curve ending in a rocky headland; and on the other arose low cliffs +with brambles and sea-pinks growing in the crevices. A breeze was +blowing shoreward; and the waves curled and broke upon the beach with a +pleasant sound. + +'Nothing more found out about the robbery yet, I suppose?' said Allan, +after they had waited a little longer. + +'Nothing at all,' said Neil. 'It iss a most extraordinary affair, for +there iss not a man on the island one could effer be suspecting of +doing such a thing; and if it wass a stranger, the wonder iss how he +will be managing to come and go without being seen. The letter-box +wass broken into from inside the house, and whoever will be doing it +must have got in after MacAlister and his wife wass gone to bed. It +iss a wonder they will not have been hearing anything.' + +'There's the MacGregors' pony-cart at last,' said Allan, 'with Marjorie +and Hamish in it. Let's bring the boat to the landing-stones. They +will leave the trap at Mrs. MacMurdoch's cottage until we come back.' + +A man came out of the cottage and held the little shaggy pony while +Marjorie and her brother took a variety of miscellaneous articles out +of the cart. + +'Hulloa, Allan! hulloa, Neil!' they cried; 'where are the others?' + +'Don't know,' said Allan, 'they are dawdling somewhere, and we'll never +get off at this rate. What's all this that you've got with you?' + +'Things for the hiding-place,' said Marjorie; 'and a nice lot of +trouble we've had to bring them all this way without breaking any of +them. The pony was particularly tricky, not having been exercised. +You'll get a basket of crockery, Allan, if you'll go and take it out of +the trap. Hamish is carrying some provisions and a tablecloth, and +I've got some knives and forks, and just look at this!--It's a girdle +for making scones with.' + +'All right,' said Allan; 'chuck them into the boat, and get in +yourself. But won't it be a little too civilised, bringing all these +things with you?' + +'Not at all,' said Marjorie; 'wait till we show you what a jolly place +we're making. We can spend whole days there without ever coming home, +and we must be able to cook dinner and tea for ourselves. We've had no +end of trouble to get all these things out of the kitchen without +Elspeth seeing us. She's so mean, you know, about letting us carry +away anything that doesn't belong to us.' + +'All right,' said Allan; 'but when are Reggie and Tricksy going to turn +up? It would serve them jolly well right if we went off without them.' + +'There they are in the distance,' said Hamish; 'at least, these seem to +be the dogs.' + +'That's certainly Laddie,' said Allan, standing up and looking, 'and +that little black speck seems to be Carlo; but surely those can't be +Reggie and Tricksy with them?' + +All stared at two curious figures that looked like animated bundles of +hay coming along the road. + +'It is Reggie and Tricksy,' said Neil, whose sailor's sight enabled him +to see farthest; 'and they're carrying something.' + +'Carrying _what_?' said Allan, more and more puzzled. + +'Perhaps they're bringing straw for bedding,' suggested Marjorie. + +'Then if they are, they're not going to fill up the boat with it on +this trip,' said Allan decidedly. 'We shall be heavily enough loaded +already, with all of ourselves; and they're bringing both the dogs.' + +As they came nearer the two walking bundles proved to be indeed Reggie +and Tricksy, carrying enormous bundles of ferns. Reggie's face peeped, +hot and perspiring, round one side of his bundle, which he clasped with +the utmost extent of his arms; and Tricksy, with a smaller burden, +looked with a long-suffering expression over the fronds which tickled +her little nose. Beside them Laddie stepped lightly along, his tail +curling over his back; while in the rear a small King Charles spaniel +waddled painfully along upon his little short legs; his tongue hanging +out, and his long ears sweeping the dust of the road. + +'Well,' said Allan; 'whatever are they up to now?' + +Reggie came down to the shore, picking his way cautiously over the +stepping-stones. + +'You might hold the boat steady for me,' he said in a half-stifled +voice; then, stepping on to the thwarts, he lost his footing and fell +forward, load and all, into the boat. + +Promptly he struggled to his feet and wiped his forehead, looking +around with a self-congratulatory smile. + +'There,' he said, 'these will be a great improvement to the place. Got +them up, roots and all.' + +Meanwhile Hamish had relieved Tricksy of her load, and Neil was helping +the little girl over the stones. + +'Why, Tricksy,' said Marjorie, as the little girl took her seat, 'you +_have_ got yourself into a state!' + +'I know, but I couldn't help it,' said Tricksy, looking ruefully down +at her little black hands and muddy frock. 'Reggie wanted the ferns +for our garden, and we've been digging away with pieces of wood in the +banks of the burn. Some of them had roots ever so deep down, and we +couldn't help making ourselves muddy. I'll wash my face and hands in +the sea.' + +'Why ever did you bring _that_ thing with you?' said Allan in disgust, +pointing to the little dog who was standing on the shore. Already +Laddie had sprung on board and was lying curled up on the stern seat, +confident of his welcome. 'We'll have to leave him in one of the +cottages until we come back.' + +'No, no!' cried Marjorie and Tricksy; 'Carlo must come too.' + +'Let him come,' said Hamish; 'he won't be in the way.' + +The little dog, who had been frisking about and wagging his tail, sat +up and begged, looking from one to the other of the young people with a +beseeching whine. + +'You darling,' cried both the girls; and Tricksy sprang out of the boat +and lifted him in. + +Allan looked contemptuous as he pushed off; but Laddie gave a little +yelp of satisfaction, and the little spaniel curled himself cosily in +Tricksy's lap, while Marjorie leaned over and petted him when the boys +were not looking. + +The steady strokes of the rowers brought the boat rapidly through the +water, while the herring gulls flew screaming around, and a small +island in the middle of the firth came nearer and nearer. + +Presently the sea became shallower, and the boat shot up on the beach. + +'Here we are,' said Marjorie, springing out first; 'now you must see +what we've made of the place, Allan. Haul up the boat, Hamish; and +Reggie, you might hand out some of these things. Take care you don't +drop any of them. Every one take something, and let's come.' + +Laddie waited impatiently while the articles were distributed among the +party, and then followed his young friends with an anticipatory bark. +Carlo was lifted out by Hamish, and immediately set off to chase a gull +which sailed majestically out to sea, and left him barking on the shore. + +'Now, Allan,' said Reggie, his dark eyes twinkling; 'you are going to +see what we've been about.' + +The island consisted of a beach, rocky on the one side, sandy on the +other, enclosing a stretch of grass and heather. A tiny hill rose by a +deserted shepherd's hut, and a miniature burn trickled down to the sea. +The place had once been used as a grazing ground for a few sheep, but +of late years had been entirely uninhabited. + +'Now look, Allan,' said Reggie, as they stood by the bit of dyke which +protected the windy side of the cottage. + +'Wh-e-ew,' said Allan; 'you have made a jolly place of it!' + +'Rebuilt the cottage, which had been falling to ruins,' said Reggie. +'That was mostly Neil's doing, and Hamish and I helped. Filled up the +holes in the thatch with fresh heather. We all worked at that part of +it. Then you see we've made a bit of a garden and thrown up the turf +for a dyke on the side where the stone one was broken down. The shells +on the path were brought up from the beach of this very island. Isn't +it jolly?' + +'Awfully fine,' said Allan. 'Have you given the place a name yet?' + +'Why,' said Marjorie, 'it's our Pirates' Den, and we mean to have all +kinds of fun in it all through the summer. The boat is called the +_Pirates' Craft_ now, and we are going to have no end of fine doings, +particularly if Neil has time to join us.' + +Allan shoved his cap to the back of his head, and looked about him +again with brightening eyes. + +'Awfully jolly,' was all that he could say. 'Neil, you _are_ a fellow +for hitting upon good ideas.' + +'Now come along and see the inside,' said Reggie, leading the way. + +'This fine strong door was made by Neil,' said Marjorie; 'a fine time +we had getting it over in the boat. We haven't got glass for the +windows yet, and I don't suppose we ever shall; but it doesn't matter. +What do you think of our kitchen?' + +Hamish pushed open the door, and they all crowded in to see how Allan +would look. + +'Well,' said Allan, 'you _have_ done a lot to the place!' + +The clay floor had been swept dean and had been repaired in places; the +hearth had been cleared out, and a kettle hung from a hook in the wide +chimney. Some gaily-coloured pictures had been nailed up over the damp +stains on the walls, and there were some rough chairs and a somewhat +rickety table. Altogether it was a fairly comfortable little cottage. + +'You must have worked very hard at this,' said Allan. + +'Indeed we have,' said Marjorie. 'We've been gardening, and hammering, +and carpentering all our spare time since you left; Tricksy and all of +us. We'd never have stuck to it as we did if it hadn't been for Neil.' + +'Good old Neil,' said Allan, giving the elder lad a friendly pat on the +shoulder. 'Well, I must say it's an awfully jolly place, and I wish +I'd been here while you were working on it.' + +'There's plenty to do yet,' said Marjorie; 'we are going to make all +kinds of improvements. Mother and Mrs. Stewart can't make out how we +manage to spend so much time by ourselves and never come to any harm.' + +They stood looking around for a few minutes and then Tricksy's voice +broke in, with a little laugh in it, 'Yes, these are very nice chairs, +and it's a very nice table; but are we going to get anything to put on +it?' + +All the others laughed. + +'Well,' said Allan, 'now I come to think of it, I _am_ a bit peckish. +What do you say, Hamish?' + +'Yes,' said Marjorie energetically; 'bustle about, all of you, and +we'll have some dinner before we do anything else. Get some peats, +will you, Reggie; some of the shepherd's peat-stack is still there, and +it comes in very usefully for us.' + +A fire was soon burning on the hearth, and Marjorie suggested that the +boys should go to the rocks on the farther side of the island and try +to catch a few fish while she and Tricksy made scones and boiled the +kettle. + +The boys scrambled out as far as they could and threw out their lines; +and when half-a-dozen rock-cod had been caught they returned to find +Marjorie and Tricksy very busy over the fire, while a pile of hot +bannocks smoked beside them. + +'Take the dishes and set the table,' said Marjorie, rubbing her eyes, +which smarted a little with 'peat reek,' for the chimney did not vent +very well. + +'Where shall we set it?' asked Reggie. + +'Outside, of course; what's the good of being in a house when it isn't +raining? Besides, it's smoky here.' + +A tablecloth was spread on a sheltered piece of turf, and secured at +the corners with stones to keep it from blowing away; then the dishes +were set out upon it. + +'What are the dogs about?' asked Marjorie, coming out of the cottage +with a plate of smoking fish. + +'Rabbiting, I bet,' said Reggie, and began shouting, 'Laddie! Carlo!' + +In a few minutes there was a scamper, and Laddie's head appeared above +a ridge, waiting with pricked-up ears to know what was required of him. + +'Dinner, Lad!' said Reggie. + +Laddie gave a yelp, sprang up and turned a somersault in the air and +came running, followed by Carlo, who yapped with excitement, his ears +flying behind him and his curly black coat covered with earth and +stalks from burrowing in the rabbit-holes. + +'Trust, Laddie,' said Tricksy; and the collie lay down obediently with +his nose on his paws. Carlo stretched himself beside him, but was +unable to restrain his impatience, and sat up more than once and +begged, undeterred by warnings from Laddie, who feared that his little +friend's disobedience might get him into trouble. + +'Isn't it awfully jolly having dinner out-of-doors?' said Marjorie, +whose short curly hair was blowing about her face and glistening in the +sun, while her blue eyes danced with merriment. + +'Much nicer than indoors,' said Tricksy. 'I wish we could live here +altogether.' + +'Jolly tired you'd get of it,' growled Reggie; 'wait till it rains, and +you find yourself shut up with half-a-dozen other people, and both the +dogs, in one little smoky room. You'd tell another tale then.' + +'What I will be wondering, Miss Marjorie,' said Neil; 'iss why you will +all be taking so much trouble to keep every one but ourselves from +knowing that you have this place?' + +'It is only for a little while,' replied Marjorie. 'Of course we will +bring father and mother over here for a picnic some day and give them a +surprise.' + +'And _my_ father and mother too,' piped Tricksy; 'we wouldn't want to +keep a thing from Mummie, except just for a little while, for fun.' + +'Then how iss it that you will be finding so much pleasure in having a +secret just now?' + +Marjorie looked out to sea with a puzzled expression. + +'I don't know,' she said at last, with a little laugh; 'except that +it's such fun knowing that we've got a secret!' + +'I've been thinking,' said Allan, who was lying full length upon a +ridge and looking towards Inchkerra, 'while we are having such a jolly +time of it over here, what must be the feelings of the man who stole +those letters, now he knows that the police are after him!' + +The others all looked towards the island, where they could see the low, +grey cottages of the little village. + +'It seems strange that they haven't got him yet,' observed Marjorie. + +'I met MacLean the constable from Stornwell this morning,' said Hamish, +'and he told me that they had no trace as yet, and that they believed +it must have been done by some stranger who came over from the +mainland, and got away immediately after the robbery.' + +'I hope so,' said Allan; 'it isn't nice to think of any of our people +being dishonest.' + +'If it was a stranger,' said Reggie; 'they may never catch him.' + +'I heard father say that he would be traced by the money-orders,' +replied Allan. 'It seems that there were several post-office orders in +a registered letter addressed to father, and that is one of the letters +that is missing. Father says that the thief is sure to try to make use +of the orders sooner or later, and they have sent the numbers to every +post-office in the kingdom.' + +'And then the man will be caught!' said Tricksy in an awestruck tone. + +'That will be the best chance of getting him,' replied Allan. + +'The fellow will find himself in the wrong box then, won't he, Neil?' + +'I suppose he will,' replied Neil, rather absently. + +'I hope it won't turn out to have been some one on the island,' said +Reggie. + +'I hope not,' said Marjorie, looking over to the green fields and brown +heather moors of Inchkerra. 'Isn't it dreadful to think that it may +have been some one whom we know; some one we have spoken to quite +lately?' + +'Well, Miss Marjorie,' said Neil, 'do you not think we had better be +getting the table cleared and the things put away? We have plenty of +work before us, if we are to plant all Reggie's ferns; and we must not +stay too late, for it iss anxious about you that Mrs. Stewart and Mrs. +MacGregor will be.' + +'Not they,' said Tricksy; 'no one is anxious when they know that you +are with us, Neil.' + +Neil looked gratified, and the young people began to collect the dishes. + +'Now, don't you bother about this piece of work,' said Marjorie, when +the boys had carried the plates into the cottage; 'you go and amuse +yourselves out-of-doors while Tricksy and I wash the dishes.' + +'I wonder why you don't let them do their share of the disagreeable +work, Marjorie,' said Tricksy a little discontentedly, when the boys +had vanished. + +'Pooh,' said Marjorie, with her arms in the hot water; 'what's the +good? They'd only hate it, and besides, boys always do these things +badly.' + +When the dishes and cooking utensils had been arranged upon the +shelves, Marjorie and Tricksy went out into the garden, their eyes +somewhat dim with peat smoke. + +'Come along and help, you two,' cried Reggie; 'must get these things in +this afternoon, or they'll be dead before we come back again. Bother +it, though; we haven't enough tools to go round.' + +'Here, Miss Tricksy,' interposed Neil; 'you take this little spade. +This sharp piece of wood will be doing just as well for me.' + +'And I've got a pointed piece of slate; I can scrape holes with that,' +said Allan. 'Take this old trowel, Marjorie; it hasn't a handle, but I +don't suppose you'll mind.' + +For a long time the young people worked with a will. The sun beat down +upon the unshaded island, and the breeze blew in from the sea, bringing +a salt taste to the lips and blowing the girls' hair about. The waves +babbled round the shore, and the gulls sailed overhead and screamed. + +When the sun's rays began to slant, and the pile of ferns was +diminishing, Neil kept glancing over his shoulder to watch the tide. + +'There now, that's done,' said Reggie, pressing the earth round the +roots of the last fern and then rising; 'it's a jolly long time it has +taken us. What shall we do next?' + +'I think we ought to go now,' said Hamish. 'What do you say, Neil?' + +'It is high time we wass making a start,' said Neil. 'The tide iss +rising fast, and the beach iss half covered already.' + +'What a pity,' said Tricksy regretfully; 'we've had such a jolly day of +it, haven't we, Marjorie?' + +'Awfully jolly,' replied Marjorie; 'but we'll come again soon.--You'll +come too, won't you, Neil?' + +'I will be coming as soon as I can be sparing the time, you may be sure +of that, Miss Marjorie,' replied the lad with a smile. + +The dogs were recalled from the rabbit-holes and came, their faces +covered with sand, and the boat was pushed off from the shore. + +Half-way across the firth, Marjorie turned and looked back regretfully. + +'What a pity we have to go home,' she said. 'It would be awfully jolly +to spend all night in the cottage.' + +'Look to your oar, Marjorie,' sang out Allan, for the boat was +beginning to turn round. + +In a short time they reached the landing-stones, of which the lower +ones were already submerged. + +'Won't you all look in and see Mother before you go home?' suggested +Neil, after the boat had been drawn up and secured to the +mooring-chain. 'She'd be pleased if you'd come and say good evening to +her; and Miss Tricksy, you would be seeing the little puffins that +Hamish gave you; Mother tells me that they're coming along finely.' + +Mrs. Macdonnell's cottage was not far distant, and the young people +accepted Neil's invitation. + +'I'll just tell Mother that you're here,' said Neil, lifting the latch +and vanishing in the interior of the cottage. + +'I wonder who Mrs. Macdonnell has with her,' said Allan, in an +undertone. 'I hear voices inside. Perhaps we had better not go in +this evening.' + +They waited for some time; but still no one came to bid them enter. + +'This is strange,' said Marjorie. 'I wonder whether Neil has forgotten +us.' + +The door was pushed half open, and Neil's face looked out of the +aperture, with his mother's behind him. Both appeared agitated, and +Neil looked at the others as though he did not see them. + +CHAPTER III + +A SURPRISE + +'Allan,' said Mrs. Stewart, coming downstairs, 'your father has to go +to Stornwell and will not be back until to-morrow, so there will be no +cricket match this afternoon. I have a note from Mrs. MacGregor, +asking you all to spend the day at Corranmore instead.' + +'All right, Mother,' replied Allan; 'when are we to be there?' + +'Mrs. MacGregor asks you to come early,' said Mrs. Stewart, consulting +the letter; 'I had better send you in the dog-cart, as it's rather far +to walk. Duncan is driving your father to the steamer, but he won't be +long.' + +'Don't bother about the dog-cart, Mother,' said Allan; 'it would be +much jollier to walk; and we'd like to look in at Mrs. Macdonnell's +cottage on the way and ask what's the matter with Neil. We haven't +seen him for a day or two.' + +'I wouldn't go there to-day, I think,' interposed Mrs. Stewart +hurriedly. 'I don't think Neil will be at home. I'm afraid the walk +would be too much for Tricksy,' she went on quickly, for the young +people were looking surprised. + +'Not if we start now, I think, Mother, and give Tricksy a rest now and +again. What do you say, Tricksy?' + +'Of course I can walk,' said Tricksy. 'I shan't be a bit tired, +Mother.' + +Mrs. Stewart looked at her little daughter with a smile. + +'I am afraid of your overdoing it, Tricksy; she said. 'You are always +trying to do as much as the others, who are so much older than +yourself. Well, do as you like; I leave you in Allan's charge, and he +will see that you are not made to walk too fast.' + +'All right, Mother,' said Reggie; 'but won't you come a bit of the way +with us?' + +'Not this morning, dear. I will come with you some other time.' + +'All right, Mother,' said Reggie; 'but it's a long time since you've +gone anywhere with us. Cut away upstairs, Tricksy, and get your hat; +it's time we started if we are to take rests on the way.' + +'Don't you think Mother is very quiet?' observed Tricksy, as the three +young people, accompanied by Laddie, were crossing the moor. 'I wonder +whether she's sorry about something?' + +'I did not notice anything,' said Allan. + +Tricksy had almost said, 'No, boys never do, but checked herself in +time. + +The road between Ardnavoir and Corranmore led across the northern part +of the island, through fields and moorland. All the turnings of the +way brought into view fascinating glimpses of the sea, running inland +between brown rocks. Fishing-boats with white and russet sails lay +upon water turned to a sheet of silver by the sunlight, and grey and +white gulls floated about and screamed. + +The breeze was blowing shoreward, tempering the warmth of the sun and +bringing brine and the odour of seaweed to mingle with the perfume of +bell-heather from the moors. + +Laddie stepped lightly beside his young friends, waving his tail in the +air, and now and again pausing to investigate a rabbit-burrow or an +interesting tuft of heather or cotton-grass. + +'Well, Tricksy, getting tired yet?' said Allan to his little sister +after they had walked between three and four miles. + +'Not a bit,' replied Tricksy, trudging along determinedly, but with a +little roll in her gait which betrayed that she _was_. + +'I think we'll rest awhile,' said Allan, and the three young folk sat +down upon a patch of fragrant, springy heather, while Laddie, after +looking at them for a minute, surprised at such an early halt, curled +himself up beside them. + +'I wish Father would get the yacht out soon,' said Allan, watching the +sea and the fishing-boats. + +'Yes,' said Reggie; 'he is very late this year.' + +'He won't be long now,' said Allan. 'We are going to have visitors +soon. Father has written to ask Graham major and Graham minor and +their Pater to come and stay with us as they have such long holidays +this year, owing to the measles.' + +'Who are they?' inquired Reggie. + +'Fellows from my school. Did you never hear me speak of them?' + +'_I_ didn't,' said Tricksy. 'Are they nice boys?' + +'Decent enough.' + +'Big or little?' + +'One's a small fellow; only been at school one term. The other's +bigger; not more than eleven, though; more of an age for Reggie than +for me.' + +Reggie looked indignant, but said nothing. There was nothing that +annoyed him so much as to be reminded that he was not yet a very big +boy. + +'Well,' said Allan, 'perhaps we had better be going, if you have rested +enough, Tricksy. Hulloa, there's Euan Macdonnell, the coastguard, +Neil's cousin; we'll stop and ask him if he can come out fishing with +us some day soon.' + +'Good day, Euan,' said the young people, pausing to speak, but the +coastguard only saluted and passed on as though he were in a hurry. + +Reggie looked at Allan in surprise. + +'Been sent on a message, I suppose,' said Allan, 'and hasn't time to +talk. The whole island seems to be upset by this affair at the +post-office. I wish they'd hurry up and catch the fellow and be done +with it. What's the matter with Laddie now?' + +The collie, who had been sniffing about, following up a scent, had +suddenly given a bark and sprang over a dyke, and was now yelping and +baying excitedly as he jumped about on the other side. + +'Hamish and Marjorie, I bet,' said Allan; and sure enough, two heads +appeared above the dyke, a good-natured one and a mischievous one, the +latter crowned by a scarlet cap on the top of a mass of fair curly hair. + +'We thought we'd give you a surprise,' they said, 'but Laddie spoilt it +for us. Good dog, Laddie, lie down,' for Laddie's manifestations of +delight were taking the form of a loud baying which drowned all +attempts at conversation. + +'Trust, Laddie!' said Tricksy in her little soft voice; but Laddie took +no notice. + +'Laddie, trust!' said Reggie severely; and Laddie subsided at once, +surprised that his attentions should be so little appreciated. + +Tricksy uttered a reproachful sigh, caused by her dog's inattention to +her commands. + +'When does your mother expect us?' inquired Allan. + +'Any time before dinner,' said Hamish. 'That's half-past one, and it's +only eleven now. We've got any amount of time. What do you say to +coming and looking at the gipsy encampment in the Corrie Wood? They're +breaking up camp and leaving the island to-morrow, so we may not have +another chance of seeing them.' + +'All right,' said the others, and they trooped off to the tiny wood +nestling in a hollow through which a burn trickled, and from whence a +trail of smoke came blowing across the fresh green foliage of the trees. + +All was bustle and stir in the gipsy encampment. Two carts were +standing at the entrance to the hollow, and upon these the gipsies were +piling their household goods--iron pots and kettles, bundles of rags, +some gaudy crockery, and a variety of miscellaneous articles whose use +it would be hard to determine. + +At the sight of the young people the gipsies smiled a welcome, and the +men took off their hats. Some small black-eyed children toddled +forward, and stood staring, with their fingers in their mouths. + +'Trust, Laddie!' said Allan; for two mongrel curs had rushed out and +barked, whereupon Laddie had stiffened his back and was growling +defiance. + +Laddie was obliged to content himself with glaring at the other dogs +and making a few remarks to express his contempt for gipsy dogs, and +his view of their impertinence in presuming to look at his young ladies +and gentlemen. + +'Tell your fortune, pretty lady,' said a woman to Marjorie, with a +smile which displayed her white teeth; but Marjorie shook her head. + +'You are leaving Inchkerra?' said Allan to one of the men. + +'Yes, sir. We start for Ireland to-morrow, in a sailing boat.' + +'You haven't stayed very long,' observed Marjorie. + +'Three months, lady. A long time for the gipsies.' + +'Will you ever come back again?' inquired Marjorie. + +The man shook his head. + +'Can't say, lady. Maybe yes, maybe no. We never can tell. Thanks, +master; good luck to you,' he said, touching his straggling forelock as +Allan slipped a few coins into his hand. + +'Good-bye, masters; good-bye, pretty ladies,' cried the gipsies in +farewell. + +Some distance from the hollow, a tall, loosely-made youth rose +unexpectedly from where he had been basking in the sun, by the side of +a dyke which screened him from the cold wind. + +In the weak, handsome face and roving eyes the young people recognised +Gibbie, the half-witted gipsy lad. An expression of disappointment +crossed his face as he looked over the group and seemed to miss some +one. + +'Neil no with you,' he murmured. 'Want to see Neil. Was not at home.' + +'Can we give him any message from you?' inquired Allan. + +'Tell Neil, Gibbie go away. Long way; want to see Neil to say +good-bye.' + +'Very well,' said Allan. 'When we see him, we'll tell him.' + +A crafty smile flitted over the lad's face, and he lowered his voice to +a mysterious whisper. + +'Neil will be pleased soon,' he said. 'Good Neil, good Neil. Neil +will be very rich, richer than the Gorjos; has a piece of paper worth +hundreds of pounds. Tell him to look for it. Gibbie go long way off.' + +'Poor fellow,' observed Allan to Hamish, as the gipsy returned to his +lazy basking on the heather; 'he is quite crazy; can't speak +connectedly for two minutes at a time.' + +'There is one good point in Gibbie's character,' said Hamish; 'he knows +that Neil saved his life, and he is grateful. I think the island won't +be sorry to see the last of him, though. He hasn't lived with his +tribe for weeks. He had a den of his own in the banks of the burn that +flows past our house; a queer place, far up in the hills.' + +'Look,' said Reggie, 'that must be the gipsies' boat over there, off +the south side of the island; and a little boat is going out to it with +some of their things.' + +'And there are the carts going down,' said Allan; 'it won't be long +before the camp is broken up.' + +'Pity we couldn't go gipsying for a little while,' observed Marjorie; +'just for the summer. It would be such fun wandering about from place +to place. But look at the tide coming up in Cateran Bay; the waves are +dashing on the shore and making the most beautiful foam. Would there +be time for us to go down to the beach for a little while?' + +'Plenty,' said Hamish; 'Mother doesn't expect us before one o'clock.' + +'Come along, then,' said Marjorie; 'let's run;' and they all raced down +to the shore, Laddie with them, the dog jumping with all four paws off +the ground, and barking in anticipation of sport. + +Breeze and tide together were flinging up little breakers which curled +on the shore and then retreated, only to be sent up again by the next +roller. A fascinating game was to run down to the very edge of a +retreating wave, with one's toes almost within the line of foam; to +wait until it gathered itself up again, and then fly to avoid being +overtaken by the water which came hissing and bubbling over the pebbles. + +Laddie, after watching the fun for a minute or two, suddenly rushed off +with a bark, and returned dragging a huge flat stone which he deposited +at Allan's feet; then he stood eagerly waiting, making a variety of +signs to show Allan that he expected him to do something with it. + +'Fetch, Laddie!' said Allan, throwing the stone as far as he could. + +Laddie uttered a joyful yelp and sprang after it, returning with it in +his mouth to ask Allan to throw it again. + +'Laddie, fetch!' cried Allan, throwing it into the sea this time, and +Laddie plunged into the water and came back dripping. + +He laid down the stone and shook himself, to the great inconvenience of +Marjorie; then he jumped about, baying for Allan to throw the stone +once more. + +The shouts and laughter and Laddie's barking were making a tumult which +vied with the noise of wind and waves, when Hamish touched Allan's arm +and pointed to the sky. + +'Oh, I say,' said Allan, 'we really ought to go; it's going to pour +like anything, and the girls will get wet.' + +'I'm wet enough already, I think, especially about the feet,' murmured +Tricksy; while Marjorie's lips tightened. She did not like the boys to +show that they thought her less hardy than themselves. + +Some large drops on the stones warned them to hasten; and they reached +the doctor's house just as the storm burst. + +Mrs. MacGregor, a pretty, young-looking lady, ran down into the hall to +meet them. + +'My dear Tricksy,' she cried, as she took the little girl's wet, cold +hand, 'you are soaking! Your feet are drenched!' + +'It's all right, Mrs. MacGregor,' piped Tricksy; 'we've been having a +fine game. Hamish, you've let Laddie in, and his feet are making wet +marks all over the floor!' + +'Never mind Laddie,' said Mrs. MacGregor; 'take her upstairs and give +her dry shoes and stockings, Marjorie, and then come to dinner, all of +you.' + +'You know, Marjorie,' observed Tricksy, as the elder girl somewhat +anxiously assisted her to pull off her wet stockings; 'you know you are +always telling me that we must be plucky and do all the things they +want us to do when we play with boys, or else they think we're a bore.' + +'That's all very well, Tricksy,' replied Marjorie, 'but what shall we +do if you get ill? Your mother would stop your playing with us +altogether if that happened.' + +'_I_ get ill with playing out of doors and having fun,' returned +Tricksy scornfully; 'I'm not such a duffer, Marjorie.' + +Just before dinner Dr. MacGregor came in, 'such a dear of a man,' as +Tricksy had once described him, with bright blue eyes and curly hair +like Marjorie, and a kind expression like Hamish. + +'How do you do, Reggie?' he said. 'How do you do, Allan? Do you like +school as much as ever? My dear,' turning to his wife, 'I shall have +to start immediately after lunch, and here is a note asking you to----' + +The remainder of the sentence was lost, but the boys could see that +both Dr. and Mrs. MacGregor were looking very grave. + +'I am sorry that Mrs. MacGregor and I must leave you,' said the doctor +while the meal was in progress, 'but I daresay you will manage to amuse +yourselves without getting into mischief; eh, Marjorie?' smiling at his +daughter, whose eyes flashed a saucy answer. 'You can have the boat +down if the rain keeps off.' + +But the rain showed no disposition to keep off, despite the anxious +glances which were directed towards the window. When the clouds +gathered once more in threatening masses, and the rain came lashing the +panes, Dr. and Mrs. MacGregor took their departure in a closed +carriage, warning Hamish that the boat was not to be used unless the +sea went down. + +'Bother!' said Tricksy, looking at the waves, which were tumbling over +each other and whitening with foam; 'what are we to do while it rains?' + +'Sit round the nursery fire, of course, and talk,' said Marjorie. + +An immense pile of peats was built up on the hearth of the cosy, untidy +room which had been the MacGregors' nursery; and the young folk sat +round the 'ingle-neuk' and discussed matters dear to the heart of +gamesome youth. + +Suddenly Marjorie looked up and said, 'Hurrah! the rain's stopped. +What shall we do?' + +'Too stormy to get the boat out,' said Hamish, rising and going to the +window; 'it's still very rough, and there will be another squall soon.' + +'_I_ know,' said Marjorie; 'let's play hide-and-seek. No, not a +rubbishy game in the house,' she said, meeting Allan's look of +disapproval; 'a real good game out of doors, in the garden and the +sheds and the ruins. The rain will only make it jollier, and those who +mind getting wet are funks.' + +With the wind blowing in gusts, and sudden showers splashing down from +all the roofs, the game promised some fun. Dr. MacGregor's was a +first-rate place for hide-and-seek, with a number of outhouses built +round a paved court, and the ruins of an old castle overlooking the +garden. + +Marjorie and Reggie stayed at 'home' in the front lobby, where they +could hear calls both from out of doors or within; and the hiders +dispersed themselves quickly. + +Soon three shouts were heard, coming from different directions; and the +pursuers ran out into the rain, which was beginning to fall again. + +Hamish was quickly discovered in a window of the old ruin, for he could +not resist the temptation of grinning good-naturedly down from his +perch; but he escaped along the broken flooring while they were waiting +at the foot of a stairway, and reached 'home' before they were aware. + +'You didn't give us enough of a chase,' cried Marjorie to him through +the streaming pane; then she went off, rather annoyed, to look for the +others. + +They hunted for some time among the outhouses, getting shower-baths of +drops from the eaves; but no one was to be found. At last they saw a +movement among some straw in the byre, and Marjorie made a dash +forward, just too late to catch Allan, who slipped out and made for the +door. + +Reggie barred his passage. + +'Unfair--different directions!' cried Allan; for it was the rule among +the Stewarts and MacGregors that when two were chasing one they must +both keep to the same route; and Reggie stood aside. + +They were pretty fairly matched, pursuers and pursued; and for a long +time Allan led the two others a chase among the maze of buildings; but +at last, his foot slipping upon the wet paving-stones, he was captured +by a bold dash from Marjorie. + +'Only Tricksy now,' gasped Marjorie, pushing back her wet hair, which +was clinging about her face; 'we haven't seen a sign of her; where can +she be?' + +'You have run enough,' suggested Allan; 'go in and let one of us take +your place.' + +Marjorie flashed a glance of indignation at him, annoyed that he should +suppose that she was not going to see the thing out, and after drawing +a few long breaths she and Reggie started off again. + +By this time the rain had ceased, and a pleasant smell was rising from +the damp earth and dripping trees. + +No little footprints were to be seen in the garden; and it was +impossible that Tricksy could have escaped observation had she been in +the ruins or in any of the outhouses. + +They hunted all over the house, then went into the field, and even +climbed the dyke which separated the doctor's grounds from the +moorland; but no Tricksy was to be seen. + +'I believe she has gone beyond bounds,' said Allan, who, with Hamish, +had grown tired of waiting and had wandered out to see what was going +on; 'we said the garden and the field, you know.' + +'Not she,' declared Reggie, perched outside upon the dyke, with the +wind drying his wet face and clothing; 'we have taught her to play +fair. She is only lying low in some place that we haven't thought of. +Let's shout to her to call "cuckoo."' + +They raised their voices and cried, 'Call cuckoo, Tricksy;' and Laddie, +who had been shut in the house to keep him from spoiling sport, but who +had made good his escape behind the boys, pricked up his ears and +resolved to be useful. + +A muffled voice was heard in response, and Laddie, with a bark, sprang +towards the peat-stack and stood before it, wagging his tail and trying +to make an entrance with nose and paws. + +Some of the peats were tumbled aside, and Tricksy emerged, looking very +indignant. + +'A nice way to play,' she said, 'setting Laddie on to me when you +couldn't find me yourselves.' + +They tried to explain, but Tricksy's eyes were full of contempt, and +her small figure seemed to grow taller with offended dignity. + +'Such a nice hiding-place,' she said; 'and now you've gone and spoilt +it all.' + +'Don't be a little silly, Tricksy,' said Reggie to her in an undertone; +and Tricksy allowed her dignity to subside. + +Fresh hiding-places were chosen; and when at last the young people were +so tired as to be disinclined to run any more, Marjorie suggested going +indoors to see whether tea were ready. + +The dining-room table was bare, and all faces fell. + +'I'll just go into the kitchen and see what Elspeth is about,' said +Marjorie; 'perhaps the servants are forgetting us.' + +In the stone-floored kitchen, whither they all trooped after Marjorie, +Elspeth was sitting knitting by the fireside. + +'Elspeth, when is tea going to be ready?' inquired Marjorie, rather +impatiently. + +The girl looked up at her, then down again at her knitting with +pretended indifference. + +'Tea, Miss Marjorie? I wass thinking you would not be wanting any tea +to-day.' + +Marjorie's lips tightened, but she kept down the rising temper with an +effort. + +'Why not?' she asked. 'Here are Allan and Reggie and Tricksy from +Ardnavoir; and we want our tea, please.' + +Elspeth looked up, and seemed to see the others for the first time. + +'Would you ask the young ladies and gentle men to wipe their feet on +the rug, Miss Marjorie if you please? They are spoiling my kitchen +floor.' + +This request made the whole troop feel uncomfortable, and they began +shifting from one foot to the other, conscious that they must have +brought more mud into the house than the authorities were at all likely +to approve of. + +'All right,' said Marjorie impatiently; 'we are not coming in any +further; but will you please get tea ready for us as soon as you can?' + +'Get tea ready! And how am I to do that, Miss Marjorie, if you please, +when the girdle hass been taken away out of the kitchen? I cannot be +making scones on the open fire.' + +Marjorie turned red and bit her lip. + +'Oh, never mind the girdle,' she said. 'We'll do without scones for +one day.' + +'Indeed, Miss Marjorie, I never saw tea without scones. That may be +the way in foreign parts, but there never wass tea in the West +Highlands without scones; and I will be thinking you will have to wait +till the girdle comes home again.' + +A flash darted out of Marjorie's eyes; and she remained rooted to the +spot for a minute. Then she took a sudden resolve and turned away, +elbowing the others out of the room. + +'Cat!' she muttered; 'I'll be even with her yet. Never mind, people; +if she won't give us our tea we can get it for ourselves. Get cups and +things out of the pantry, Hamish; and Reggie, you come with me.' + +The larder window was rather high up from the ground and was secured by +several iron bars. + +With some difficulty they pushed up the lower sash a little way; and +through the opening thus made Reggie contrived to wriggle his slight, +thin body. + +'Is there anything there worth carrying away?' said Marjorie, standing +on tip-toe and peering in. + +'Here's a cake,' said Reggie; 'and there are several pots of jam.' + +'All right, hand them out. There's a pie; we might as well have that; +serve Elspeth right for getting into a temper. Now let's come in with +what we've got.' + +Reggie squeezed himself through the opening, feet foremost, and dropped +to the ground. + +'Here--Hamish--Allan;' said Marjorie, entering the house; 'take these +things to the dining-room. Have you any plates? No. I'll get them +out of the pantry; and knives and spoons too. Bother, she's got the +teapot in the kitchen; I'll have to go in and get it.' + +She strode into the kitchen with flashing eyes and a haughty step; then +stopped short in amazement. + +'Elspeth!' she exclaimed; 'whatever are you crying for?' + +There was no answer. + +'Is it because of the girdle?' + +The girl shook her head; the tears falling upon the knitting which she +was holding with trembling hands. + +'Is it because we are taking the things out of the larder?' + +'Not that, Miss Marjorie.' + +'Then whatever is the matter?' + +By this time all the others had crowded in, looking very much +astonished. + +'Elspeth, are you ill?' asked Tricksy, her large dark eyes growing very +round in her little face. + +'No, Miss Tricksy; no, Miss Marjorie; it will be none of that; it will +be Neil.' + +'Neil!' exclaimed Marjorie, while the others looked more and more +amazed. 'What's the matter with him? Neil is Elspeth's cousin, you +know,' she explained. + +'Neil, poor lad; he will hev been arrested, Miss Marjorie. They will +hev taken him up for robbing the post-office! Eh, Miss Marjorie, your +mother said you weren't to know, and it iss me that will hev been +telling you. Och! the disgrace to an honest family!' and the girl +threw her apron over her head and moaned and lamented to herself in +Gaelic, while they all stood around her, speechless. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +THE COMPACT + +'Neil!' said Reggie; 'it's impossible.' + +Marjorie had become deadly white, and Allan pushed the hair back from +his forehead and stood staring, his hands in his pockets. Reggie +pranced backwards and forwards, in uncontrollable excitement, while +Tricksy's dark eyes were growing as large as saucers in her little face. + +'Elspeth,' said Marjorie sharply; 'you're talking nonsense, it can't be +true.' + +'Indeed, Miss Marjorie, it's the truth I will be telling you; the +police came and arrested him before his mother's eyes that very day +just after he had been out with you on the boat, and he's before the +Sheriff in Stornwell this very day!' + +'But, Elspeth, he did not do it! Nobody could believe that old Neil +would do such a thing!' + +'Indeed, Master Allan, there are those that do, although Neil, poor +laddie, would no more do such a thing than the laird himsel, or the +king upon his throne! Appearances are against him, poor lad; and it's +for appearances that they've arrested him.' + +'What appearances, Elspeth? Tell us about it?' + +'Well, Miss Marjorie, it's just this; one of the money orders that was +stolen was sent back from Edinburgh Post Office; and it was Neil who +had sent it away in a letter. It's from that they make out that it was +Neil who stole it.' + +'Neil couldn't have done such a thing,' broke in Reggie, with signs of +a storm in his voice. + +'Does Mother know? and Father?' asked Tricksy breathlessly. + +'Indeed, Miss Tricksy, the laird's away at the trial, and Mrs. Stewart +too, to be with Mrs. Macdonnell, poor soul; and Dr. and Mrs. MacGregor +went away this afternoon. The whole island's away, except just those +whose work obliges them to stay; and it's a sore disgrace to a +respectable family, whateffer.' + +'That's all right then, if father's there,' said Reggie confidently. +'He knows Neil far too well to believe such a thing of him, no matter +what may have happened.' + +'The laird can't help him much if the case goes against him, Master +Reggie. It's an awful thing that the money order should have come out +of the poor lad's letter; and it looks very bad.' + +'But Neil couldn't have taken it,' protested Reggie; 'no matter where +the order came from, it wasn't Neil who stole it.' + +'Well, anyhow,' said Tricksy, 'I'll never speak to the Sheriff again, +no matter what he does, if he lets Neil be put in prison.' + +'The Sheriff only has to do his duty, Miss Tricksy; and if things go +against poor Neil he can't help him.' + +'Well, we'll stand up for him, no matter who doesn't,' declared Allan; +'and we'll write and tell him so.' + +'Of course we shall,' joined in the others. + +'It's very kind of you, I'm sure,' said Elspeth, wiping her eyes; 'we +must just hope for the best. And now, young ladies and gentlemen, you +must have your tea and not think too much about it; and Miss Marjorie, +I'm thinking I must just make you a few scones!' + +Little appetite was left to the young folks for the meal; and the +half-hearted clatter of knives and plates soon died away. + +'We'll stand up for old Neil, no matter what happens,' was the upshot +of their deliberations; and Elspeth, coming in and out, dried her tears +furtively with the corner of her apron. + +Later in the evening a dog-cart drove up; and Dr. and Mrs. MacGregor +alighted. + +Marjorie ran down into the hall, while the others all clustered about +the banisters and looked down. + +'Mother,' said Marjorie, with a set face, 'we know about Neil; tell us +how things have gone for him to-day.' + +'The case is against him, so far,' replied Mrs. MacGregor. + +A groan burst from upstairs, and Marjorie set her lips tightly. + +'What will be done to him?' inquired Tricksy piteously. + +'Nothing yet, dear; the case is not finished. He has to go to +Edinburgh to be tried; and we hope that something else may be found out +before that time.' + +'Shall we see him before he goes?' + +'No, he will not come back before then.' + +'Where is he?' demanded Allan. + +'At present he is in the--in the County Jail,' faltered Mrs. MacGregor. + +'Poor Neil,' burst from the children. + +'He will be kindly treated,' interposed the doctor; 'and it is only +until the case comes up in Edinburgh.' + +The tears rolled over Tricksy's cheeks; and Marjorie turned away and +looked out of the window. + +'And now,' said the doctor cheerily, 'you must not take the matter +tragically yet. We must hope for the best. Neil must stand his trial +like a man, and it isn't often that a miscarriage of justice takes +place. He will have the very best advice, your father and I will see +to that; and you may depend upon it that some fresh evidence will turn +up before then, which will show matters in an altogether different +light. In the meanwhile you must not go about looking doleful, as +though you had made up your minds already that Neil would not be able +to show a good case for himself.' + +It was hard to be cheerful; and the young folk clustered about in +melancholy groups until the dog-cart arrived, when the Stewarts +unwillingly took their leave, with many promises on both sides to +communicate whatever might come to light in the meanwhile. + +'Now, Duncan,' said Allan, after the dog-cart had started; 'tell us +what has happened?' + +'Indeed, Master Allan; it iss ahl ferry unlucky indeed; and it iss +ferry sorry I will be for puir Neil and for Mrs. Macdonnell. You will +be knowing the night before the robbery wass committed Neil will have +been spending the evening with the MacAlisters. He wass expecting a +letter; and it will be a stormy evening and the mail steamer will not +be coming in till ferry late so that the letters wass not sent away +that night, but Neil wass allowed to look among them for his own. +There wass a registered letter for the laird; and it come out in the +evidence that Neil would see it, and that no one else but only Mr. and +Mrs. MacAlister and Neil himself could have peen knowing that it wass +there.' + +'But what could make them think that Neil would break into the +post-office and steal a letter? Neil, of all people!' + +'Well then, the ferry next day Neil will pe sending away a letter, and +in that letter wass one of the ferry orders that had been in the +laird's letter.' + +'But how do they know that it was the same order; and how can they be +certain that it was Neil who sent it away. There must have been a +great many orders presented in the Edinburgh Post Office that day.' + +'They know that it wass the laird's order, Master Allan, because the +gentleman who had sent away the orders had kept the number of them all; +and they know that Neil had sent it away because the man he sent it to +took it out of the envelope in ta post-office, and there wass a letter +with it signed clearly in his own handwriting; "Neil Macdonnell."' + +Allan sat up and pushed his cap to the back of his head. + +'It's very strange,' he said; 'there must be some mistake!' + +'How did poor old Neil take it, when he was arrested and all that?' +asked Reggie. + +'Neil wass ferry much astonished, Master Reggie, and could not pelieve +it at ahl. He said the order he had sent away wass not the laird's but +another one ahltogether. Afterwards he wass ferry angry; and in court +he stood up as prave as a lion and said he had neffer seen the order +and that he had neffer sent it away whateffer, and that it wass all +lies. They will be showing him his name written on the order; and he +had to own that it wass his handwriting, but he will not be knowing how +it had come on the order. Then when some of the people didn't seem to +pelieve him, he wass ferry angry again, wass Neil; and when the Sheriff +said he wass to go and pe tried at Edinburgh he went out of the court +in a terrible rage and a fury; and he said to us ahl that he would not +go to Edinburgh, because if ta people here who wass his friends didn't +peliefe him, they would not pe peliefing him neither in Edinburgh where +they wass ahl strangers to him, and that he would be finding some way +of escaping pefore he wass sent there and not be pringing disgrace upon +an honest family. He will be saying a lot of foolish things, will +Neil, puir lad.' + +Mr. and Mrs. Stewart were in the hall when their children arrived. +Tricksy flew into her mother's arms and burst into tears; Allan turned +a grave, concerned face towards his parents; and Reggie looked +inquiringly at his father without speaking. + +'I see that you have been told about Neil,' said the laird in his kind +voice. 'We had been hoping that the matter might have been cleared up +without delay, and that it would be unnecessary that you should be +informed of it. However, you need not despair; Neil is not the lad to +have committed a dishonest action, and I am convinced that we shall +find some evidence that will clear him.' + +'And now,' said Mrs. Stewart, 'you must all go to bed, Allan as well as +the others. It is late, and Tricksy is quite exhausted. Sleep well; +you don't know what news may come in the morning! Something may be +found out by that time.' + +'I am sure,' said Tricksy still tearfully to Reggie as he said +good-night to her in her little bed; 'I don't know what I should do if +I hadn't a mother! It's great fun running about with you and the +others, and staying out-of-doors for whole days at a time; but when we +get hurt or sorry, it's Mummie that we want!' + +Little sleep came to the boys that night. Each turned and tossed +uneasily upon his bed, trying not to disturb the other; falling into +broken dreams of being with Neil on the rocks in their own island, and +awakening to a sense of the reality. + +Early in the morning it became useless to keep up the pretence any +longer. They rose and dressed and went out-of-doors. + +By the garden gate two shaggy ponies were standing; and the boys were +not at all surprised to see Marjorie and Hamish, who turned anxious +faces towards them. + +'Well,' said Marjorie, 'anything new?' + +'Nothing since we saw you.' + +'There hasn't been time, of course,' said Marjorie. 'We couldn't rest, +so we came along to see you.' + +'Let's go down to the shore,' said Allan. 'Can't talk here.' + +A window was thrown open on the upper story of the house, and a little +voice cried, 'Wait a minute, people! don't go away! I'm coming too.' + +'Tricksy awake already!' said Marjorie; 'that child will make herself +ill.' + +In a few minutes a little figure emerged from the front door, and +Tricksy ran towards them. + +'What are you going to do?' she said. 'Is there any news?' + +'Nothing at all, Tricksy,' said Marjorie; 'we were only going down to +the shore to talk.' + +The little girl slipped her hand confidingly into Allan's and walked +beside him, trying to accommodate her steps to his long stride. + +'Hullo, there's Euan Macdonnell,' said Allan. 'He was at the trial +yesterday; let's ask him about it.' + +The fine frank-faced young coastguard touched his cap to the girls and +waited to be spoken to. + +'Euan,' said Allan abruptly; speaking in Gaelic, which was always most +convenient for the islanders if a conversation was likely to be long; +'we know about Neil. You were there; tell us about the trial.' + +'Well, Mr. Allan, it was a very bad business, and we none of us +expected it to go as it did. Poor Neil was most frightfully cut up +about it, and no wonder, poor fellow. What he felt most was that some +of the people were against him when he thought they would be quite sure +to believe in his honesty, no matter what might have happened.' + +'So they ought,' declared Allan. 'Any one who knows Neil in the least +would know that whether he sent away that order or not, he would never +have stolen it, and that there must have been a mistake.' + +'Of course there must have been,' said Euan, 'and I'm glad to hear you +say so, Mr. Allan.' + +'Suppose things were to go wrongly,' said Marjorie; 'I mean, supposing +that nothing is found out that will help to clear Neil when he comes +before the Edinburgh court, what will he have to expect?' + +Tricksy's eyes were growing wider, and the pink in Marjorie's cheeks +became deeper. + +'I am afraid the penalty for the poor lad would be two or three years +in prison, Miss Marjorie. It's a serious crime, you know; +house-breaking, and robbing his Majesty's mails. We can only hope it +won't come to that.' + +The hearers all drew a long breath, like a gasp. + +'Let's go down and sit on the rocks,' said Marjorie abruptly. 'Now, +Euan, tell us how you think it happened.' + +'Well,' said Euan, 'the only explanation is, that that order came into +Neil's possession without his knowing it.' + +Allan nodded. + +'You see, Miss Marjorie,' continued Euan, 'Neil made no secret of +having sent off a post-office order that day. He had got one on the +evening before, when he was at the MacAlisters', and he put it in the +pocket of his reefer jacket. You know that new churn he got for his +mother? Well, he was paying for that by instalments and this was one +of the payments. The day after the robbery, he went into the +post-office, got the order, put it into an envelope containing a note +to say that he hoped to send the last instalment next week, and sent it +away. But the order that came out of the letter was not the one that +he bought at Mrs. MacAlister's that night; and the curious thing is, +that he found the order that he believed he had sent away, still in his +coat pocket when he went to look. At least that's the story he tells, +poor lad.' + +'Then,' said Allan, 'how do you account for the wrong order being in +the letter?' + +Euan pondered a minute, and then said, 'Mr. Allan, there's only one +explanation of it, so far as I can see. Some person must have been +trying to screen himself by throwing suspicion on to Neil. You say +that there was more than one order in the laird's letter?' + +'Yes,' replied Allan, 'and they don't seem to have heard anything about +the others yet.' + +'They will turn up some day, no doubt, and then the whole matter may be +cleared up; but in the meanwhile there's nothing to go by to help the +poor lad. Perhaps they may be traced before the case comes up in +Edinburgh. + +'Oh, I hope so,' cried the girls, 'and then they'll get their finger on +the real culprit?' + +'The person who did it must have put the order into Neil's pocket,' +said Allan. 'How could they have managed it and what would make them +think of Neil?' + +'Well, Mr. Allan; you know how these country post-offices are kept. +The letter-box is in the MacAlisters' kitchen, which is at the same +time their shop, and where every one goes in and out. The box is never +locked; and after the letters are sorted they often lie on the table +for hours, waiting until the postman comes to take them away. Any one +who was not honest could easily slip into the kitchen when Mrs. +MacAlister's back was turned and do what they liked with the letters; +but such a thing has never happened before. Now, whoever committed the +robbery has seen that Neil was in the post-office that evening, turning +over the letters; and he saw that Neil got a money order to send away. +All this made him think that Neil was the one to fasten the guilt on +to, so after breaking into the post-office that night he slipped into +the house, unknown to Neil or his mother, and put the order where Neil +was likely to take it for his own.' + +Allan nodded approvingly when the coastguard paused in what was an +unusually long effort for him. + +There's something in that,' he said. 'But who would have done such a +thing?' + +'There is one man on the island who might have done it, and that man +has had every opportunity.' + +'Who is that?' + +'Do you know a lad called Andrew MacPeters? He works for the +MacAlisters sometimes.' + +'I know him,' said Reggie, who had been listening but saying little. +'A red-headed man with foxy eyes.' + +'The same,' said Euan. 'He is always in and out of the house; and most +likely he was there that night and saw everything that went on. He has +always hated Neil since he was a lad, and got a beating from Neil, who +was much smaller than himself. He would only be too pleased to do him +an ill turn. It shows a nasty, mean disposition that he should have +taken the trouble to break open the box and throw the letters all about +the shop when he only had to open it and take out what he wanted. Keep +a look-out on that man, young ladies and gentlemen, if you want to find +out what is at the bottom of the whole affair.' + +'We will,' they all said. + +'And if you could find out anything before the case comes up,' said +Euan, 'you might be the means of saving the lad and his mother too; for +she will be heart-broken if her son is not cleared, and that quickly.' + +'We'll do all we can,' said Marjorie. + +'Yes,' said Allan slowly and deliberately; 'I vote we all make up our +minds not to rest until we find out who did it and get Neil cleared.' + +'We will, we will,' cried all the others in a chorus. + +'How are we going to manage it?' asked Tricksy, with eyes and mouth +open. + +The others did not reply. + +'We will make a compact,' cried Marjorie, rising with sparkling eyes, +'and we'll all sign an agreement; something like this: "We hereby +promise never to rest until we find out who committed the robbery and +show that Neil didn't do it."' + +'Yes,' said Tricksy; 'let's write it at once.' + +'No pens or paper here,' said Marjorie; 'we'll write it down when we +get into the house. Euan, you must join the compact too; we'll send +you a copy for yourself. Each of us shall have his or her own copy to +carry about wherever we go; and each copy shall be signed by every +member of the compact. We'll form ourselves into a Society to prove +that Neil is innocent.' + +'So we shall,' said Allan; 'good idea that of yours, Marjorie.' + +'That's all right,' said the youngest member of the Society; 'now, when +are we going to begin?' + +'You must give us time, Tricksy,' said Allan; 'it won't be so very +easy;' but all the faces wore a more cheerful expression. + +'There's a telegraph boy,' said Marjorie suddenly, 'do you see +him?--just going in at the gates of Ardnavoir. Perhaps it's some news +of Neil.' + +'Run, Reggie,' said Allan, 'you are the best runner; and see whether +it's anything of that kind.' + +Reggie started off, and after an interval he came speeding back again. + +It's something to do with Neil,' he said; 'come quickly.' + + + + +CHAPTER V + +SUSPENSE + +All crowded into the hall, where Mr. Stewart was standing with an open +telegram in his hand. + +The laird was looking very grave. + +'Most unfortunate,' he said. 'Neil has done a very foolish thing. He +has broken out of the County Gaol and disappeared. I regret extremely +that it should have happened. It will prejudice many people against +him.' + +Mrs. Stewart was looking extremely concerned; and the young people +crowded together in speechless dismay. + +'Puir Neil,' said Duncan in the background, 'he said he would not go to +Edinburgh to pring disgrace on his family whateffer.' + +'He would have done far better to have gone up for his trial,' said Mr. +Stewart.--'Good morning, Dr. MacGregor'--for the doctor had come in to +hear the news, having been summoned from a visit in the +neighbourhood--'unfortunate affair this; it's a pity Neil couldn't have +been more patient.' + +The doctor read the telegram and looked extremely disappointed. + +'Foolish fellow!' he exclaimed. 'If the lad was innocent he should +have stayed to see the thing out; he has only made things a dozen times +worse for himself by doing this.' + +'But, Father,' said Marjorie, 'Neil couldn't have taken the letters; +they are sure to find out that he is innocent.' + +The doctor was looking angry. + +'He has made it far more difficult for his friends to see him through,' +he declared. 'Foolish, foolish lad; I have no patience with him;' and +the doctor strode out of the hall and away to his gig with a +disappointed expression of countenance. + +Mrs. Stewart looked kindly at the dismayed faces of the young people. + +'I am sure,' she said, 'that Neil did not realise what he was doing,' +and here she looked at her husband; 'he was hurt and disappointed at +finding that some of the people were able to believe that he could have +done such a thing, and that made him think that he might not get +justice. It is a great pity, but those who have known Neil all his +life would never believe him capable of dishonesty.' + +'Of course not,' said the laird kindly, 'and I only regret that Neil +did not wait to see the thing out, as I am convinced that some evidence +would have turned up which would have {74} enabled us to prove his +innocence. As it is, he remains under a cloud, and it will be a great +grief to his mother.' + +The young people went out, feeling very much discouraged, and wandered +down to the seashore, Laddie following with drooping ears and tail. +Mechanically they seated themselves upon the beach to discuss the +position of affairs, but no one seemed to have anything to suggest. + +'Well,' said Marjorie at last, digging holes in the sand with a +sharp-pointed shell; 'what are we to do now?' + +Allan pushed his cap on to the back of his head, and Reggie looked +thoughtful; but they did not reply. + +It was a beautiful morning, and the distant hills showed the first +flush of heather where the light fell upon them. Right in front the +waves were glancing like silver, and beyond the ripples the island of +the Den stood out invitingly clear. + +Tricksy, who had been gazing wistfully across the water, suddenly +melted into tears. + +'All our fun spoilt,' she said, with the big drops rolling down her +face; 'what a horrid, horrid summer we are going to have, and poor +Neil---- + +'Buck up, Tricksy,' said Allan; 'the bottom hasn't tumbled out of the +Universe yet.' + +Laddie, who had been looking with a concerned expression at his young +friends, rose up and thrust his nose under Tricksy's hand, wagging his +tail in an encouraging manner. + +'Good old dog, good Laddie,' said Allan, patting the dog's rough coat; +'he is telling us that we must not give in.' + +Laddie pricked up his ears, and went from one to another of the group, +endeavouring to rouse them from their despondency. + +'Poor Laddie, good Laddie,' said Marjorie, caressing him and feeling a +lump in her throat. + +'Laddie, dear, don't lick me in the face--you're knocking me over, +Laddie!' cried Tricksy, as her big pet became more demonstrative. + +When Laddie had been induced to sit down, which he did with the +expression of a dog convinced that his endeavours had been crowned with +success, Allan resumed: 'Well, we must remember that we've made a +compact, and we've got to stick to it and help Neil somehow, although +it looks pretty difficult at present.' + +A murmur of approval went round the group. + +'Yes,' said Tricksy, sitting with knitted brows; 'but we don't seem to +be doing anything.' + +The others were silent. + +'What would you have us do, Tricksy?' inquired Allan. + +'Do? I'd do something.' + +'Well?' + +Tricksy's face puckered again. + +'I'd catch some of the people.' + +'Well, Tricksy, and how?' + +'I'd dig holes for them to fall into.' + +Reggie uttered a contemptuous 'humph.' + +'You'd dig holes for them, would you, Tricksy, said Allan; 'how could +you tell whether you had caught the right one?' + +'I'd catch them all until I came to the right one. I'd make them tell +me what they'd been doing, and then let the wrong one go.' + +No one had any reply to make. + +Tricksy looked extremely mortified. + +'Well, anyhow,' said Allan, springing to his feet, 'we aren't doing +Neil any good by sitting here; let's go to Rob MacLean's cottage and +see whether he can help us.' + +Rob MacLean was Neil's second cousin, and the proposition met with +approval. + +The short, black-haired Highlander was working in his garden, and came +forward to greet his visitors with true Gaelic courtesy. + +'How do you do, young ladies and gentlemen?' he said; 'it iss ferry +proud to see you that I am. Come in, and it is ferry pleased that +Mistress MacLean will pe.' + +In the dark, smoky hut the party were accommodated with seats, and Mrs. +MacLean went to fetch milk and oat-cakes according to Highland ideas of +hospitality. + +'You will pe out early,' said Rob MacLean. 'Ferry fine day this, and +exercise iss good for the health.' + +'Yes, Mr. MacLean,' said Allan abruptly; 'we came to speak to you about +Neil.' + +Instantly the Highlander's countenance underwent a change. + +'You hev?' he said. 'Poor Neil, it iss a ferry bad business whateffer; +a ferry bad business for the puir lad.' + +'Yes,' replied Allan, 'of course we don't believe that Neil had +anything to do with robbing the post-office.' + +'That iss right, Master Allan; that is right,' said the Highlander. +'No, puir lad; no one who will pe knowing him will hev been pelieving +that of him; and it wass ferry hard that efferything went against him +at the trial, whateffer.' + +'Well, Mr. MacLean, we came to see whether you could help us,' said +Allan; 'we have made a compact, and promised not to rest until we have +found out that Neil didn't really do it, and have him brought home +again.' + +'Proud to hear you say so, Mr. Allan;' broke out the Highlander; 'and +hev you ahl made a compact, the young ladies too?' + +'Yes,' replied Tricksy, dimpling; 'we are all in it; Marjorie and I, +and even Laddie.--Down, Laddie; don't jump up on me,' as the collie, +who had been sitting with an amiable expression in the centre of the +group, sprang up and put one paw on her knee. + +'Ferry proud indeed that you should hev done so,' repeated Mr. +MacLean.--'My tear,' he added, turning to his wife, who had re-entered +the cottage with a pitcher of milk; 'these young ladies and gentlemen +will hev been making a compact that they will help Neil, and prove that +he hass not committed the robbery.' + +The woman, who knew very little English, replied in Gaelic, and the +young folk took up that language, somewhat to the relief of MacLean, +who prided himself on his knowledge of the Saxon tongue but found it +easier to sustain a conversation in his own. + +'That would be a great comfort to Neil, did he only know of it, and to +his mother too,' he said. 'Poor lad, I wish we could send him a +message.' + +'Does any one know where he has gone?' inquired Reggie. + +'Some one must know, Master Reggie, since he could hardly have got +clear away without help; but we do not know how he managed his escape. +Some say that he went away with the gipsies that left Inchkerra the day +of the trial, for they put in at Stornwell harbour that same night; and +others think that it was smugglers who helped him. He will no doubt +try to escape to America; but the poor lad stands a thousand chances of +being caught before he gets there.' + +'Oh, I hope not,' cried the girls. + +'I don't know, young ladies. If there was any chance of his being +cleared, it might be better for him to stand his trial. It is a very +strange thing indeed, how everything seemed to point to his being +guilty.' + +'Then do you think some one has been trying to make him appear so?' + +'I don't know, Master Reggie. It is very mysterious indeed who can +have done it. The police made an inspection of the gipsy camp, but +there seemed to be no evidence against them. Well, we are all very +pleased that you are so kindly disposed towards Neil, and we can only +hope that you or some one else may be able to find out who really did +it. If you must go, young ladies and gentlemen, will you not look in +at Mrs. Macdonnell's cottage and tell her that you have resolved to +help Neil? Poor soul, she is very sorrowful, and it might comfort her +to know what true friends her son has.' + +'Do you think she would care to be disturbed to-day?' said Marjorie, +somewhat doubtfully. + +'I think she would be very glad to see you, Miss Marjorie, when you +come on such an errand.' + +Mrs. MacLean said nothing; but she filled the young people's pockets +with oat-cakes, and stood watching them as they walked soberly along +the path. + +'It's too late to go to Mrs. Macdonnell before dinner-time,' said +Allan, who seemed to be glad of an excuse to postpone so trying an +interview. 'You'd better come with us, Hamish and Marjorie; it's +half-past twelve now; much too late for you to go home.' + +Places were found for the MacGregors at the hospitable table of +Ardnavoir; and after dinner, Tricksy drew her mother aside, while +Marjorie lingered to hear what Mrs. Stewart would say. + +'Mummie,' said Tricksy, 'Rob MacLean wants us to go and see Mrs. +Macdonnell and tell her that we don't believe that Neil stole the +letters. Do you think we can go?' + +'Perhaps you might, as Rob wishes you to do so,' replied her mother. +'Don't stay long, and don't talk much, for, poor woman, this has been a +terrible blow to her. Give her your message, and then say good-bye.' + +'Do you think we need to go too?' said Allan, as the young people were +discussing their intention. + +'Of course we must all be there,' declared Marjorie; 'it will encourage +her when she sees that we have all joined the compact.' + +'Whatever are you doing that for?' asked Allan, when he saw his little +sister gathering flowers in the garden. + +'They are for Mrs. Macdonnell,' said Tricksy, looking up with her soft, +dark eyes; 'I think she would be glad if we brought her some.' + +Allan said nothing, and Reggie's dark face looked approving. + +A walk of a mile or two brought the young folk to the heather-roofed +cottage where Mrs. Macdonnell lived. A dog rushed out and barked, but +wagged his tail when he saw who the visitors were. + +'Neil's dog,' said Allan; 'look how he speaks to Laddie. Poor Jock; +poor old fellow; come here.' + +'Where's your master, Jock; where's Neil?' said Reggie in a low voice, +as the dog came up to be petted. + +They knocked at the outer door, but there was no answer. After a +moment's hesitation, they pushed it open and knocked at the door of the +kitchen. + +'Come in,' said a faint voice; and they entered. + +A woman was sitting by the peat fire, with her neglected spinning-wheel +beside her. She was strikingly handsome, in spite of her mournful +expression and dejected attitude. Her black hair, as yet only slightly +touched with grey waved on either side of a broad low forehead, and she +had a straight nose like Neil's and a beautifully shaped face; but the +eyes which she raised at the children's entrance were full of sorrow. + +The boys hung about the doorway, and Marjorie felt a lump in her +throat; but Tricksy advanced courageously. + +'How do you do, Mrs. Macdonnell?' she said, with a little gurgle in her +voice, that expressed more than she had the power to say in words. +'Mother said we might come and see you; and we thought you might like +some flowers.' + +'Eh, Miss Tricksy, what a pretty posy! It wass ferry good of you to +come. Tek a seat, Miss Marjorie. Will you be finding places, young +gentlemen?' + +'I hope you are pretty well, Mrs. Macdonnell?' said Marjorie, in a +voice which she could not keep from trembling a little. + +'Pretty fair, thank you, Miss Marjorie,' replied Mrs. Macdonnell, while +Reggie and Hamish sat very stiffly upon their chairs, and Allan had +much ado to keep from fidgeting. + +'We thought you would like to know, Mrs. Macdonnell,' began Tricksy; +'Bob MacLean said we might tell you; we wanted to say--Allan does, and +we all do--that we _know_ Neil couldn't have done such a thing, and we +have made a compact, all of us--Marjorie and Hamish and Euan Macdonnell +too--that we will never rest until we find out that he didn't do it, +and bring him home again. I thought you would be glad, Mrs. +Macdonnell; for Allan and Hamish are going to try very hard, and Euan +will do his best to help us.' + +Mrs. Macdonnell's eyes glistened. + +'It iss ferry good of you ahl, I am sure,' she said; then after a pause +she added, 'Indeed it is proud I am to know that my puir laddie----' + +Her voice became husky and then failed; and feeling that the interview +had lasted long enough, the girls kissed her and they all took leave, +wondering whether they had done harm or good by their visit. + +'One thing we might do,' said Allan, after they had trudged for awhile +in a somewhat uncomfortable silence, 'we might take a look at Andrew +MacPeters.' + +'Yes, let's get something done,' said Reggie; 'where do you think we +shall find him?' + +'I heard that he was cutting peats on the hillside,' said Allan; 'isn't +that a cart over there, and two men stacking peats?' + +'Yes, that is Andrew MacPeters,' said Reggie, when they had advanced a +little nearer; 'the red-headed man on this side.' + +'Fine day, young ladies and gentlemen,' said the farther-away man; but +Andrew only gave them a sidelong look out of his red-lidded eyes. + +'Fine day,' replied Allan civilly; then they all stood still and looked +at Andrew, who went on stolidly with his work. + +'Let's come to the post-office now,' said Allan, and they all trudged +away. + +'Eh, young ladies and gentlemen, pleased to see you,' said Mrs. +MacAlister in her lilting Gaelic; 'eh, but it's been a weary business +since you were here last! Poor Neil, poor laddie!' + +'Yes, Mrs. MacAlister,' said Marjorie; 'and of course we are all quite +sure that Neil had nothing to do with it.' + +'So are we all, Miss Marjorie; but the hard thing is to prove it. +Things looked very black against him when the order came out of the +poor lad's very letter, and he the only person who had been in the +house that night. Wait a bit, young ladies and gentlemen, and I'll +fetch my husband; he's been bad with the rheumatism but he's working in +the garden now,' and the good woman departed, leaving the field clear +for the young people. + +'Look,' said Allan, 'there are the letters lying on the table. They've +been taken out of the box, and they're waiting now until Mrs. +MacAlister is ready to stamp them. The door's open, and any one can +come in and out. It wouldn't be difficult to rob a post-office like +this!' + +Just then the door opened, and Andrew MacPeters came slouching in, +looking very awkward when he saw who were in the shop. The visitors +all watched him as he made his way clumsily across the room to fetch +something that he wanted; and when he came near the table Reggie said +suddenly, 'Been taking anything from here lately, Andrew?' + +The man looked at him with a surly gleam in his eyes but did not +answer. After a minute or two he went out, all eyes following him +curiously. + +'There,' said Reggie triumphantly, 'did you see what a bad conscience +he has?' and they all looked at each other in silent assent. + +Declining Mrs. MacAlister's invitation to stay to tea, they trooped out +of the post-office. + +'We'll watch that man,' said Reggie, and Tricksy began to walk on the +tips of her toes in anticipation. + +'Hulloa, young people, glad I've overtaken you,' said the doctor's +voice behind them. 'It's just going to pour with rain, and you're due +at my house to tea, I believe. It's lucky I have the closed carriage; +jump in as many of you as it will hold, and the rest of you can sit on +the box.' + +By the time the doctor's house was reached the rain had stopped, and +the sun was peeping out again. A scrap of white paper fluttering on +the ruins attracted Reggie's attention, and he ran across the garden, +climbed the wall, and captured it. + +After looking at it he gave a violent start, then ran towards the house. + +'It's a postal order,' he said, giving it to the doctor; 'what's the +meaning of this?' + +All clustered round, and the doctor took the piece of paper and +examined it. + +'Strange thing,' he exclaimed; 'this order bears the number of one of +those that went missing on the night of the robbery. How did it come +there? It's wet with the rain, but not very dirty; probably hasn't +been there long. This ought to shed some fresh light upon the case. +I'll have the police to make a thorough search of the ruins.' + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +A DISCOVERY + +'Reggie,' said Allan, 'there they are at last.' + +Reggie slid down from the garden wall, looked towards the road, and +said, 'Where?' + +'They're behind that hill now. They'll be here in no time. You'd +better call Tricksy, and tell her to be ready.' + +Reggie went into the house, and called, standing at the foot of the +staircase, 'Tricksy, it's Graham major and Graham minor with their +Pater; and they're almost here.' + +Tricksy came downstairs and waited in the hall, somewhat shyly, beside +her brothers. + +'Oh, I do hope they will be nice,' she whispered apprehensively to +Reggie, as the dog-cart drew up at the door. + +A tall pleasant-faced gentleman was beside the driver, and two boys +were on the back seat wrapped in Inverness capes, and with caps drawn +over their brows as a protection against the wind. + +As Mr. and Mrs. Stewart were receiving their guests in the hall, Reggie +and Tricksy had an opportunity of observing the boys. One was dark, +about twelve years of age; thin, alert, with bright, restless hazel +eyes; and the other was about as old as Reggie, with blue eyes and +reddish-golden hair; almost too pretty to be a boy, Reggie thought; +while Tricksy said to herself that he looked rather "nice."' + +After greeting the grown-up folk, the new-comers turned to encounter +Tricksy's solemn, dark eyes and Reggie's bright, twinkling ones. +Tricksy shook hands very shyly, and Reggie a little stiffly; then the +visitors were taken upstairs to prepare for lunch. + +Tricksy turned to Reggie, whose countenance wore a non-committal +expression; then she looked at Allan and heaved a little sigh. + +'What do you think of them, Tricksy?' inquired Allan. + +'Well, I think the little one looks rather nice, but the other is a +little proud.' + +'Do you think they'd care about our Pirates' Island, and all that?' +asked Reggie doubtfully. + +'Of course they would. They're no end of a good sort. Hush, they're +coming downstairs again.' + +'Are you tired after the steamer?' Allan asked his guest during lunch. + +'A bit, not very,' replied the elder lad, whose name was Harry. 'Feel +a bit as though the floor was rocking.' + +'You'll feel like that until you've had a night's rest, anyway,' said +Allan. 'Are you too tired to do anything this afternoon?' + +'Not at all,' answered his friend. 'Gerald, you're game to do +something after lunch, aren't you?' + +His brother, who had been trying to make a conversation with Reggie, +while Tricksy sat shyly on his other side, looked up with a smile. + +'The steamer went close under some fine rocks, not far from the +village,' he said; 'very high ones, with birds sitting in rows, all the +way up, and making an awful screaming.' + +'Yes,' said Allan, 'those are the Skegness Cliffs, a great +nesting-place of the birds. We'll take you there after lunch, if it's +not too far.' + +The boys looked pleased, and as soon as freed from the restraint of +their elders' presence they ran to fetch their caps and demanded to be +taken to the rocks. + +'We had better not go so soon, I think,' said Allan. 'We are expecting +Hamish and Marjorie, our friends from Corranmore, and we'll ask them to +go with us. There's a jolly burn that runs quite near the house; +suppose we go and fish in it until they come.' + +Fishing-tackle was found for the entire party, and they proceeded to +the banks of the burn, which trickled down the hill-side and across a +meadow, widening into little pools fringed with ragged-robin and queen +o' the meadow; and finally falling in a little cascade down to the +shore. + +'What a fine dog this is of yours,' observed Gerald, caressing Laddie, +who had been fawning upon the new-comers, and now ended by sitting down +between Gerald and Tricksy. + +Tricksy looked gratified. + +'He's my dog,' she said. 'He likes you, I think.' + +Gerald stroked Laddie's head and his white ruffle, and the dog made a +little sound to express gratification. + +'Tricksy, keep your dog quiet, he'll frighten away the trout,' sang out +Allan warningly; and Tricksy requested Laddie to 'trust.' + +The sun shone down upon green grass and brown pools, and drew out the +perfume of the flowers and heather. Not far distant was the pleasant +noise of the sea, and the calling of the gulls answered the plaintive +cry of the plovers which fluttered about the moor and the meadows. + +The day was too bright, and the trout which could be seen at the bottom +of the pools refused to take. After a little while the strong fresh +air and sun began to have a drowsy effect upon the anglers. + +Gerald rubbed his eyes once or twice, and stifled a yawn; and Tricksy +found that he was disinclined for conversation. + +'Hulloa!' cried a voice from the top of a ridge; and Marjorie and +Hamish came racing down. Laddie's welcoming bark roused Gerald, who +jumped into a sitting posture, and looked about him in a surprised way. + +'Hulloa, Marjorie,' said Allan; 'glad you've come. This is Harry +Graham, and this is Gerald.' + +Marjorie looked at the new-comers with approval, and Hamish shook hands +good-naturedly. + +'Are we going to fish all afternoon,' said Marjorie, 'or shall we take +a scramble?' + +'A scramble,' replied Reggie; 'they want to see the rocks.' + +'If Gerald isn't too tired,' put in Tricksy considerately; 'he was +asleep a minute ago.' + +'No,' protested Gerald, flushing and looking very much vexed; 'I +wasn't. I'm quite ready for a walk.' + +'Suppose we take them to the Smugglers' Caves,' suggested Marjorie. +'They're the finest sight in the island, I think.' + +At the mention of smugglers Harry's eyes began to sparkle, and Gerald's +blue ones opened very wide. + +'Are there--are there any smugglers there now?' asked Harry. + +'Sometimes there are,' replied Marjorie, 'but I don't expect we shall +meet any. Smuggling isn't what it used to be,' she added somewhat +regretfully. + +'What luck if we could only come across some,' said Harry. 'Let's go +and see the caves anyhow.' + +'It's a long walk, across moors and bogs, and steep hills,' said +Marjorie; 'but if you're game, come along.' + +Harry, walking beside Reggie, looked at the girl's slight, erect figure +as she went in front with Gerald. + +'Does she always do what you fellows do?' he inquired, rather +doubtfully. + +'Of course she does,' replied Reggie; 'she's fifteen years old, you +know; a year older than Allan.' + +Harry looked at her again, and considered. + +'Bit of a tomboy, isn't she?' he inquired again. + +'An awful tomboy. We've got her into the way of doing all kinds of +things. She couldn't be much jollier if she was a boy.' + +Harry took another look at her. + +'Has she a bit of a temper?' he asked unexpectedly. + +'A bit,' acknowledged Reggie, somewhat disconcerted, 'when she's +roused, you know. She's fond of her own way; and she and Allan used to +quarrel a good deal at one time; but they seem to have made it up now.' + +Reggie added to himself that there was no time to quarrel, now that +every one's thoughts were occupied with Neil. + +Harry looked at Marjorie again. + +'Does she ever quarrel with you?' he asked. + +'N--no, not much,' he replied, his face darkening slightly. + +Harry looked at Marjorie's tall young figure, and then at Reggie's +smaller and slighter one, and arrived at the conclusion which +particularly annoyed Reggie; that the girl disdained to quarrel with a +boy so much younger than herself. + +Marjorie turned her bright face towards them. + +'Find it tiring, walking on the heather?' she said. 'It's very +fatiguing when you're not accustomed to it. We might take a rest after +we've climbed this hill; there's a beautiful view from the top.' + +It was a steep climb, and when they reached the summit, all the young +folk were glad to fling themselves down on the short, fragrant heather. + +The breeze came laden with the scent of wild thyme and heather and salt +from the sea; and the only live creatures save themselves were the +mountain sheep and the crested plovers, and grey gulls which wheeled +above the heads of the wayfarers. + +Harry looked about him with brightening eyes. + +'What an awfully jolly place this is of yours,' he said. 'I say, you +_do_ see a lot from the top of this hill.' + +He was right. The hill crest commanded a view of nearly the whole +island, with green fields and moors, and the white roads stretching +across them; houses and cottages in their little gardens; and the +village with the pier jutting out into the sea. One or two larger +islands were in the distance; brown rocks and skerries lying like dots +upon the blue water; and away to the east the Highland hills rose among +the clouds. + +'It must be awfully jolly, having an island all to yourselves,' +continued Harry. + +'Yes,' replied Marjorie, perched on a boulder, 'and it's jollier still +to have an island of your very own, where no one comes but ourselves, +and we can do exactly as we like.' + +'Where's that?' inquired Harry. + +'I may tell them, mayn't I?' asked Marjorie of the others. + +'Of course you may,' replied Allan; 'we must take them there some day +soon.' + +Marjorie slipped down from her perch. + +'Do you see the little island over there?' she said, pointing +southwards; 'a little black dot on the water, with some bright green in +the middle of it? Well, that's our _own_ island which we have all to +ourselves, and we've made a place in it that we call our secret +hiding-place or Pirates' Den. We must show it to you some day.' + +The boys stood up and gazed out to sea, their eyes widening and +brightening. + +'I say, this is jolly,' they murmured, rather than said to any one in +particular. + +'Hamish,' said Allan, who had been looking at some object on the +southern side of the island; 'is that your father's gig, that has just +stopped before Mrs. Macdonnell's cottage?' + +Hamish looked in the direction indicated. + +'Yes, I believe it is,' he said. 'It must be true then, what we heard +Duncan say, that Mrs. Macdonnell is very ill.' + +Such a grieved silence fell upon the island young people that the +Grahams looked at them inquiringly. + +'They said that she would fall ill,' said Marjorie in a low voice, +'if--if she continued to fret so about----' + +Allan pushed his cap to the back of his head, and Reggie looked hard in +the direction of the cottage, where the black dot was still standing by +the gate. + +'Nothing else found in the ruins?' said Allan in an undertone. + +'Nothing yet,' replied Hamish; 'the police are still trying to follow +up the clue----' + +Marjorie's eyes encountered those of the guests, and she looked at +Allan and Reggie. + +'Are you going to let them know about it?' she asked. 'Might as well, +you know; for they are sure to hear of it before long.' + +Allan put his hands in his pockets and reflected; then he consulted +Reggie with a look, after which he turned to Hamish. 'Perhaps we might +as well tell them,' he said, and the others consented. + +'Well, Graham major and Graham minor,' he began, to the boys who were +waiting expectantly; 'we are very much bothered about a friend of +ours;' and he told them about the robbery of the post-office and Neil's +flight, while the boys listened with wide-open mouths, throwing +themselves about and uttering exclamations of interest. + +'You say that you are quite sure he couldn't have taken the letters?' +asked Harry, drawing himself into an upright position on the heather. + +'Perfectly certain,' replied Allan. 'He would no more have done it +than you or I. No one who knows him would believe such a thing of +Neil.' + +'Oh!' interposed Tricksy, in a shocked tone, 'I think Dr. MacGregor +believed it.' + +Hamish became very red and Marjorie's lips tightened. + +'And he's so awfully, awfully jolly,' pursued Harry. + +'One of the very jolliest people we know,' answered Marjorie. 'Father +doesn't really believe it of him. He did everything for us, and was up +to all kinds of inventions. We don't seem to have any fun at all +without him.' + +'It's a most extraordinary story,' said Harry, jerking himself into a +fresh attitude; and both the new boys sat and pondered. + +'What do you say to letting them both join the Compact?' suggested +Reggie. + +Marjorie's eyes said yes; and Hamish, whom Allan consulted with a look, +gave a nod. + +'What's that; a Compact?' inquired Harry eagerly. + +'It's an agreement that we've all made,' said Allan, 'that we'll back +Neil up, and show that he didn't commit the robbery.' + +'Hooray, what fun,' said Harry; 'I'm game.' + +'You might let Gerald join too,' cried Tricksy from where she sat +beside her new friend; 'he's quite the right sort, and he only wants to +learn a thing or two to be equal to any of us.' + +Gerald wriggled, and blushed to the roots of his golden hair. + +'Well, then, you must do all you can to help us,' said Allan, 'and see +whether you can find out who really did it.' + +'All right,' said Harry; 'I'll help you to catch the thief.' + +'And you must sign an agreement like the rest of us, and you can each +have a copy to carry about with you always, as we do. See, this is the +principal copy, that I have to take care of.' + +'You can write it out now, with Allan's new fountain pen,' cried +Tricksy; 'this flat stone will do for a desk, and I've got some pieces +of paper that I've been carrying in my pocket in case we might find any +new people to join our Compact;' and she produced with great gravity +some crumpled sheets of note-paper, much soiled at the edges. + +'All right,' said Allan, 'this is the agreement; "We hereby promise +never to rest until we show that Neil is innocent and have him brought +home again."' + +Reggie held the papers down to keep them from blowing away, while Allan +made out fresh copies of the agreement; then all the documents received +the signature of Harry, who wrote his name with much ceremony and +handed the pen to Gerald. + +'What an awful lark,' said Harry, who had clambered on to the boulder +and sat swinging his legs; 'it will be fine fun tracking the thief.' + +Allan began to whistle. + +'We haven't found much to track yet,' he said; 'neither have the +police, who have been at it nearly three weeks. The less you talk +about it the better, except among ourselves, for it isn't a game, this.' + +'Come along,' said Marjorie, springing up, as Harry looked somewhat +crestfallen, 'we've dawdled long enough; let's run down the side of the +hill, and then we shan't take long to get to the cliffs.' + +'All right,' said Harry briskly, 'let's go to the Smugglers' Caves; oh, +I say, what a jolly island this is!' + +All started to run down the steep descent, bounding from one tuft of +heather to the other, their speed increasing as they neared the bottom. + +Allan, Marjorie, and Reggie reached level ground at about the same +time; then they turned to look at Harry and Gerald, who arrived next, +looking somewhat shaken, and Hamish, who had stopped to help Tricksy. + +'Not far now to the caves,' said Marjorie encouragingly. 'Do you see +that headland, stretching far out into the sea? They are on the side +farthest away from us. Tired, Tricksy?' + +'Not at all,' protested the child, stepping alone and trying to hide a +little roll in her gait, although her small face was beginning to look +pale. + +Reggie glanced at her approvingly as Tricksy toiled along beside +Hamish, hoping that no one observed that she was hanging on to big hand. + +'Oh, what a height from the ground,' said Gerald in an awed tone of +voice, as the moor ended abruptly and they found themselves gazing down +from the crest of what seemed a sheer precipice, with long lines of +breakers falling upon the strip of sand at the foot. 'What a +disturbance the birds are making, and what strange noises there are.' + +'It's the waves echoing among the rocks,' said Marjorie. 'You must +come here some stormy day when the tide is up; the caves get flooded +and the noise is just like thunder.' + +'If you'll come a little further along,' said Allan, 'there's a break +in the cliffs where we can get down pretty easily. The tide is out, so +we have lots of time.' + +'Can we really climb down there,' said Harry, as they came to where a +chasm opened in the line of cliff, with rough steps and ledges of rock +standing out in the riven walls. Not a bird was to be seen in the +gloomy crevasse; although the skuas and black-backed gulls were flying +about and clamouring before the face of the cliff. + +'Come along,' said Allan on the first step. 'Are you a good climber, +Harry?' + +'Pretty fair,' replied Harry, with a rather wild look in his eyes. +Gerald said nothing, but swung himself down with a serious countenance. + +'If any one wants help, just sing out,' cried Allan, descending by the +rocky steps. 'Don't look down, and you'll be all right.' + +'Take my hand, Gerald,' said Tricksy graciously to Gerald, who +hesitated at a perilous-looking gap. + +Gerald flushed pink, and pretended not to have heard the offer of +assistance; and the two strangers braced themselves to their +unaccustomed feat. + +The way led round the chasm and downward, sometimes approaching the +face of the cliff, where the inquisitive eyes and red bills of the +puffins peered out of the crevices, and whole rows of auks and +kittiwakes were thrown into violent agitation by the sight of the +intruders; and sometimes leading back to the dark interior of the +chasm. The place was full of echoes; the hollow boom of the breakers, +the swirling of water round half-submerged rocks, the hoarse cries of +the gulls and the shrill scream of the smaller sea-birds joining in an +uproar which made the air tremble. Many a time, during the descent, it +cost the new-comers an effort to avoid being overcome by dizziness. + +At last Allan reached the last ledge, and swung himself to the ground; +Reggie and Marjorie followed; Tricksy came last, and the Grahams +dropped down with an air of relief. + +'Well done for you,' said Allan approvingly; 'it's your first climb of +the kind, and you haven't shown an atom of funk.' + +Gerald's cheeks became a little redder, and Harry bore himself with +greater self-consciousness. + +'Only Hamish now,' said Allan, looking up at the cliff; 'how cautiously +the old fellow is coming down; he has the steadiest head of the lot of +us although he is so slow.' + +'"Sleepy Hamish,"' remarked Harry to Gerald in an aside, repeating a +nickname which he had heard Allan use. Low as the words were spoken, +Marjorie heard them, and turned upon the boy like a flash. + +'Some people have more in them than they make a show of,' she said. +'Perhaps you don't understand that kind of thing, though.' + +Harry did not chance to have a reply ready, but he observed to Reggie +afterwards that it was a pity Marjorie seemed to be a quick-tempered +kind of a girl. + +'Here we are,' said Allan, pausing beneath a great overhanging archway, +and speaking loudly so as to be heard above the din; for the waves and +the clamouring of the birds made a noise which was almost deafening. + +'Can we go in?' asked Gerald. + +'Of course we can. There's no danger except in a westerly gale. It's +dark after you get in a little way.' + +The young people scrambled and slipped over the sea-weed at the mouth +of the cave, and presently found themselves standing on a floor of +light-coloured sand, strewn with shells and sea-drift. The sides of +the cave were black and shiny with wet, and water dripped slowly from +the roof. + +'Is this where the smugglers used to come?' asked Gerald in an awed +tone. + +'Yes,' replied Allan; 'the schooners used to sail under the rocks on +moonlight nights when the tide was high, and the cargo was stored in +the caves until the people came secretly to take it away. It was very +dangerous work sometimes, for if a storm comes from the west the caves +are often flooded.' + +The light which glimmered under the archway did not penetrate far, and +the young people were soon in total darkness. The air was damp and +chilly. Strange draughts crossed each other from unexpected quarters, +and the water dripping from overhead, awoke weird echoes which seemed +to be repeated among far-reaching clefts and passages. + +'Strike a light, Hamish,' said Allan, 'and let them see what kind of a +place they're in.' + +The match spluttered and blazed, revealing dark rocks gleaming with wet +and the black openings to what appeared to be a series of underground +passages branching off from the main one. + +'The caves are all connected with one another,' explained Allan, 'and +have separate openings to the sea. Light up again, Hamish; strike two +this time, and they'll get a better idea.' + +Again there was a splutter, and the flare revealed strange shifting +shadows among the rocks, and a circle of faces that looked unnaturally +white in the surrounding darkness. + +Reggie's eyes were the sharpest. + +'Hullo!' he exclaimed, 'there's something in that passage. What can it +be?' + +All crowded to examine the mysterious object, and the light flickered +upon a pile of kegs and bales lying half-concealed behind a corner of +rock. + +'Smugglers!' declared Marjorie. + +'Looks like it,' said Allan, as Hamish struck fresh matches and the +others crowded round, giving utterance to ohs! and ahs! of excitement. + +'They're at their old trade again,' said Allan, examining the barrels; +'I wonder what Pater will say to this?' + +'That's the last match, Allan,' said Hamish, as the light flickered out. + +The darkness seemed to come down like a weight, and the young people +found themselves groping for each other's hands. + +'We had better make the best of our way out of this,' said Allan. 'Try +to move quietly, for we don't know who might be about. Help Tricksy, +Hamish; I think she's by you, and here, Tricksy, give me your other +hand.' + +They groped their way towards the entrance, and soon were in the strong +sunshine at the mouth of the caves. + +'Well,' said Allan, 'that was an adventure;' and they looked at one +another with varying expressions. + +'Do you think they may have had anything to do with the robbery?' said +Marjorie. + +'Shouldn't wonder,' replied Allan. 'Anyhow, we'll see what Pater says.' + +'In the meanwhile,' said Marjorie, 'we had better be quick; the +breakers are close under the rocks, and we're almost cut off already.' + +A stream of foaming, angry-looking water was running up into a hollow +on the shore, and the young folk could only escape by jumping on to a +stone in the middle of the flood, and from thence to the other side. + +'Jump, Tricksy,' cried Reggie half impatiently, as his little sister +hesitated. + +Tricksy, who was pale and overwrought, sprang, but fell short and +plunged overhead in the water. + +Instantly two or three were in the flood, trying to prevent her being +swept out to sea. + +Allan secured her; and gasping, struggling, with water running over her +face, Tricksy was pulled on to dry land. + +'It isn't so very bad, is it, Tricksy?' inquired Reggie, in a tone of +somewhat forced cheerfulness; 'what a thing to do, to jump in when +you're told to jump over!' + +Tricksy tried to smile; a miserable attempt, for her teeth chattered +and her lips were blue with the cold. + +'Run to Rob MacLean's cottage, Reggie,' said Hamish, throwing off his +coat and wrapping it round Tricksy; 'ask him to lend us his pony, and +we'll take Tricksy to Corranmore; it's nearer than your house.' + +With Hamish running by her side and holding her on to the pony, Tricksy +was not long in reaching Corranmore, and when the others arrived she +was already in bed, with Mrs. MacGregor beside her; the little girl +drinking hot milk and trying to restrain the tears that _would_ roll +down her cheeks, even when she forced herself to laugh. + +'Feeling better, Tricksy?' asked Reggie apprehensively. + +'She has had a nasty fall,' said Mrs. MacGregor somewhat reproachfully, +'and we may be thankful it is not any worse. She can't possibly go +home to-night; you had better tell your parents that she is safe with +us.' + +A look of relief overspread Tricksy's tired features. + +'Oh, you _are_ a dear,' she exclaimed, springing up and throwing her +arms round Mrs. MacGregor's neck, forgetting that the lady had once +said that Tricksy Stewart was a spoilt little girl. 'Hooray, I'll +sleep with Marjorie and we can talk about what we have seen to-day!' + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +THE SIEGE + +'No, Mr. Allan,' Duncan was declaring, 'if I wass you, I would not pe +telling the laird whateffer; it can do no good pringing honest folk +into trouble.' + +'But they are not honest folk if they're smugglers,' interposed Reggie, +who had been listening to the conversation without joining in. + +A peculiar expression flitted across Duncan's face. + +'Well, but, Mr. Allan,' he maintained; 'I'm just telling you, that it +will pe petter if you will not pe telling the laird; you will only pe +meking trouble in the island and will pe doing no good at ahl, at ahl.' + +'But what if it was they who robbed the post-office?' said Allan. + +'Robbed the post-office, Mr. Allan!' cried Duncan; 'what will they pe +doing that for? Not them, Mr. Allan! So do not pe meking trouble by +telling the laird----' + +'But we _have_ told him,' said Reggie. + +'Dear, dear, Mr. Allan and Master Reggie,' said Duncan with a vexed +face; 'what will you haf peen doing that for? That wass a treatful +thing to do, to pe tale-bearers. Tear me; and what iss to pe done now?' + +'But, Duncan, smuggling is against the law, and it will be their own +fault----' + +'Well, but, Mr. Allan, you will pe for punishing folks that iss not +deserving to pe punished if you do such a foolish thing ass to pring +the police to them, and--och! Mr. Allan, Mr. Allan, why can't young +folks hev some sense! What iss to pe done now, after all you young +ladies and gentlemen hev tone such a senseless thing!' + +Duncan's evident excitement showed that argument was in vain; and there +was something in his manner that tended to convince the boys, against +their better judgment, that they had done wrong in speaking of their +discovery. They wandered down to the cricket-field, where the Grahams +were indulging in a solitary practice. + +'We'd better go and play with these fellows,' said Allan; 'we can't +leave them to amuse themselves all the time.' + +Presently the sound of wheels caused them to look round, and they saw +the doctor's gig turning in at the gate, with Tricksy on the front seat +beside Dr. MacGregor, and Marjorie and Hamish behind. + +'Brought you back the missing one,' cried the doctor to Mrs. Stewart, +who had come to the door to meet them; 'none the worse for her bath;' +and Tricksy jumped down and ran into the playing field followed more +slowly by the other two. + +'Come along and have a game,' cried Reggie; but the new-comers appeared +to have something on their minds. They stood eyeing one another in an +embarrassed way; Hamish looking sheepish and Marjorie mischievous; +while Tricksy's little flushed face was breaking into dimples, and both +girls displayed an inclination to giggle. + +'Wait a minute,' whispered Tricksy, as Allan came towards them, and +Marjorie said to her in a sharp undertone, 'Go on, can't you, and don't +be silly.' + +Thus admonished, Tricksy composed herself into gravity and produced a +large piece of cardboard with ornamental lettering from which she read +the following:-- + + +PROCLAMATION + +TO THE BOYS OP ARDNAVOIR + +We, the undersigned, hereby declare war against you. We challenge you +to open combat at our Fort. You must give us warning at what date and +time you will attack us. Any advantage gained in not attending to +these rules will be considered unfair. Any weapons allowed except +stones. + +(_Signed_) 'HAMISH MACGREGOR, + 'MARJORIE, + 'TRICKSY.' + + +'Our Fort is the hut, of course, in you-know-where,' added Marjorie; +'and the challenging party have the right to choose whether they will +be besiegers or defenders, advantages to be as equal as possible. +That's all,' she concluded, with a sudden lapse into her usual manner. + +The two new boys had been listening with all their might. + +'Whatever does she mean?' they asked in an aside, turning to Reggie. + +'It's a challenge,' said Reggie. 'Let's hear what Allan says.' + +Allan was considering. + +'Shall we accept now, Reggie?' he asked. + +Reggie thought the combat might as well take place without delay; and +Allan replied to the Proclamation in these terms: + +'The Challenge is accepted. We will meet you at the Fort. You will be +the garrison, as there are fewer of you, and we'll attack.--Come along.' + +'Call the dogs, Reggie,' said Marjorie. 'Do you like sieges?' she +asked Gerald, as they were on their way to the shore. + +'Awful fun,' replied the fair-haired boy, whose pink and white face was +fast becoming tanned by wind and sun. + +'What weapons are to be used?' asked Marjorie, turning quickly to the +others. + +'Turfs,' replied Allan, 'and lumps of wet sea-weed if you like.' + +Marjorie gave a little jump as though she were pleased. + +The boat was launched, and cut swiftly through the transparent water, +while the new boys looked around with expectant faces. + +'What an awfully jolly place,' they said, as they sprang out on the +beach. 'Awful fun, having an island of your own to do as you like +with.' + +'Half-an-hour allowed for gathering ammunition,' called out Marjorie. +'We'll show Harry and Gerald over the place when we've had our fight. +We had better defend from the roof of the cottage, for we might pull +down the walls if we defended from the inside.' + +Some time was spent in digging clods of turf, a quantity of which was +piled on the roof of the hut for the defenders, while the attackers +disposed theirs in little heaps at a short distance from the fort. + +'Now for the sea-weed,' cried Marjorie; 'nothing like getting a heap of +wet tang thrown in your face when you're fighting.' + +The tide was far out, and quantities of wet sea-weed lay exposed on the +rocks. + +'No stones to be taken,' said Allan, sawing through the tough, thick +stalks with a large pocket-knife. + +'How do you like our way of playing?' asked Marjorie of Harry, as she +passed him, grasping in each hand a mass of wet sea-weed which dripped +down on her frock and shoes. + +'Awful fun,' replied the boy, his eyes sparkling with excitement. + +'Come along then, I think we've got enough.' + +She swung herself nimbly on to the roof, followed by Hamish and +Tricksy. The wind was freshening, and sang in their ears, making them +feel excited and eager for the fray. + +'It's rather stormy,' said Harry; 'do you think we'll get back?' + +'Of course,' said Marjorie; 'why, this is nothing! We like it to be a +little stormy, it's better fun. Call the others,' and they shouted for +the rest of the attacking party, who came hurrying, armed with +missiles. Laddie and Carlo followed in the rear, suspending their +operations among the rabbit burrows to see what was going to happen. + +'To your post, Gerald,' shouted Allan; and Gerald made a dart towards +the besiegers, just in time to avoid being caught in a rain of clods +which hurtled through the air. + +Allan and Reggie showed great dexterity in avoiding the missiles, but +Harry and Gerald, not having had so much practice in this kind of +warfare, acted the part of unwilling targets, and their neat suits were +soon bespattered with mud. + +'All in the day's work, eh?' said Allan, as he hurried past Gerald, who +was somewhat ruefully wiping the dirt off his cheek with one hand; +'Awful fun, isn't it?' + +'Awfully jolly,' assented Gerald, trying not to think that in the +bottom of his heart there was a doubt. + +A fresh shower of sods came from the cottage, accompanied by shouts +both from besiegers and besieged; and Laddie, who had been looking on +with a puzzled face and trying to make out what was the matter, came to +the conclusion that his young friends were engaged in deadly warfare, +and rushed between the opposing sides with a bark and a wagging tail, +bent upon making peace. + +'Down, Laddie, down,' shouted Allan, as the dog jumped up to lick his +face, after running frenziedly from one side to the other; 'trust, sir! +Go and lie down;' and Laddie, looking heart-broken, retired to the turf +dyke and lay watching the fray in consternation. + +The battle raged long and furiously, neither side appearing to gain the +advantage. + +The attacking party pressed round the walls of the cottage, only to be +beaten back by the projectiles which were showered upon them. Nerving +themselves to fresh efforts, they rushed to the attack, Allan calm, +Reggie intrepid, and the two Grahams animated by the wildest excitement. + +Seeing one spot undefended, Gerald made a dash for it, and had already +one foot on the wall, preparatory to scaling the cottage, when 'swish' +came a lump of sea-weed in his face; and before he had recovered from +the shock a pair of strong hands seized him and Marjorie's voice +shouted, 'A prisoner!' + +A wild rush was made to effect a rescue, but Hamish came to Marjorie's +assistance, and Gerald was pulled kicking and struggling up on the roof. + +'Now you had better sit down quietly,' said Hamish; 'you can watch the +fight from behind the chimney,' and Gerald was reluctantly obliged to +remain inactive. + +Furious at the loss of one of their number, the attacking party +precipitated themselves against the walls of the fort and the battle +became fiercer than ever. For some time the issue appeared doubtful, +but gradually the besiegers gained a footing on the walls from which +they could not be dislodged. Panting, buffeted, they forced their way +upwards, while the defenders rained blows and clods upon them. + +With a shout of victory, Allan had swung himself on to the roof, when a +cry of dismay was raised. + +'The roof is giving way!' + +Hastily they all jumped, and not a minute too soon, for some gaping +holes appeared in the thatch, and there was a rumble of falling stones. + +'It's all right,' panted Marjorie; 'we can put that right in a +morning's work. Oh, wasn't it a first-rate fight!' + +'Capital,' agreed the others, and Tricksy's voice piped in. 'I fought +very well too, didn't I, Marjorie?' + +'Oh, very well,' replied Marjorie, who had been greatly hampered by +Tricksy getting in her way at critical moments. 'But I think we all +need a rest now, don't we?' + +No second suggestion was needed; and they all flung themselves on the +ground and lay where they were, letting the sea-breeze blow upon their +heated faces. + +'Awfully jolly,' murmured Gerald; 'I should like to have a fight like +that every day.' + +Harry lay stretched out with a restless face looking about him with +eyes that sparkled notwithstanding his fatigue, and kicking his heels +when he had the energy to do so. Had he been less completely +exhausted, he would have got up and explored the island, taking Gerald +with him, but a cricket match and a siege in one afternoon, following a +long walk in the morning, are as much as most boys are capable of. + +Presently Reggie jumped up. + +'Allan,' he said, 'don't you think we ought to be going?' + +Allan looked at the waves which were beginning to jostle one another in +mid-channel. + +'Just about time,' he said. + +'Couldn't we show them the inside of the house first,' said Marjorie; +'it won't take a minute.' + +'All right,' said Allan, 'but we must be quick.' + +'Is this where you stay when it is wet,' said Harry, as they pushed +open the door of the cottage. 'What a jolly place. Can you light +fires on the hearth?' + +'Of course we can,' said Marjorie, 'and bake bannocks--why, Allan; some +one has been here since we left!' + +'Nonsense,' said Allan, looking about him. 'Why, I declare, some one +has!' + +'There has been a fresh fire lighted on the hearth,' said Marjorie, +'and the things are not as we left them. There are marks like +footprints on the floor too.' + +'What impudence,' said Reggie, with a darkening face. 'We must put up +a notice board. No one has any business to come here except ourselves.' + +Allan had been looking about him, and he suddenly darted forward and +took possession of some object lying upon the floor. After a glance at +it he turned white, gave an odd little gasp and slipped it into his +pocket. + +'What is it, Allan?' asked the others, crowding around. + +'Nothing,' he said; 'nothing at all. I don't think any one has been +here; it's all fancy.' + +Reggie's eyes looked very much astonished at this change of front. + +'Come along,' said Allan impatiently; 'it's time we went home,' and he +swept them out of the cottage with so much decision that they obeyed, +looking at him with puzzled faces. + +'Hulloa!' cried Hamish; 'we had better be going.' + +'Going?' echoed Allan; 'why, yes, we have no time to lose. Come along, +all of you.' + +'What's the matter?' asked Harry of Marjorie as they hurried towards +the boat. + +'It's a very high tide,' she said. 'Soon there will be a dangerous +current flowing between the two islands, and if we get into it we might +be swept out to sea. We are allowed to have the boat on condition that +we watch the tide-ways; so we have to be careful.' + +It took some hard rowing to gain the opposite shore; and when they had +landed, Reggie turned to Hamish. 'A near thing that, eh, Hamish?' he +said; and they all looked at the dark swift current which filled the +channel. + +'Ten minutes later, and we couldn't have crossed,' said Marjorie. +'What do you think, Allan?' + +Despite the danger so recently escaped, Allan's thoughts were +wandering. He looked round abstractedly, and slid into his pocket some +object which he had been turning over unobserved; and Reggie fancied he +caught a glimpse of a sailor's knife with some elaborate carving on the +handle. + +Reggie looked at his brother with a gleam of curiosity in his eyes. + +'Come along,' said Allan authoritatively; 'don't let's stand dawdling +about.' + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +A CRUISE IN THE 'HEROIC' + +'I can't understand Allan at all,' declared Marjorie. She and Reggie, +armed with large pocket-knives, were engaged in cutting heather on the +moor, which stretched, a mass of purple, to the verge of the cliffs. A +pile of heather lay beside them, the result of an hour's hard sawing of +the wiry stems. + +Marjorie's remark had interrupted a busy silence. + +Reggie looked up with a twinkle in his eyes. He had been growing +thinner and browner during the summer, and his wrists came further +beyond the sleeves of his jacket. + +'What's the matter with Allan?' he asked. + +'Why,' said Marjorie impatiently, 'he is going on so oddly. First of +all, he wasn't to be found when we came here this morning--had been +away for hours--and he isn't usually in such a hurry to get up in the +holidays. Then when he comes back we all have to go off and get +heather to patch up the roof of the Pirates' Den. I can't make out why +he has grown so particular all of a sudden.' + +Reggie looked at her with a provoking smile. + +'I thought it was you who wanted the place kept water-tight,' he +suggested, 'in case we might be storm-stayed some evening and have to +spend the night there----' + +'That's all very well,' interrupted Marjorie, 'but that's not what's +making you and Allan so busy just now. Why did you go off together +yesterday, and stay away for such a time, leaving us to entertain your +guests? You're busy with something that you don't want us to know +about and I'd just like to find out what it is. It always irritates me +when people make mysteries out of nothing.' + +Reggie was looking grave, and his dark eyes studied Marjorie intently. + +'Hullo, you two,' said Allan, coming up; 'how are you getting on?' + +Marjorie rose up from the ground, and seated herself upon the pile of +cut heather. + +'I've just been telling Reggie that I know that you and he have a +secret between you,' she said, looking boldly at Allan. 'I'd just like +to know what it is. Hardly fair, I call it; keeping something from the +other members of the Compact----' + +She broke off upon seeing the grave, concerned expression in Allan's +eyes. + +'It's all right,' she said, looking fixedly out to sea; 'it's something +that you know you ought to keep from me, and I'm not going to find out +what it is.' + +She had become flushed, and her heart was beating fast as a suspicion +forced itself upon her. She turned, and stooping down, took up her +armful of heather. + +'I'm going to carry this to the boat,' she remarked, without looking +round. + +The boys looked after her retreating figure. + +'H'm,' said Allan, 'not bad for a girl.' + +Marjorie's reflections were interrupted by a about, and Harry came +running down the hill and caught her by the arm. + +'Well, what's the matter?' she asked irritably. + +'Look!' he panted, pulling her round. 'Look at that! Well, if you're +so cross you needn't, but you must be a duffer if you don't care to see +what's coming round that headland----' + +Marjorie's eyes followed in the direction pointed out by his shaking +finger, and her face cleared. + +A large vessel was gliding into view. + +Tricksy came running as fast as her little short legs would carry her, +the two dogs barking in her wake. + +'Marjorie,' she gasped, it's a man-o'-war; oh, don't you hope it's +that nice one that came last year!' + +By this time the vessel had been sighted by the others, who came down +to discuss the situation. + +'Perhaps she's a stranger,' suggested Hamish, feeling that it might be +better to prepare for a disappointment. + +'She's a fine big vessel, whatever she is,' said Harry. + +'She's like the one that was here last year,' said Marjorie. + +'Oh, don't you hope she's the same,' sighed Tricksy. + +'You are right, Marjorie,' said Reggie, whose eyes were the best; 'I'm +certain it's the old _Heroic_.' + +'What fun!' said Marjorie; while Tricksy sighed 'Oh, how nice!' + +'I wonder whether the same men are on board,' said Reggie, whose +serious expression had changed. + +'Don't know,' said Allan briefly, looking out to sea with his hands in +his pockets and a thoughtful face. + +His lack of enthusiasm caused all the others to look at him, and +Marjorie felt her fears revive. + +The man-of-war came to a standstill in Ardnavoir Bay and a boat put off +from her side. + +'Look, oh look,' cried Tricksy, 'they're coming on shore.' + +'Do you think they'll speak to us if they meet us?' inquired Harry, +whose eyes had never ceased to sparkle since the first discovery of the +vessel. + +'We'll go down to the landing-place as soon as the boat comes in,' said +Allan. + +'Can I go too?' asked Tricksy. + +Allan looked at her. + +'I think you two girls had better stay up here,' he said; and Tricksy's +face showed her disappointment. + +The boat was rapidly coming nearer, and soon she grounded near the spot +where the Pirate Craft lay beached. + +'There,' said Allan; 'there are three officers in the boat, and they're +getting out.' + +The young people clustered at the edge of the rocks and looked down. + +'We had better wait until they are gone,' said Allan; 'don't let them +see that we are watching them.' + +'They are going in the direction of Ardnavoir,' said Marjorie; 'I +believe they are going to call for your father and mother!' + +'Oh,' sighed Tricksy after the breathless pause during which they were +uncertain whether the officers were really going to enter the gate or +would pass by; 'they've gone in. I saw that nice one who came here +last year. Do you think they can be going to invite us to come on +board?' + +This question being rather difficult to answer, Allan suggested that +the boys should go down to the shore and see if any of their old +friends were in the boat. + +'Marjorie,' said Tricksy, as the two girls remained looking down from +above; 'do you think we should have better fun if we were boys?' + +Marjorie's reply was forestalled by a shout from below; and the girls +scrambled down to the beach. + +'Come along, you two,' said Allan; 'here's Jim Macdonnell, Euan's twin +brother, and a lot of the men who were here last year.' + +Greetings were exchanged with the pleasant-faced young blue-jacket and +his companions; and then the boys and girls sat down on the stones to +talk with their friends. + +The men could not come on shore, as no leave had yet been given, but +they hoped to be allowed to land on the following day. + +'You will be glad to see Euan,' said Marjorie to Jim Macdonnell. + +'Yes, Miss Marjorie,' replied the lad, but his handsome face clouded; +and Marjorie knew that he was thinking of his cousin Neil, once the +favourite of the island. + +'We were going to ask you, Mr. Allan,' he said, 'whether you young +gentlemen would come and have tea on board this afternoon; just with us +men, you know, sir.' + +'Thank you very much,' replied Allan, while all the boys looked +gratified; 'it would be no end jolly, and we'll come if Father will let +us. I'm sure he will. May we bring our friends too, Harry and Gerald +Graham?' + +'To be sure, sir,' replied Jim; 'we'll be glad to see the young +gentlemen. Are you fond of the sea, sir?' he inquired, turning to +Harry. + +Yes,' replied Harry, 'and I'm going into the navy.' + +'That's good,' said Jim. 'Perhaps I'll see you as a midshipman next +time we meet.' + +'Perhaps,' said Harry; 'and I hope I'll be a captain before very long.' + +'I hope you will be an admiral some day, sir, I'm sure,' answered Jim +gravely. + +'Thank you,' said Harry; 'yes, I daresay I shall be.' + +Allan turned his head away, and a smile gleamed out for an instant upon +Marjorie's face. Harry saw it and did not feel pleased, and he +remarked to Gerald afterwards that he was afraid Marjorie thought a +great deal too much of herself. + +'And what are you going to be, air?' inquired another of the men, +turning to Gerald, who was sitting by with a thoughtful face. + +'I'm going into the army, I think,' answered Gerald; 'but I don't know +if I can pass the exams. They're very difficult, but I'm going to try.' + +'Here are the gentlemen coming back again,' said Jim. + +'Then we'll leave you now,' said Allan; 'but we'll see you again in the +afternoon.' + +'Right you are, sir,' replied Jim; 'we'll send a boat to fetch you.' + +'You are lucky,' said Marjorie to the boys. 'How I wish we could go +too. Do you think they meant to invite us?' + +Allan looked doubtful. + +'I don't know,' he said. 'I don't think they thought of it. But I +daresay they would be glad to see you if you came.' + +'It's no good, I'm afraid,' answered Marjorie; 'I'd have to ask Mother +and she'd be sure to say no. But there is the boat going away, and +listen, isn't that the horn?' + +They hearkened for a moment, and it was unmistakably the old ram's horn +which was sounded at Ardnavoir to summon those at a distance when any +notable event was about to take place. + +'I wonder what it can be,' said Tricksy, as they scampered in the +direction of the mansion-house; 'do you think it can have anything to +do with the _Heroic_, Allan?' + +Mrs. Stewart was in the doorway. + +'We are invited to luncheon on board the _Heroic_,' she announced. +'The officers have signalled to ask Dr. and Mrs. MacGregor to come too, +and we have telephoned to say that Marjorie can get ready here, if Mrs. +MacGregor will bring her things with her.' + +The young people did not look so pleased as Mrs. Stewart had +anticipated. + +'How many of us are asked, Mummie?' inquired Tricksy. + +'As many as care to come,' answered Mrs. Stewart. 'The boys may come +too if they like.' + +All the boys looked unwilling. + +'Don't you want to go?' asked Mrs. Stewart in surprise. + +'Yes, Mother,' answered Allan; 'but the men have invited us already.' + +'And would you rather go with them?' + +The boys' faces showed that they would, and Mrs. Stewart gave +permission with a laugh. + +Tricksy sidled up to her mother. + +'Mummie, don't you think that Marjorie and I could go too?' she asked. + +'No, I am quite sure that it wouldn't do,' replied Mrs. Stewart; and +the girls looked disappointed. + +'You had better go upstairs and begin to get ready,' said Mrs. Stewart. +'Marjorie can brush her hair'--looking dubiously at the tangled mass of +curls, in which bits of grass and heather had become intermixed, 'and +perhaps by that time her other frock and her hat will have arrived.' + +The girls turned to go upstairs, but paused to look at Carlo, who came +running down the steps, wriggling his small body, and whining as though +he were in pain. + +'What's the matter with the poor little dog?' they cried. + +Every one turned round as Carlo landed on the rug, and stood yelping +distressfully. + +'Whatever is the little brute going on about?' said Reggie, looking at +him with curiosity. + +'Something is hurting him,' said Hamish. + +'I never saw him go on like that before,' remarked Allan. + +Laddie sprang forward, wagging his tail and running to every one in +turn, trying to explain that his little friend needed help. + +'Look how he bites his tail,' cried Mrs. Stewart, 'why do you do that, +Carlo?' + +'Hydrophobia, perhaps,' suggested Allan; and some of the bystanders +edged a little farther away. + +'Poor little dog,' said Gerald soothingly; 'tell us what's the matter +with you.' + +At the sound of the pitying voice the little dog gathered up his ears, +then sat up and uttered a doleful howl, accompanied by agitated +movements of his fore-paws. + +'There's something clinging to his tail,' cried Reggie suddenly, +pouncing upon him. 'Why, just look at this; it's a couple of small +crabs!' + +'Where can he have got them from?' asked Mrs. Stewart, looking +bewildered; 'he came from upstairs.' + +'Oh, it's--it's--_I_ know,' stuttered Gerald, flushing deeply. +'It's--I'll put it all right, you needn't come.' + +The remainder of the sentence was lost as he hurried upstairs. + +'Whatever is he about?' said Marjorie; 'let's go and see.' + +Gerald became very red again as he was discovered in the room which he +shared with Harry, collecting some small objects from the floor. + +You needn't have come,' he said. 'It's--it's only my collection, and +they've been escaping----' + +'Ha, ha!' laughed Harry; 'it's those snails and things that he has been +gathering on the beach, and they've crawled all over the place!' + +Gerald stood, flushing to the roots of his hair, and shrinking from the +mirth of the others. + +His treasures had been trying to make themselves at home in their new +quarters. The little crabs and lobsters had scattered in search of +water, and the shell-fish had crawled over the floor or attached +themselves to the wall, where they waited with tilted shells for the +tide that failed to come. + +'Never mind, Gerald,' said Marjorie, as tears began to start in the +boy's eyes; 'it's very nice making a collection, and I've got a nice +pail with a lid that I'll give you to keep the things in.' + +'And now,' said Mrs. Stewart, 'I see the pony cart coming up the drive, +with Mrs. MacGregor in it; run and get ready, girls, or we shall be +late.' + +After about a quarter of an hour's tidying, Marjorie was released from +her mother's hands, dressed in a cream serge frock and a large hat, and +with her hair brushed out and neatly arranged. + +Feeling unlike herself and hardly satisfied with the change, she peeped +in the glass as soon as her mother's back was turned. + +Her own reflection caused her to start and colour with surprise. + +Blue eyes, bright with suppressed excitement, a wild rose face framed +in short fair curls and set off by the light colours of her attire, +slender hands and neat ankles--'and that's me,' said Marjorie to +herself in bewilderment. + +Tricksy came into the room, wearing a white hanging frock with a big +floppy white hat. + +'Dear me,' said Marjorie to herself, taking another glance in the +mirror, after the eyes of the two girls had met in silent approval of +one another; 'curious that we've never thought of it before--perhaps +it's because we so seldom have bothered to look in the glass--but it +strikes me that we're actually a pair of very pretty girls--with our +hair brushed and our faces washed!' + +They went downstairs without speaking, and encountered the boys in the +hall. + +All eyes were attracted to them; then an approving expression came into +the boys' faces, and as the girls passed they moved somewhat aside to +look at them from another point of view. + +Despite the anxiety which had brooded over her since morning, Marjorie +began to feel her spirits rise. + +'Marjorie,' said Tricksy solemnly, as Duncan was driving them to the +landing-stage, 'which do you think is the best fun, being a boy or +being a girl?' + +Marjorie had been lost in thought, but at Tricksy's question her eyes +began to dance. + +'I think it's best of all to be a tomboy,' she said, 'and then you can +be a bit of both!' + +When the sailors had shipped their oars, and the boat glided under the +side of the great war-vessel, first the ladies, and then the girls were +assisted on deck and greeted by the captain, erect and +broad-shouldered, and by the officers, the youngest of whom was +Tricksy's friend of the year before. Dr. MacGregor and the laird and +Mr. Graham were already on board. + +'Hullo, Miss Tricksy, how do you do?' said a voice, and Tricksy looked +up to see the Sheriff, who was smiling at her with outstretched hand. + +Tricksy looked solemnly up in his face. + +'Well, aren't you going to shake hands, Tricksy?' said the Sheriff. + +'No,' said Tricksy deliberately. + +The Sheriff's expression altered. + +'And why not, Miss Tricksy, if I might inquire?' he said. + +Tricksy met his grim smile with a solemn stare of disapproval. + +'Because you let a great friend of ours be put in prison when he didn't +deserve it,' she replied. 'That was why I sent back the big box of +chocolates that you sent me by post. Mother did not know that it had +come. We can't be friends until you've owned yourself in the wrong. +We've all joined a Compact to get our friend back again and to show +that it wasn't he who did it. I've got it with me,' and Tricksy began +to fumble in her pocket. + +The smile was beginning to twitch at the corners of the Sheriff's lips +again when he was addressed by one of the officers. The little scene +had passed unobserved by all save Marjorie, as the captain suggested +that, the weather being fine and time at their disposal, the _Heroic_ +should take their visitors on a tour round Inchkerra. + +'Certainly, certainly,' said the Sheriff at haphazard, and Tricksy +slipped away. + +'In the meanwhile I think lunch is ready,' said Captain Redwood, and +each of the officers took a lady downstairs, Tricksy falling to the +share of the youngest. + +'Dear me, this isn't half so exciting as I expected,' said Marjorie to +herself. 'What stupid grown-up things they are talking about; I am +sure they wouldn't be interested if I were to tell them about the +things we do, riding bare-backed ponies, and about the Craft and the +Den, and finding the smugglers; and I have nothing else to talk to them +about. They haven't taken much notice of Tricksy and me after all; +they weren't a bit surprised when they saw us; we're pretty, but not +any prettier than lots of other girls, and it isn't enough to make a +fuss about.' + +She wondered what Tricksy was finding to say to Lieutenant Jones, the +young officer by whose side she was sitting, and who appeared to be +greatly entertained by the little girl. + +After lunch they returned on deck to see a boat bring the boys on +board; then the screw was set in motion and the water began to churn +itself into foam round the vessel's sides. + +'It isn't bad,' said Marjorie to herself as the _Heroic_ ploughed her +way past the well-known shores, 'but it's a bother not having anything +to do. I've seen all this before, and it isn't as though we were +rowing for all we were worth in the old _Mermaid_--I mean, the +_Craft_--and in danger of getting into currents and being swept away to +I don't know where. Now I have no doubt the boys are having no end of +a good time, going into the engine-room and getting themselves dirty, +and climbing all over the place, and listening to the sailors' yarns. +Once I get out of this, catch me bother any more about looking nice, +and being grown-up, and all the rest of it--it will be time enough when +I'm so old that I get no fun out of being a tomboy any more.' + +Lieutenant Jones left Tricksy and came to sit beside Marjorie for a +turn. + +'I suppose you are quite accustomed to sailing as you live in an +island, Miss MacGregor?' he said. + +'Yes,' replied Marjorie, 'we are all very fond of boating, the boys and +Tricksy and I,' and after talking for a little while she began to think +that a grown-up man was nearly as good company as a boy once you got +him upon the right subject. + +'Now,' said the Sheriff, coming up with his spy-glass, 'we are coming +near the finest bit of rock scenery on the island; one of the finest, +in my opinion, on this part of the West Coast.' + +The _Heroic_ was just rounding the point which concealed the Smugglers' +Caves from view. + +'The Corrachin Crags,' continued the Sheriff; 'the caves are remarkably +fine; interesting, too, as in former times they are said to have been +used for smuggling purposes, and as hiding-places for pirates and other +lawless characters----' + +'Now!' burst from the lips of the gazers as the lofty cliffs came in +view, with the waves tumbling at their base. + +Captain Redwood had issued orders to slacken speed, and as the vessel +steamed slowly past, a fine view was obtained of bold masses of rock +and the black openings to the caves, with the startled birds rising in +clouds and screaming. + +'If all stories are true, the caves are still sometimes put to their +old uses,' observed Mrs. MacGregor as the _Heroic's_ engines throbbed +through the smooth swell of the water; 'for all we know, the most +thrilling adventures may be taking place there.' + +'A score of men might lie in hiding without discovering one another's +presence,' said the laird; 'the caves form a regular network, and +stretch a long way underground. The entire headland is said to be +honeycombed with them----' + +'Hullo, good people!' cried a soft little voice from overhead, followed +by a triumphant laugh. + +Every one looked round, and half-way up the mast Tricksy was +discovered, who having become annoyed at her desertion by Lieutenant +Jones, was indulging in an exploring expedition on her own account. +Her little round face smiled mischievously from between a large white +hat and tumbled frock, and she sat swinging her heels in perfect +contentment. + +Jim Macdonnell's duties having brought him to the quarter-deck at this +moment, the captain made him a sign almost without pausing in the +sentence which he was addressing to Mrs. Stewart. + +The sailor climbed into the rigging and removed Tricksy very gently +from her perch, tucked her under one arm with her head hanging in front +and her heels behind, slid down the ropes and deposited the little girl +on the deck. + +Tricksy stood and looked at every one in speechless wrath. Her +dignity, being as great as her anger, prevented her from giving way to +an outburst before she should have discovered who deserved it most. + +Lieutenant Jones crossed over to her. + +'I suppose you have been round all this place before, Miss Tricksy,' he +said in a conversational tone. + +Tricksy looked at him with mistrust. + +'I believe you are great explorers and rock-climbers, you and your +brothers, Miss Tricksy,' continued the officer, as though being carried +down from a mast before a crowd of people were a matter of everyday +occurrence; 'I envy you your opportunities----' + +This sounded quite like the way the other officers had been talking to +the grown-up ladies, and Tricksy found her stiffness begin to forsake +her. + +The most important point was to discover whether the Sheriff had seen +what had occurred. If he had not been a witness, Tricksy felt that she +might allow herself to get over it. + +Her eyes sought her enemy, but that magistrate was, or affected to be, +engrossed in trying to bring his telescope to bear upon the caves, and +the episode had apparently escaped him. + +'Talking of people hiding in the caves,' he said suddenly; 'Mrs. +MacGregor, do you see the figure of a man at the mouth of the one which +we are now opposite? From his attitude he might be a fugitive from +justice or any other of these interesting desperadoes about whom we +have been talking----' + +Marjorie's face flushed, and she began to tremble from head to foot. + +'Wait a minute, Mrs. MacGregor,' said the Sheriff, 'I will get my +glasses adjusted. Curious; there is something in the man's appearance +which seems familiar to me----' + +He was about to take another look when the air was rent by the shrill +whistle of a siren. + +They all turned round in astonishment, and when they looked towards the +rocks again the figure had disappeared. + +The captain's face had become stern, but the culprit proved to be only +a small boy in a jacket whose sleeves were too short for him. + +Marjorie had seen more, however; she had seen that it was Jim +Macdonnell who had made Reggie blow the siren. + +During the rest of the afternoon things seemed to be swimming before +Marjorie's eyes, and she heard only a confused murmur of voices. + +When the voyage was over she went straight to Allan. + +'Allan,' she said abruptly, 'I may as well tell you that I know your +secret. Neil is in Inchkerra--and he is in hiding.' + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +DISAPPOINTMENT + +Allan looked at Marjorie with his hands in his pockets. + +'It's all right,' said Marjorie hastily; 'I won't tell any one, but I +couldn't help finding it out, for I saw Neil. Anyhow, I know so much +already that I might as well know the rest. To begin with, it was +Neil's knife that you picked up in the Den; I saw the letters on the +handle.' + +Allan watched Marjorie narrowly for a minute, and then he seemed to +become reassured. + +'Listen, Marjorie,' he said; 'mind you don't let out a word of this to +any one. It would be an awful thing if Neil were taken now. He came +back a few days ago, in a smuggling vessel, to see his mother. Mrs. +Macdonnell is very ill, as you know'--Marjorie nodded, a lump being in +her throat--'and she thinks she can't live long. Some one who knew +where Neil was wrote and told him that she was always saying how much +she wished she could see him before she died, and he came back at once, +although the police may get him at any minute and he knows it. In the +meanwhile she is much worse, and he refuses to go away until he sees +whether she is going to recover. Mrs. Macdonnell keeps asking him to +clear out, but he always says there is no hurry, and that he will wait +until she is better. It's awfully senseless of him, for he might be +seen any day; but Neil always was a bit obstinate once he takes a thing +into his head. He hides most of the day and comes out when there isn't +much chance of his meeting any one. But if he were found out he would +be taken and sent to prison as sure as fate, so you must tell no one, +Marjorie, not a soul. Reggie knows, but none of the others.' + +Every particle of colour had left Marjorie's face, but her lips set +themselves firmly. + +'You needn't be afraid of me, Allan,' she said. 'We must get him +persuaded to go away at once, for his mother would never get over it if +he were caught.' + +'Can't do anything just now,' said Allan; 'there is no way of getting +him out of the island while the _Heroic_ is here, and this afternoon +the men were declaring that as soon as they got shore leave they would +search the island for the man who they say is "skulking round." We can +only hope that they won't go very far into the caves, or that the ship +will soon be ordered north. But, Marjorie, don't go about with a face +like that, whatever you do, or you'll show people that something's the +matter. Remember that if either the Pater or your father were to find +out that Neil is here, it would be their duty to let the police know, +and they wouldn't like to have to do that.' + +Marjorie drew herself together. + +'You needn't be afraid of me, Allan,' she said, as she turned away. 'I +can keep a secret as well as you and Reggie, and you know it.' + +On the following morning Allan was hardly surprised to encounter +Marjorie upon the little hill which commanded a view of the sea near +Ardnavoir. Her pony was beside her, and she had evidently risen with +the dawn and ridden over the moors. + +'Any news?' she inquired anxiously. + +'Nothing at all,' he replied. 'The _Heroic_ is quite quiet yet, as you +see.' + +They looked at the dark hull which was lying motionless upon the water. + +'Duncan rode over to the caves last night to tell Neil to keep out of +sight while the _Heroic_ is here,' said Allan. 'The only fear is if +the men should try exploring with torches. There are openings from the +caves on to the moors, but if the island is swarming with men it +wouldn't be much good trying to escape by them.' + +'Oh,' cried Marjorie, looking at the _Heroic_, 'if only they would go +away. Couldn't we invent some excuse for getting them out of the way +while we get Neil into safety.' + +'No good, I'm afraid,' said Allan. 'They have their orders from the +Admiralty, and they wouldn't attend to anything else.' + +Marjorie looked hopeless. + +'I shall have to go home now,' she said; 'there's some one moving about +in your garden, so it must be nearly breakfast-time. Let me know if +there's any news.' + +'Don't go yet,' said Allan decidedly. 'You must stay and have +breakfast with us. I bet you didn't have anything before you left?' + +'I had a crust of bread,' said Marjorie reluctantly. 'Elspeth keeps +everything locked up at night, and I couldn't wait.' + +'Come along,' said Allan. 'You'll be in the best place for seeing what +the _Heroic_ is about.' + +The argument was irresistible and Marjorie yielded. + +'Never mind Cheeky,' said Allan; 'he won't wander far.' + +The bridle was taken off the shaggy little pony whom Marjorie had not +waited to saddle, and Marjorie and Allan went down the hill. + +Reggie and Harry were already out of doors, Harry addressing himself +with sparkling eyes to Reggie, who was unusually silent. When Allan +came in view together with Marjorie, Reggie studied the pair +inquiringly and received a reassuring nod from Allan. + +'Seen the _Heroic_?' began Harry; 'I say, if the men get their leave +to-day do you think they will let us come with them?' + +'We might show them the interesting places on the island,' said Reggie, +with a sidelong glance at Allan. + +'Oh, I say, what fun,' exclaimed Harry; 'I'd take them to the +Smugglers' Caves and let them explore.' + +Reggie looked at Allan again. + +'I wouldn't do that, if I were you, Harry,' said Allan. 'You don't +know much about the caves yourself yet, you know, and they're most +awfully dangerous; great holes full of water where you don't expect +them, and rocks that might fall on the top of you and crush you to +pieces; and then the smugglers might be lying in ambush round the +corners, you know.' + +Tricksy, who had come out to join the others, opened her eyes very +widely at this account of the hidden perils of the caves. + +'Look,' cried Reggie, 'they're signalling something from the _Heroic_.' + +A string of flags had suddenly floated out from the _Heroic's_ masthead. + +'Wait, and I'll fetch a spy-glass,' said Allan, running towards the +house. + +'Something about telling something to Father,' he said, after studying +the signals for awhile; 'I can't make out the rest.' + +They looked at each other with frightened eyes. + +'Here, Reggie,' said Allan, handing him the glass, 'you try.' + +Reggie looked, then shook his head. + +'Can't make anything of it,' he said. + +'Perhaps they want us to come on board again,' said Harry. 'You might +give me the glass for a minute, Reggie.' + +'They can't have been exploring already?' suggested Marjorie, in a +voice designed only for Allan's and Reggie's ears. + +'Don't know,' said Allan. 'If only they hadn't gone and made Father a +J.P.!' he added, with a judiciously suppressed groan. + +'They're signalling from the coastguard station, do you see?' cried +Tricksy. + +'Where's Gerald?' said Harry; 'he ought to be here to see this. Lazy +beggar, if I don't remember to wake him at four in the morning he +always oversleeps.' + +He flew into the house, and returned shortly, followed by Gerald, who +came rubbing his eyes and trying to seem grateful to his brother for +having roused him out of the first good sleep he had enjoyed for weeks. + +'There's a coastguard just coming up the drive,' said Reggie. + +'Perhaps all the men are going to ask us to a picnic or something,' +suggested Harry; while Marjorie, Allan, and Reggie watched the +messenger. + +Nothing was to be gathered from the demeanour of the coastguard, and +after he had gone down the avenue all the young people crowded into the +hall. + +'A letter,' said Allan, looking at an envelope lying on the hall table; +'Allan Stewart, Esq. that doesn't tell us much, and Father has gone +out.' + +'Perhaps it's for you,' suggested Tricksy. + +'Not it,' said Allan unwillingly; 'they'd never address me as esquire, +especially as Father is Allan too. Can't do anything until he comes +back.' + +'What do you think he can have gone out for?' inquired Marjorie, and +the faces of the others were as anxious as her own. + +'Now, young people,' cried Mrs. Stewart's voice, 'come to breakfast; +the _Heroic_ will wait while you have some food.' + +Marjorie, Allan, and Reggie tore themselves unwillingly away from the +letter. + +'Mother,' said Allan persuasively, 'there's a letter for Father out +there on the hall table; it's some message from the _Heroic_; don't you +think you might open it and see what they say?' + +Mrs. Stewart looked surprised. + +'I can't open a letter addressed to your father,' she said. 'Have +patience a little while; he may not be long.' + +'But, Mother, perhaps it's something very important,' persisted Allan; +'they may be waiting for an answer, you know.' + +'I don't think it can be so important as all that,' said Mrs. Stewart. +'Take your places, Allan and Reggie, everything is getting cold.' + +The young people felt that their patience would give way in another +minute. + +'Come here, Gerald,' said Mrs. Stewart, 'beside Tricksy; and Harry, you +can sit by Marjorie.' + +Harry looked unwilling. + +'Oh, Mother,' cried Tricksy, 'you are putting him with his back to the +window!' + +Mrs. Stewart looked mystified. + +'He wants to see the _Heroic_,' explained Tricksy; 'we are watching to +see when the boats leave.' + +Mrs. Stewart gave Harry a seat on the other side of the table, an +arrangement which placed Allan where he could not see what was going +on. He and Marjorie and Reggie had to rest satisfied with the +discovery that they were able to communicate by means of kicking one +another's shins under the table, although this method of intelligence +made them feel if possible more distracted than before. + +'Look how the men are running about on board,' said Tricksy. 'They +look like little black ants! They must be going to launch the boats +now.' + +Harry's bright eyes did not leave the vessel for an instant. Of a +sudden his jaw dropped and his face became blank. + +'What's the matter?' cried every one. + +'They're going away,' cried Harry. + +Every one sprang from table and looked. + +'They can't be going round to the caves,' said Marjorie. 'Oh, dear, +how can we stop them. I'll take Cheeky and go and warn him.' + +Fortunately this remark passed unnoticed amid the hubbub. + +'They aren't going away altogether, are they?' asked Tricksy, her eyes +becoming large with dismay. + +Allan made a rush for the door, and ran up against his father, who was +coming in. + +'Hard luck,' said Mr. Stewart, holding out the letter; 'the _Heroic_ +has received unexpected orders, and they have to sail northward without +delay. No shore leave, so they take this opportunity of saying +good-bye.' + +'Aw--w--w,' said Harry, Gerald, and Tricksy, while the others had +difficulty in repressing an inclination to cheer. + +'When are they coming back again?' asked Gerald. + +'Next year, perhaps,' said Mr. Stewart, smiling. + +The faces became if possible more blank than before. + +'She's out of sight,' said Harry in a dejected tone, going to the +window. + +'Is she?' said Gerald, looking out too; 'why, so she is.' + +'If you fellows want to see her,' said Allan, 'why don't you go to the +top of the hill? You'll get a first-class view from there.' + +Without a word the boys darted from the room and out at the front door, +Harry with his bootlaces untied and flapping about his ankles, and +Gerald without a hat. In scrambling over the wall Harry became caught, +and fell sprawling on the ground, but picked himself up and ran on as +if nothing had happened. + +'Come, you two,' said Allan, 'now that we've got them safely out of the +way we've got to do something.' + +Marjorie ran for her bridle and put it on Cheeky, who was cropping +grass by the stream. + +'Go on,' shouted Allan; 'don't wait for us, we'll soon catch you up. +Let's go and catch Dewdrop and Daisy, Reggie; bicycles are no good for +the moors.' + +In a short time Marjorie was overtaken by the two boys, perched upon +bridleless, bare-backed ponies. + +The wind whistled past as they galloped over the level ground, and they +were almost too breathless to speak as they urged their ponies up the +slopes of the hill. + +'Oh, gee up, Daisy; gee-up!' cried Allan, 'we have no time to lose +to-day!' + +'Glad we got away all right,' he panted as they stood breathing their +ponies on the summit; 'it would never do to have these two dragging +about and asking questions. We've just got to get Neil out of there +before anything more happens,' he continued. 'The boat is waiting +about, watching for an opportunity to leave as soon as the _Heroic_ +goes; and we must make Neil promise to leave with her.' + +The sturdy little ponies descended the slopes with the sure-footedness +of cats; then sprang pluckily over the moss-hags which covered the +greater part of the peninsula. + +Suddenly, without warning, they became entangled in a treacherous piece +of bog, from which they did not struggle into safety until Marjorie's +pony had lost a shoe. + +'Look out,' cried Allan, as they were about to spring forward once +more; 'it's here that there are those holes that go down into the +caves, and you don't see them until you've nearly fallen into them.' + +Curbing their impatience, they dismounted and walked, leading the +ponies by the bridle. + +'There,' said Marjorie as they neared the cliff, 'the tide's rising, +and they're shaking out the sails on the smugglers' vessel.' + +'Shall we all go down?' asked Reggie. + +'No,' said Allan, 'the fewer the better. You stay here with the +ponies, and I'll go down with Marjorie.' + +'Me?' said Marjorie, surprised. + +'Yes, you. You've got to speak to him and get him to leave. Come +along.' + +They lowered themselves over the edge of the cliff, and clambered to +the beach. + +Two faces scowled at them over the bulwarks of the boat, and the +captain waiting on the shore, a man of foreign appearance, with a +shaggy black beard and a sou'-wester, glanced disapprovingly at +Marjorie. + +Somewhat alarmed, she turned and discovered Duncan standing beside her. + +The butler was more disturbed at the encounter than seemed to Marjorie +at all necessary, and her astonishment was completed when Rob MacLean +and the lighthouse-keeper appeared, rolling a heavy barrel between them. + +'Here, lend a hand,' they cried to Duncan; then they stopped short on +observing Allan and Marjorie. + +'Why, they are _all_ smugglers!' Marjorie was on the point of +exclaiming; but Allan seized her arm and gripped it warningly. + +'We've come to see Neil, and to try to make him go with you,' he said, +addressing himself to the men in a body. + +Immediately the faces became less grim. + +'That iss ahl right, Mr. Allan,' said Rob MacLean; 'you will pe finding +him in a cave right opposite. Speak to him, Miss Marjorie; he iss +ferry foolish and he will not pe wanting to come.' + +Marjorie was still looking in a surprised way at Duncan, whom she +hardly seemed to recognise in his new character of a smuggler; but +Allan renewed his pressure upon her arm. + +'Tell him he must go, Mr. Allan and Miss Marjorie,' said Duncan, 'and +he must not be long, ta captain cannot be waiting or he will miss the +tide. He iss a ferry impatient man iss ta captain, whateffer.' + +All right,' said Allan; 'we'll talk to him. You go in first, Marjorie.' + +A short way from the entrance Marjorie came upon Neil; but what a +change in her old playmate! Pale, and looking still paler in the dim +light; with worn and soiled clothing, and his former bright, pleasant +expression changed into sullen despair. + +Marjorie's heart sank. + +'Neil,' she began, 'we've come to see you, Allan and I.' + +'Indeed, Miss Marjorie, it is ferry good of you,' said the lad, rising +and looking down upon her with a grateful expression, 'but wass it not +ferry unwise of you to come? That sea-captain iss a rough character +and he might----' + +'Never mind us, Neil,' said Marjorie, 'we're all right. We only wanted +to say that we are your friends, whatever happens, and we hope that +things will come right for you. And now, Neil, you will go away for a +little while, will you not? Don't stay here while you are in such +danger of being found.' + +Neil looked down upon her, and his face darkened again. + +'I cannot be leaving Inchkerra just now, Miss Marjorie,' he said. + +'Oh, Neil, do go away. Think what it would be to your mother if you +were found--think what it would be to _all_ of us, Neil----' + +'Schooner's beginning to weigh anchor,' cried a gruff voice outside. + +'Come, Neil, don't waste time,' said Marjorie. + +Neil seated himself determinedly upon a fragment of rock. + +'I will not be leaving the island just now, Miss Marjorie,' he said. + +Marjorie looked at him, and noted the dulness of his eyes and the +obstinate lines round his mouth. + +'Neil, do, do go,' she said, clutching him by the arm. 'Come with me, +Neil, and don't be foolish.' + +'Are you ready, Neil?' said Allan, appearing inside the cave; 'the +schooner can't wait much longer.' + +Marjorie turned round in despair. + +'Oh, this will never do,' said Allan. 'Come along, Neil, there's a +good fellow, and don't keep them waiting.' + +Neil remained firm and Marjorie felt that it was hopeless. + +'Are you not for coming, Neil?' said Duncan, standing in the mouth of +the cave; 'ta captain says he iss in a hurry to be gone.' + +'Come, Neil,' said Rob MacLean persuasively, 'it will not pe meking +Mistress Macdonnell any better, puir soul, for you to be waiting here +with ta police, silly bodies, at your heels.' + +Neil came forward, Marjorie and Allan following him anxiously. + +'I will not pe going,' he said briefly. + +'Of all ta fulish gomerals!' burst out Duncan, and clenched his fists +and stormed in Gaelic to the lad, who remained unmoved. + +'That will be a ferry foolish thing, Neil; gang wi ta captain,' said +Bob soothingly. + +'Go on board, Neil; it isn't too late yet,' implored Allan. + +'Tide's on the turn,' shouted the gruff voice of the captain. 'Come if +you're coming, and if not, don't keep honest folks waiting.' + +Neil leaned against the cliff and looked stubbornly into vacancy. From +his attitude it was plain that he was inflexible. + +'Yo-ho!' sang out the sailors; 'heave-ho!' and the sails of the little +vessel slowly filled as her bows swung round to the sea. + +Marjorie made a bolt towards the cliff, and began to climb. + +On the top she turned and looked at Allan, whose face was as white as +her own. + +'Can't be helped,' he said in a hard voice. 'Some ass went and told +him that Mrs. Macdonnell was worse.' + +'Hullo,' called out Reggie as they came within hearing, 'is he gone?' + +'Gone!' echoed the others, and Marjorie sank down on the heather and +gasped. + +When she looked up the boys were sitting beside her. + +'Well?' began Reggie sympathetically. + +'He wouldn't go,' said Allan; 'we did all we could. Duncan and Rob are +still storming at him down there.' + +There was nothing to be said, and they all sat and reflected. + +'The worst of it is,' said Marjorie in a trembling tearless voice, +'that in spite of our Compact and everything else, we haven't been able +to do him a bit of good!' + +The others assented by their silence. + +'And I don't believe we ever shall,' continued Marjorie, 'we don't seem +to have set about it the right way, somehow.' + +The boys looked so downcast that Marjorie judged it inadvisable to +pursue the subject further and they mounted their ponies and rode +slowly in the direction of Ardnavoir. + +Half-way down the hill they discovered Tricksy sitting on a clump of +heather, with Hamish beside her and Laddie curled at her feet. + +'You are nice, kind people,' said Tricksy reproachfully, 'going away +like that and leaving me all alone!' + +'Why, Tricksy,' began Marjorie, 'why didn't you go with the others?' + +'Go with the others!' echoed Tricksy, 'do you think I could run up the +hill as they did? If it hadn't been for Hamish I shouldn't have seen +anything. Then leaving me all alone too.' + +'But, Tricksy, where are Harry and Gerald?' + +'I don't know, I'm sure. Gone off somewhere by themselves, and I came +to meet you with Hamish. I think you might have let me come with you.' + +'Don't be a little silly, Tricksy,' said Reggie irritably; 'you are too +little to go all that distance.' + +'Too little!' cried Tricksy, exasperated; 'I'm not too little to be +sent messages for the others, and I'm not too little to dig in the +garden and carry stones for the Pirates' Den; I'm only too little when +it's a jolly piece of fun that you want to keep to yourselves. Oh, +Laddie, dear,' to the dog who had jumped up and was licking her face, +'you are the only nice ones, you and Hamish'--and she threw her arms +round the collie's neck to hide a tear. 'Don't lick my face though,' +she added, with a change of manner that forced a laugh even from the +tired and weary adventurers. + +'You haven't shown them what you found, Tricksy,' said Hamish. + +'No,' said Tricksy, 'neither I have,' and she fumbled in her pocket and +drew out a crumpled paper which she gave to Allan. + +Her brother looked at it. + +'What's this?' he said. 'I don't understand.' + +'Look at the number, Allan, and the date,' said Hamish. + +Allan examined the paper; then flushed to the ears. + +'Tricksy, you little owl,' he burst out; 'to think of you going on +about your potty little feelings and wounded dignity and all that when +you had _this_ to show us.' + + + + +CHAPTER X + +IN WHICH ALLAN IS VERY WISE + +'I--I--I didn't know,' stammered poor Tricksy. + +'What is it?' cried the others, pressing round to look. + +'It's one of the orders that were stolen,' said Allan. + +'Tell them where you found it, Tricksy,' said Hamish. + +'It was in the box-room, where the spare coats and the fishing baskets +are kept,' said Tricksy. 'I went to see if Reggie's knife was in the +pocket of his old great-coat, and when I pulled it off the shelf this +fluttered down.' + +'Well,' said Allan, while the others were dumb with astonishment, 'this +beats me altogether. It wasn't _we_ who were the thieves!' + +Every one looked at the order, and turned it round, and examined the +back of it, but there was no clue to the mystery. + +'Let's go and have a thorough search of the box-room,' said Marjorie; +'who knows what we may bring to light.' + +'Take my pony, Tricksy,' said Reggie considerately. 'Those who haven't +ponies will have to walk. Don't begin the search until we are all +there!' + +When the walkers reached Ardnavoir they found the others standing guard +at the door of the box-room. + +'Now!' said Marjorie, throwing open the door; and they all burst in. + +All the garments were taken down from the shelves and unfolded and +shaken, but nothing was to be found. Every pocket was turned out; but +the contents were only pebbles, and bits of string, and pieces of dried +seaweed. + +All the fishing baskets were opened and peeped into, and turned upside +down and shaken, but without result. + +Afterwards they pulled out the boxes that were ranged against the wall, +and looked behind them, but no postal orders were found. + +'This box is unfastened,' cried Tricksy; 'let's look inside it.' + +'Do you think we should do that,' demurred Hamish; 'Mrs. Stewart might +object.' + +'Can't stop to think of that in a case of necessity,' replied Reggie, +and Marjorie's hands were soon in the trunk. + +Furs smelling strongly of camphor, some old chair covers, then a +quantity of frocks and boys' suits grown too small, and a layer of +boots at the bottom. + +'Nothing there,' said Marjorie, cramming the things into the box again. + +'These other trunks are all locked,' said Reggie, trying them one after +the other. + +'They'll have to be opened when the police come,' observed Hamish. + +Marjorie and Allan looked at each other. + +'Do you think we ought to bring the police back at this time?' asked +Marjorie in an undertone. + +Allan sat down on a box, and the others all followed his example. + +'We've got to consider what's to be done about this discovery,' began +Allan. 'The first question is, have you showed the order to Pater or +Mother already, Hamish?' + +'Not yet,' said Hamish. + +'Well, then,' said Allan, 'we've got to make up our minds whether we'd +better do it or not.' + +Hamish looked astonished. + +'I don't see how there can be any doubt about that,' he began. 'Surely +it's the very first----' + +Marjorie, Allan, and Reggie were all looking at each other. + +'We couldn't possibly keep back evidence like this,' pursued Hamish. + +Marjorie's and Reggie's eyes were saying 'Don't tell them.' + +Allan pushed his hair back from his forehead, thrust his hands into his +pockets, and then turned to Hamish again. + +'We've got to think of a lot of things in an affair like this,' he +said. 'For instance----' + +'It seems to me there's only one way of looking at it,' replied Hamish, +his slow voice becoming steadier. 'You've got an important piece of +evidence which may prove the turning-point of the case, and you don't +even tell your father and mother.' + +'_I_ think Hamish is in the right,' broke in Tricksy's little voice. + +A glance from Reggie caused her to quail and Allan turned upon Hamish. + +'Now, Hamish, old fellow, don't you jolly well make an ass of yourself. +We find ourselves in this predic.; either we've got to shut up about +this valuable find, or have the police poking about the island when +they're not wanted.' + +'We've all three voted against you, so you are in a minority, Hamish,' +broke in Marjorie, her voice sharp with vexation. + +Hamish became very red, and looked at them steadily. + +'I can't act contrary to the wishes of the majority,' he said, since +we've made a Compact; but I wish to say that I think you are making a +great mistake and that I think we shall all have cause to regret what +you are doing.' + +There was no reply since none could be made, and the meeting closed in +an uncomfortable silence. + +'Tear, tear,' they heard Duncan's voice saying in irritable tones +outside the door; 'what will hev become of ahl ta young ladies and +gentlemen? They will ahl pe away just at ta ferry time when they will +be wanted. They will pe after some nonsense. I will ahlways pe the +mosst afraid when they are ferry quiet when Mr. Allan will pe with +them. He iss so sensible and wiselike, iss Mr. Allan, that when he +finds mischiefs for them to do they will ahlways pe the ferry worst +kinds of mischief, whateffer.' + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +A NEAR SHAVE + +They all trooped out, and followed Duncan's retreating figure. + +'Here we are, Duncan, what do you want us for?' + +'Tear me, young ladies and gentlemen,' said Duncan, 'we will hev peen +looking for you ahl over the house and grounds. The Sheriff iss here +from Stornwell and the minister iss come to call, and the laird says as +it iss such a ferry fine day he iss going to take effery one out for a +sail in the yacht, and Dr. and Mrs. MacGregor iss come, and we are to +hev lunch on board and go over to Alvasay, and afterwards if there iss +time we will pe stopping at the Corrachin Caves, for Mr. Graham says he +will pe liking to explore them; and here we will ahl pe waiting for +you, young ladies and chentlemen.' + +Marjorie's lips tightened. + +'Look here, Duncan,' she said, after Hamish, followed consolingly by +Tricksy, had passed out of hearing, 'we must make them too late for the +caves.' + +'Indeed, Miss Marjorie, we will hev to keep them out whateffer,' said +Duncan, 'Mr. Graham's eyes will pe ferry sharp, he iss as bad as Mr. +Harry, who is notticing efferything. But there iss ta laird, Miss +Marjorie, he will pe calling to me to come with ta lunch baskets, I +will hev to go.' + +The hall was a scene of animation. The Sheriff was standing talking to +Mrs. MacGregor and receiving defiant glances from Tricksy; the +minister, an elderly man with white hair and stooping shoulders, stood +somewhat apart; the other gentlemen were collecting rugs and fishing +tackle, and Harry and Gerald were jumping about, asking questions and +getting in every one's way. + +'Rob MacLean has come to say that the _Kelpie_ iss all ready, sir,' +said Duncan, who among his other avocations sailed his master's yacht. + +'Don't let us wait any longer then,' said the laird; 'we shall not have +time to visit the caves this evening if we miss the tide.' + +Two trips of the _Mermaid_--the Craft only when her young owners were +by themselves--conveyed the entire party on board the _Kelpie_, whose +crew, consisting of Rob MacLean and another crofter, were in readiness. + +'We must manage not to go to the caves, Rob,' said Marjorie as she +passed. + +'Aye, Miss Marjorie, she will not pe going to the caves to-day,' said +the Highlander grimly. + +It was a glorious day for a sail, and the young people's spirits rose +in spite of themselves. There was enough wind to fill out the sails +and make the vessel skim swiftly over the water, but not enough to make +any one in the least uncomfortable, and the waves were dancing in the +sunlight. + +'Do you see that island over there?' said Marjorie to Harry, who was +looking about him with sparkling eyes; 'that high one beyond all the +little skerries? That's where we're going; it's an awfully jolly +place, there's a fine loch with sea trout in it and a capital beach.' + +Harry looked at the island, and then at the water tumbling and foaming +in the vessel's wake; and then he began to look about for some more +active occupation. The ladies were talking to their guests and +pointing out the interesting places as they passed, and Gerald and +Tricksy were sitting soberly in a corner by themselves. Mr. Stewart +and Dr. MacGregor were busy with the sailing of the vessel, which +seemed to require a great deal of management at this stage; and Harry's +soul became filled with envy as he saw the other boys helping them +dexterously as though they had passed their lives on board a ship. + +Seeing Reggie perched half-way up the mast, helping to shake out a +sail, Harry tried to scramble up after him, but Hamish ordered him down. + +Harry turned and looked up with an indignant stare. + +The elder boy, who seemed almost grown-up in his yachting suit, met the +look with his usual good-natured smile, but did not seem disposed to be +trifled with. + +'You had better begin when the vessel's steady,' he said; 'it would +never do to fall overboard while she's going along at this rate.' + +'Why,' said Harry; 'couldn't you lower a boat?' + +'It would not do you much good,' said Hamish. 'The current's flowing +pretty rapidly one way, and the wind's driving us along at a fair speed +in exactly the opposite direction; you might be carried miles out into +the open before we could get a boat out.' + +Harry went to the side and looked down at the water that was eddying +past. + +'It wouldn't be at all nice to fall overboard here, would it?' said +Marjorie, who seemed to be blown along the deck, her hair flying in the +wind. 'It will soon be over now, and see how near the island has been +getting; we'll be there in no time.' + +She hurried off to help in the coiling of the ropes, and in about +half-an-hour the _Kelpie_ was brought alongside the rude stone pier of +Alvasay. + +First came a walk to a wonderful rocky fiord, where the stones that +were thrown down rebounded from side to side, and finally landed with a +dull thud in some stagnant-looking water at the bottom. Afterwards, +the day being hot, boys and girls scattered for a bathe. + +'I can swim twice across the school swimming-bath,' said Harry, picking +his way barefoot over the rocks and shivering a little, for although +the sun was hot, the wind seemed cold when one had nothing on. + +'You'll find it a bit rough with these waves against you,' said Reggie +briefly. + +'Far jollier,' said Harry, looking at the pebbles underneath the bright +waves and the masses of seaweed swaying to and fro--'ugh, it is cold +though!' + +When his splash had subsided he saw the island boys swimming far ahead +of him. In a little while he began to feel tired, and the waves seemed +to be growing bigger and bigger, and stronger and stronger. When he +was able to see over their crests he could make out the other two +sitting upon a rock which raised its head out of the water, and waiting +for him. + +After considerable efforts he reached the islet, grasped a point of +rock, and drew himself on to dry land. + +The others looked at him approvingly. Gerald was still splashing in +shallow water near the shore. + +'Good for you,' said Reggie; 'it's a pretty stiff sea for a fellow who +has only practised in a swimming-bath.' + +Harry did not look quite pleased. + +'I say,' began Allan, 'look at Gerald, he's actually trying to come out +to us. He is a plucky little chap.' + +'That he is,' said Hamish. 'I'll swim back and see if I can help him.' + +He dropped into the water and swam to meet Gerald, who was struggling +gallantly along, making very wry faces, and swallowing quantities of +water. With the bigger boy swimming by his side and occasionally +helping him Gerald got along fairly well, and in a little while +clambered on to the rocks, looking exceedingly happy. + +Diving from steep places and swimming until they were tired, then +getting out and sunning themselves on the warm rocks or sand of the +little islets, running races and pushing each other into the water, the +time passed quickly, and they were all surprised when Duncan came in +view signalling that tea was ready. + +They had been in the water long enough, for their teeth were chattering +and they could hardly get into their clothes for trembling. + +'I say,' began Harry with chattering teeth, 'you fellows ought to learn +to tread water and to swim on the side. They teach these things at the +swimming-baths. The ordinary kind of swimming does well enough in a +place like this----' + +'It's the best way of getting along, I should say,' suggested Reggie. + +'Yes,' said Harry rather contemptuously; 'getting along is all very +well; but when you're swimming where a lot of people see you, you like +to be able to do the fancy strokes. You need to have lessons for these +things though.' + +Reggie's dark, serious eyes exchanged a glance with Allan's amused ones. + +'Good thing Marjorie isn't here,' observed Allan in an aside; and the +other boys grinned as they thought of the way in which Marjorie always +had a reply ready for Harry when he was caught boasting. + +'What's that?' said Harry, his head popping out of the opening of his +shirt. + +Allan was saved from the necessity of replying by the reappearance of +Duncan, to say that 'The young gentlemen wass to please mek haste and +come at once, as effery one wass waiting for them.' + +During the walk from the bathing-place Allan was very silent, and all +tea-time he watched Reggie and Harry thoughtfully, and was evidently +revolving something in his mind. + +After tea he took an opportunity of saying to Marjorie, 'Now, Marjorie, +remember that we've got to make the _Kelpie_ late.' + +'I'll try to get lost,' said Marjorie. 'I hope they won't go off +without me though. You'd better lose yourself too, with one or two of +the others; and they'll notice if so many are absent.' + +'I'll do my best,' said Allan. 'I think we'll manage to keep them back +an hour or so. You might come this way, Reggie, will you?' + +Allan walked for some distance in silence, and Reggie began to wonder +what was coming. + +'Reggie,' began Allan, rather absently, 'have you been thinking that +you're going to school next term?' + +'Yes,' answered Reggie, wondering what this was going to lead to. + +'Well,' resumed Allan, 'you'll need to have some fights, you know, +almost as soon as you get there.' + +'I suppose so,' said Reggie. + +'I mean,' said Allan, 'even supposing that no one challenges you, +you'll have to fight some of the fellows at the very commencement, +don't you see, just to show that you're not the sort to be put upon.' + +Reggie listened attentively, but said nothing. + +'You haven't had much opportunity of practising yet, of course, and it +won't do, if you want to make a position for yourself in the school, +just to begin upon some of the new fellows, kids of your own size or a +little bigger; any one can do that. What you want is to challenge some +of the older fellows at the very beginning, and then, no one will try +humbugging you, as they do with the new fellows.' + +Reggie looked doubtful. The idea of making a position for himself was +tempting, but if it was only to be carried into effect by fighting +bigger boys he felt that the result might be failure. + +'What you want is practice,' resumed Allan. 'Now it's no use your +trying to fight me--I'm much too big and strong for you; nor Hamish, +for he's far too good-natured and would never hit out at you enough; so +it's awfully lucky we've got Harry here just now--he's just the very +fellow.' + +Reggie looked up in perplexity. + +'But how can I fight Harry?' he said; 'I've never quarrelled with him.' + +'You young duffer,' said Allan, 'you don't need to fight about anything +in particular. It's only for practice. Then we've got to make the +yacht late, you know, and this is no end of a good opportunity, as we +can't be expected to stay where the grown-ups are likely to find us +when we've got a fight on hand. Here's a nice quiet place, just behind +these rocks, and there's Harry wading in that pool; you can just fight +him at once, or I'll punch both your heads for you. Hullo, Harry! +Come along! Reggie wants to fight you. Now, go it, you two, and I'll +be umpire;' and before the younger boys knew what they were about they +were sparring at each other like a couple of angry cocks. + +'Straight, Reggie, you young duffer,' said Allan, settling himself to +give professional advice. 'Give it to him from the shoulder.' + +'I say, what's the row?' asked Hamish, who came strolling down to the +scene; 'so these two have come to loggerheads, have they?' + +'Not they,' replied Allan carelessly; 'it's only practice.' + +Marjorie's curly head rose above a rock behind which she had been lying +_perdu_; and when she saw what was going on she jumped up and scrambled +to the other side. + +'Whatever is the matter?' she cried. 'Can't you make them stop, Allan?' + +'Practice-fight,' replied Allan; 'don't call out, Marjorie; you'll +distract their attention.' + +Reggie, unused to fighting, soon began to have the worst of it, but he +struggled manfully until a well-planted blow from Harry knocked the +breath out of him. + +'That's enough for a beginning,' said Allan. 'You've done not so +badly, Reggie, for the first time, and you'll get into it all right by +practice.' + +'But what did he go at me for?' cried Harry, with a blank expression of +countenance. 'I didn't do anything to him.' + +'Nobody said you did, you duffer,' replied Allan; 'Reggie only wants to +be able to fight the fellows at school; and you and he can have a go at +each other every day if you like.' + +'Dear me,' said Mr. Matthews the minister, coming towards the group +with a concerned face; 'I am sorry to see that some of you have been +quarrelling. Pray, what has been the subject of dispute?' + +'It's nothing,' said Allan, 'only practice. There's no quarrel at all.' + +'What's this? what's this?' broke in the somewhat rasping voice of the +Sheriff, who had followed Mr. Matthews, unobserved by the young people; +'it seems that half-a-dozen boys cannot be together without coming to +blows.' + +'They're not fighting seriously,' cried Marjorie; 'it's only fun.' + +Mr. Matthews was looking both grieved and puzzled. + +'Dear me,' he said, shaking his head, 'this is most distressing. To +fight when you have not any ground for quarrelling. Why did you not +endeavour to dissuade them, Miss Marjorie?' + +'It's all right,' said Marjorie. 'What would be the good of +interfering?' + +The Sheriff said nothing, but he was looking so grimly amused that +Marjorie added hastily, 'Why, it doesn't matter! Why shouldn't they +fight if it amuses them? When once you learn to understand boys you +know that it's no use being surprised at anything they do!' + +'Allan! Reggie!' Mr. Stewart's voice was calling somewhat +impatiently. 'Go and look for the young ladies and gentlemen, Duncan; +quick, don't lose time, we're late already.' + +'Tear me,' observed Duncan, looking at Harry's and Reggie's somewhat +battered faces as they passed; 'so there hass peen a fight between you +two young gentlemen, and Mr. Allan hass been helping you. I wass +thinking from Mr. Allan's looks these last days tat there would pe some +mischief pefore ferry long! It iss ahl right, Miss Marjorie, it iss +ahl right,' he said soothingly, in response to her glance; 'we hev made +the _Kelpie_ an hour and a quarter late, whateffer. That iss ferry +good, although Rob says he will pe thinking it iss a pity that the sea +will not pe going to pe at ahl rough.' + +There was only enough breeze to fill the sails as the _Kelpie_ glided +gently towards the island of Erricha. The gulls sat balancing +themselves on the smooth swell of the waves; and as the vessel passed a +low rocky islet a number of seals flopped into the water and swam in +her wake. + +'It's awfully nice,' observed Gerald, his blue eyes shining with +enjoyment. + +'Yes,' replied Tricksy; 'we've had an awfully jolly day, but I've been +thinking, that all this time we've been doing nothing for Neil. We +ought to, you know, as we've made a compact.' + +Allan produced a bit of stick and began whittling it. + +'It would be nice if we could begin now,' observed Gerald. + +'It's all very well,' said Harry disgustedly, 'but there seems to be +nothing to do.' + +'I heard the Sheriff saying to Mother that the gipsies had come back +again,' said Tricksy. + +Reggie's dark eyes looked at Allan, who stopped his whittling. + +'Look!' said Marjorie abruptly, 'we're just rounding the headland.' + +The Grahams wondered at the sudden silence which fell upon the group. + +'We'll tack shore wards, Duncan,' announced Mr. Stewart. We would like +to spend an hour or two at the caves.' + +'Aye, aye, sir,' replied Duncan stiffly. + +Allan and Reggie began to look intent. + +'There's Rob coming forward,' said Marjorie softly. + +The Highlander touched his cap respectfully. + +'I do not think we can pe landing at ta Corrachin Caves to-night, sir,' +he said civilly but firmly; 'ta wind iss north-west and ta current iss +running ferry strong, sir. We wass thinking it would pe too dangerous.' + +'Tut, tut,' said Mr. Stewart; 'we're not going to be so timid as all +that, Rob. Just think of some of the days when we have landed, man.' + +'But Duncan and I was thinking that it wass a ferry tangerous sea +to-day, sir, ferry tangerous indeed, and we will pe afraid for ta +ladies, sir, and for ta young ladies and gentlemen.' + +'Nonsense, man,' returned Mr. Stewart; 'call this a heavy sea? I never +saw a better sea in my life. Tell Duncan to put her head south-east by +south.' + +But Duncan had taken the helm, and the vessel lay unexpectedly against +the wind. + +'It iss ta cross currents, sir,' said Rob. 'Yo-ho there! Slack the +main-sheet!' and the boys were easing off the rope before they had +realised what they were about. + +The vessel gave a plunge or two and then steadied herself, Duncan +standing with a grim face at the wheel. + +'It iss ahl right now, sir,' said Rob composedly; 'but we cannot pe +teking her back to catch a wind tat will tek her to Corrachin after +this.' + +Dr. MacGregor was looking surprised. + +'I can't think what ails the men,' fumed Mr. Stewart. 'There is +nothing unusual in the appearance of the sea so far as I can make out, +and I ought to know as well as they can.' + +'Successful mutiny,' muttered Marjorie; and the boys grinned. + +Mr. Graham walked to the side and looked down at the water, but did not +take it upon himself to express an opinion. + +'It looks as though the fellows were keeping something back,' continued +Mr. Stewart. + +'Perhaps it's one of their Highland superstitions,' suggested Mrs. +Stewart. 'I wouldn't take any more notice if I were you.' + +Silence fell as the _Kelpie_ glided past the caves. The vessel passed +near enough for those on board to look into the yawning hollows beneath +the overhanging cliffs, and to hear the thunder of the angry sea which +always beat upon that shore. + +Marjorie and the boys felt a lump rise in their throats as they thought +of the comrade driven to seek refuge in that desolate spot. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +SURROUNDED + +'Twelfth of August,' said Allan; 'Pater's out on the moors with Mr. +Graham, slow day for us; suppose we take the boat and go fishing for +crabs!' + +'All right, let's,' said Marjorie; 'Harry's in a fidgety mood and will +be quarrelling with some one presently if he has nothing to do.' + +'I say, you fellows,' cried Allan, 'we're going crab fishing. Come +along and let's rummage out the lines, Reggie. We must be sure and get +enough for all. Tricksy, you might ask Duncan to put some provisions +in a basket for us, as we shan't be home for tea or supper. Let's +hurry up or we'll lose the best of the afternoon.' + +The various belongings having been collected, the boys and girls +trooped down to the cove and began loosening the Craft. + +Laddie and Carlo, who had followed uninvited, came and stood by the +boat, pricking up their ears. + +'Can't take you, Laddie,' said Allan; 'we're going a long way and +there's no room for you in the boat.' + +Laddie smiled an intelligent dog smile and wagged his tail as though to +say, 'I'll wait and see whether you won't change your mind, young sir.' + +'Come now, a good shove all together,' said Allan; and the boat ran +down to the water. + +'All right; chuck in the things, Reggie; and now, girls, will you take +your places.' + +They all seated themselves and the Craft was pushed off. + +'Go home, Laddie,' called out Reggie to the two dogs, who were standing +side by side on the shore, looking pitifully disappointed. + +The dogs remained looking after the boat for a minute or two; then they +gave each other a resigned glance and turned tail and trotted off, +having evidently made up their minds to seek consolation in some other +form of amusement. + +The boat was rowed to where a bottom of weedy stones showed through the +water, then Allan began to explain to his guests the method of fishing. + +'You see this weight on the end of the line,' he said, 'and there's a +bit of scarlet cloth attached; well, you let down the line to the +stones and then draw it up again like this, and keep doing so until the +crabs come out to see what's the matter; then you dance it up and down +in front of them until they get into a rage, and catch hold of it; then +you draw it up on board and the silly asses are too angry to let go and +you catch them, don't you see?' + +'Jolly fun,' said Harry, and a smile overspread Gerald's features. 'I +suppose you get a lot of them that way?' + +'Yes,' said Marjorie, 'but don't jump about so, Harry; you're making +the boat bob from side to side.' + +Harry muttered something and drew back into the boat. All the lines +were flung out, and every now and again an irate crab was drawn up, +clinging obstinately to the string. + +The sport proved most absorbing, but after a little, Tricksy happening +to look towards the shore drew Marjorie's attention to two figures +standing on the hillside. + +'What's the matter, Marjorie?' said Reggie, as the girl changed colour. + +Following the direction of her eyes his attitude stiffened, and Allan +and Hamish looked to see what was the matter. + +'It's Gibbie MacKerrach,' said Reggie, 'and he's talking to Andrew +MacPeters.' + +The combination had an ominous sound, and they all looked extremely +concerned. + +'What's the matter?' asked Harry. + +'It's that gipsy lad who used to like Neil so much,' said Allan; 'the +other is the fellow who we suspect may have been the thief. It's to be +hoped that he is not making Gibbie tell him things that will do harm to +Neil.' + +'Which one is the gipsy?' asked Harry. 'I heard father say that they +were camping on the moor not far from the Corrachin Caves.' + +Marjorie, Allan, and Reggie looked at each other with startled eyes. +Then Allan said, 'Pull away from here, will you, Reggie, and don't let +them see us if you can help it. It would be better that Andrew should +not know that we saw him with Gibbie.' + +'Now,' said Allan, after the boat had been rowed out of sight. 'We can +try some deep-sea fishing.' + +Reggie caught a small haddock which was divided among the party for +bait, and the lines were thrown out again. + +In a little while Reggie drew in a small cod, and a minute afterwards a +good-sized haddock was found to be on Harry's line. + +'Gently, Harry, gently, you'll get the line broken,' said Hamish +warningly as Harry sprang up and Gerald danced about in his seat, to +the great discomfort of Tricksy. + +'There you are!' cried Marjorie, as the fish was drawn leaping and +struggling into the boat. + +'Hullo!' said Harry triumphantly; 'it's a fine big one and no mistake!' + +'It's a good size,' said Marjorie, 'but, Harry, _would_ you mind not +kicking my feet as you jump about.' + +Harry muttered an apology, and just at that moment Hamish drew in a big +cod, then two little haddocks were pulled up by Tricksy. + +'Gerald, look at your line,' cried Harry, springing forward, and Gerald +pulled in a haddock, while Allan and Hamish steadied the boat, which +had been set rocking by Harry's sudden movement. + +It was a beautiful evening, and the fish were taking well, but sport +was spoiled by the incapacity of the Grahams to keep still. If Harry +hooked a fish Gerald sprang up to look, and if any one else had a take +Harry pranced backwards and forwards until it was drawn on board. + +At last Hamish suggested that it was time to row to the Pirates' Island +and have tea in the Den. + +'Yes, I think so,' said Marjorie, somewhat irritably. 'I've had my +ankles tripped over quite often enough as it is.' + +'And I've been _trying_ to keep my feet out of the way,' said Tricksy, +rather dolefully, 'but one has to put them somewhere, you know.' + +'Have you been so uncomfortable?' said Harry, looking round with serene +unconsciousness; 'Hamish's boots _are_ rather big.' + +A smile travelled round the group as the lines were hastily wound up. + +'You'll feel better after tea,' said Hamish soothingly. + +The sun was already low when they landed, and Marjorie and Tricksy went +into the cottage at once to get tea ready while Reggie fetched peats, +and Allan and Hamish lingered behind to secure the Craft. + +The Grahams, finding themselves with no special duties, wandered +aimlessly about, getting into the way of the busy people. + +'We've had a jolly fine take, haven't we?' said Harry, sauntering up to +Reggie, who was busy at the peat-stack. + +'Not bad,' said Reggie briefly. 'Here, take an armful of these, will +you, and carry them into the house.' + +Harry carried in the peats and set them down by the fire-place, where +Marjorie was busy frying fish, while Tricksy was making bannocks at the +table. + +'I say, Marjorie,' began Harry, 'we've had fine sport, haven't we?' + +'Yes,' replied Marjorie absently. + +Harry looked at the two girls, who went on quietly and busily with +their work. + +'I caught as many as Allan, didn't I?' he began again. + +'I'm sure I don't know,' said Marjorie indifferently. She was tired +and the peat smoke was making her eyes smart, and it irritated her to +see Harry doing nothing. + +'But surely you kept count,' persisted Harry; 'I caught more than +Hamish, anyhow.' + +'I wasn't looking,' said Marjorie. 'If you caught more than Hamish +to-day it was more than you do when you go trout fishing. I wish you +would go away now, Harry, and not talk to me until tea is ready.' + +'Let her alone, Harry,' remonstrated Gerald, who had followed his +brother into the hut; but Harry was in a teasing mood and Marjorie's +reply had stung him. + +'Cross patch!' he muttered, giving her elbow a shove. + +Marjorie had not been prepared for the movement, which jerked some of +the fish into the fire. In an instant she turned round and pinned +Harry against the wall, while her eyes blazed. + +'Harry! you struck a lady!--Apologise!' + +'No, I won't,' muttered Harry, struggling to free himself. His arms +were held as in a vice. + +'Are you going to apologise for having hit a lady?' reiterated Marjorie. + +'No,' replied Harry, trying desperately to free himself, and becoming +aware that the other boys were nearing the door of the hut. + +The struggle was prolonged for a minute or two, and then, just as the +boys, to Harry's unspeakable confusion, were on the point of coming in, +Marjorie slowly relaxed her hold and let him go. + +Harry left the cottage, followed by Gerald, and seated himself on the +turf dyke with his chin resting on his hands. For a long time he gazed +blankly in front of him, and neither boy spoke. + +At last Harry began, 'I say, Gerald, do you think they saw?' + +'Yes,' answered Gerald; 'I'm afraid they did.' + +Harry dropped his chin on his hands again and reflected. + +'Do you think it was because of that that they didn't come in at +first?' he queried after awhile. + +'I think so,' said Gerald; 'they didn't want to have to interfere.' + +A long pause followed. Harry gazed seawards, absorbed in gloomy +reflections. + +'It was awfully stupid of you to go on teasing her,' said Gerald; 'any +one could have seen that she was going to lose her temper. She's so +strong too; always rowing and climbing, and doing things like a boy.' + +'Don't tell the boys at school,' said Harry, after a long time; then he +relapsed into silence again. + +Suddenly he pulled himself together, and jumped off the dyke just as +Marjorie was coming out of the hut. + +'Look here,' he began, planting himself in front of her, with a flush +rising to his face; 'I apologise! but it's because I shouldn't have hit +you and not because you held me.' + +'It's all right,' said Marjorie, who was sorry that she had lost her +temper; 'don't let's think of it any more but come and have tea.' + +The other boys tried to drown any lingering embarrassment by talking +very fast, and the meal became an animated, if not a merry one. + +'Hark,' said Reggie suddenly, 'what's that?' + +They all became silent and listened, Allan standing up. A deep rushing +noise was filling the cottage, and rapidly increasing in volume. + +'It's the tide-way,' said Reggie; 'we've forgotten to keep a look-out.' + +All trooped out of the cottage and looked at the angry current which +was sweeping past both shores of the island. + +'Here's a jolly go,' said Allan; 'we shan't get home to-night.' + +Tricksy looked frightened and Harry amazed, but Marjorie's face cleared +and she jumped up and clapped her hands with glee. + +'Oh, hooray, hooray,' she said; 'just what I always wanted. We'll have +to spend the night in the cottage. Oh, what fun!' + +'But won't Mrs. Stewart be frightened?' suggested Gerald, the +thoughtful boy. + +'Not she,' said Marjorie; 'she knows that we can take care of +ourselves; besides, Father and Mr. Stewart made us promise that if we +were surrounded by a tide-way we were not to try to come home, however +long we might have to wait. It would be quite impossible for us to row +across. We must make up our minds to spend the night here.' + +They remained out of doors a little longer, discussing the situation, +while the red turned to grey beyond the far-off islands; then they went +indoors to make preparations for the night. + +Fresh peats were cast on the fire, and the stores of cut heather were +brought out and laid on the floor to serve as beds. Marjorie lighted +the lamp which hung from the ceiling, and its smoky glare lighted up a +circle of eager, wakeful faces. + +The novelty of their surroundings, together with the voice of the +current, which was running deep and swift round their tiny strip of an +island, took from them all disposition to sleep during the early part +of the night. It was not until the lamp had burnt out, and Tricksy's +head had sunk heavily against Marjorie's knee that the rushing became +fainter and finally died away, and one by one the listeners dropped to +sleep upon their heather couches. + +It was about midnight when Marjorie awoke, aroused by a slight noise, +and the flames from the peats showed her Allan staring in front of him +with wakeful eyes, and listening. + +'What is it?' she asked. + +'Hush, don't wake the others. There it is again--now, hark.' + +Marjorie listened, and in the calm night she distinctly heard the +grating of oars in rowlocks and the sound of a boat's bows dividing the +water. + +'It's some one coming for us,' she said. + +'No, for they would have called out before they got so near.' + +Marjorie jumped into a sitting posture and her eyes gleamed. + +'What if it should be the smugglers?' she suggested. + +She was not frightened, only excited, for the situation promised some +adventure. + +'It's more likely to be Neil,' said Allan. 'He comes here sometimes. +Let's go out and see, but tread softly and don't disturb the +youngsters.' + +They threaded their way cautiously among the sleepers, shivering a +little with the chilliness of the air and with excitement, and stood +out of doors in the cool quiet night. + +'Crouch down, Marjorie, and keep behind the dyke,' said Allan. 'Let's +make certain that it _is_ Neil before we show ourselves.' + +By this time the boat was close to the shore, and its occupant sprang +out. + +The cloudy moonlight showed the face and figure to be those of Neil. + +'Stand up, Marjorie; let him see it's a girl,' said Allan, 'and he'll +know that he's safe.' + +Marjorie stood up, and called 'Neil! Hist! Neil!' + +The figure turned round. + +'Who is that?' asked a voice in Gaelic. + +'It's Marjorie, Neil; and Allan.' + +Neil carefully secured the boat and came forward. + +'What are you doing here, Miss Marjorie, at this time of night? and +Allan too? Has anything happened?' + +'We're shipwrecked, Neil; or rather we've been cut off by the +tide-way,' said Marjorie. + +'The others are here,' said Allan, 'in the cottage; you're quite safe. +Come along.' + +They entered very softly, Neil dragging his limbs as though he were +fatigued. + +'What's the row?' inquired Reggie, opening his eyes. + +'Hush, don't wake the others,' said Marjorie; but already Harry had +stirred on his heather couch. + +'It's Neil,' said Allan, as the boy sprang up, wide awake. 'He's going +to stay here till morning.' + +'Neil?' repeated Harry. 'Oh, I say, what a lark. Gerald, wake up, you +lazy beggar, here's Neil at last--Neil, I tell you; get up,' and he +administered a shove to his sleeping brother. + +By this time all the inmates of the cottage were awake, Hamish being +the last to open a pair of bewildered, sleepy eyes. Room was made for +Neil at the fire, the smouldering peats were roused to life, and the +boys and girls clustered round, staring and asking questions, much too +excited to think of sleep. + +'How is your mother, Neil?' asked Tricksy, whose dark eyes looked +bigger and darker than ever between surprise and sleepiness. + +'She iss better, thank you, Miss Tricksy. I will have left her +sleeping quietly, and I will pe coming here so that I can be going back +early to see how she iss in the morning.' + +Then after a little hesitation he added, 'She has made me promise that +I'll go away now. Rob MacLean's boat goes to-morrow evening.' + +'Oh, what a sell!' exclaimed Harry, who had been sitting cross-legged +by his hero and looking up in his face with sparkling eyes. 'I mean,' +he added, somewhat confusedly, as he saw the faces of the others, 'I'm +sorry you have to go; it would have been such fun if you could have +stayed.' + +They conversed a little longer, but quietly, for the darkness and +silence which reigned outside their little shelter, and the monotonous +lapping of the waves made them drowsy; and one by one they dropped to +sleep. + +Marjorie was the first to awaken. The clear morning light was already +filling the hut, and the others were lying around and breathing heavily. + +She rose and went out of doors. + +The sun had not yet risen, but the clouds in the east were red. Some +gulls were rising languidly above the shimmering water. + +Marjorie stood looking about her for a minute or two; then she ran into +the cottage. + +'Allan,' she cried, 'wake up! There are some people standing on the +shore; your father and Mr. Graham and some others and Laddie is with +them. They are just going to launch the boat. Get up, quick; there's +no time to lose!' + +Neil was already on his feet, the events of the past few months having +taught him to keep on the alert; and the others had begun to open their +eyes and stretch themselves. + +'Hullo,' said Reggie, grasping the situation, 'boat coming over here; +that will never do.' + +'Hurry up,' said Allan, 'or they'll be across before you know where you +are.' + +'You had better wait until we've gone,' said Marjorie to Neil. 'Stay +in the cottage, or they may see you.' + +Hastily saying good-bye they ran down to the shore, but stopped short +in dismay. + +The boat was gone. + +'Comes of not having fastened her securely,'. said Allan; 'the current +has carried her away.' + +'What shall we do?' said Marjorie. 'We'll have every one coming to the +island. Hide Neil; let's pile all the heather on the top of him----' + +'What's the matter?' cried Neil from the hut. 'Why are you waiting?' + +'The boat's gone,' they cried. + +Neil came out. + +'Mine's still there, on the other side,' he said. 'Take her, and some +of you can come back for me.' + +'Oh, Neil, we couldn't do that! What if any one were to come in the +meanwhile?' + +'We must risk it. It will be better than bringing the whole boat-load +upon us. Quick, get in; they will be shoving down the boat.' + +In another minute they had pushed off, leaving Neil behind. + +When the boat left the island the figures on shore stood still and +waited; and half-way across Marjorie waved her handkerchief. + +'It's Father,' said Tricksy, 'with Mr. Graham and Duncan and a lot of +others; and there's Laddie jumping about and barking.' + +'Allan,' said Marjorie, touching his arm, 'there's Andrew MacPeters, do +you see him? standing behind the others.' + +The boat glided in beside the landing stones, while a row of anxious +faces watched and waited. + +'Down, Laddie,' said Mr. Stewart, as the collie rushed forward with a +joyful welcome. 'So there you are,' he said to the young people. 'You +are not cold, are you?' + +'We're all right, Father,' said Allan. 'We landed on that island +yesterday evening and we were surrounded by the tide-way so we could +not return. I hope Mother was not anxious. We thought you would +rather we stayed there than tried to cross when the current was +flowing.' + +'You were quite right not to try to get back under these +circumstances,' said Mr. Stewart gravely; and the young people knew +that he had been anxious, although he did not wish to blame them. + +Mr. Graham said nothing, but after his eyes had travelled over the +group, and he had, as Tricksy afterwards expressed it, 'counted his +boys,' he placed himself between them and set off in the direction of +Ardnavoir, still without speaking except to ask them whether they had +wet feet. + +Reggie, as the quickest runner, was sent on ahead to tell his mother +that they had returned, and a brisk walk brought them all to the house. + +'By the way,' said Mr. Stewart as the young people were refreshing +themselves with a good breakfast; 'what man was that who was with you +on the island?' + +A startled movement went round the group, and Allan looked at his +father without replying. + +'That man who helped you with the boat,' said Mr. Stewart; 'he stayed +behind after you left; who was he?' + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +ANDREW MACPETERS + +For a moment no one stirred; then Allan braced himself to meet the +difficulty. + +'I'm sorry, Father; but I can't tell you that,' he said. + +Mr. Stewart looked at him in astonishment. + +'You can't tell me? You mean you don't know?' + +Allan was silent. + +Mr. Stewart waited. + +Tricksy crept closer to Marjorie and trembled with dismay. + +'You associate with people that you cannot tell your parents about,' +said Mr. Stewart in great displeasure; 'and you allow him to associate +with your little sister and with Marjorie. I am sorry that I must +forbid the use of the boat until you tell me who was with you this +morning.' + +Allan waited with a white face until his father had left the room; then +he turned to the others. + +'No one is to let out who it was,' he said. 'You have all signed the +Compact, and any one breaking it will have me to reckon with.' + +Reggie's brown face wore an expression which showed that he, at least, +meant to be trustworthy; and Marjorie's lips set themselves firmly. +The Grahams, major and minor, had said little, but now Harry's eyes +sparkled, and Gerald flushed, as he always did when he was trying to be +brave. + +'But, Allan,' said Tricksy in a trembling voice, 'wouldn't it be better +to tell Father about it and ask him to let us have the boat for Neil? +We must get him away from the island, you know.' + +'Can't tell Pater, Tricksy,' replied Allan. 'It would be all right if +they hadn't made him a Justice of the Peace; that's some kind of a +judge, you know. He couldn't help any one like Neil; indeed I'm not +sure that he wouldn't have to telegraph for the Sheriff and let him +know that Neil is here, and it would be a dreadful thing for Father to +have to do that.' + +'Then how are we going to get Neil away from the Den,' said Tricksy. +'They'll find him if he stays there.' + +'Allan,' said Marjorie firmly, 'Hamish and I will go. We haven't been +forbidden the use of the boat.' + +'We'll go too,' said Harry. 'We aren't his children, and Mr. Stewart +didn't say anything to us.' + +'All right, Marjorie,' said Allan; 'you'd better all go, for Neil's old +boat is pretty heavy to get through the water. Quick, there isn't a +minute to lose.' + +Little was said as the old herring-boat was pushed off and manned, for +even Harry was feeling subdued. + +'It's all right, Neil,' said Marjorie as the boat landed and Neil +looked inquiringly for the others; 'they've been kept at home by their +father. We'll land you at the Skegness Cliffs as there's least chance +of being seen there.' + +The passage was accomplished without incident, but as Neil stood up to +spring ashore Hamish uttered an exclamation and pointed to the top of +the cliff. All looked up. A man was standing on the verge, and +looking down. + +'It's Andrew MacPeters again,' said Hamish. + +'Let's land somewhere else,' said Marjorie. + +'No use, Miss Marjorie,' said Neil. 'If he means ill by me he will +give the alarm; it will be better for me to be landing while there iss +still a chance. I'm not afraid if I only have him to deal with.' + +He stood up once more, then turned to the others. 'Remember,' he said, +'whatever happens, my mother iss to be told that I haf left the island. +Miss Marjorie, you promise?' + +'I promise,' answered Marjorie; then Neil sprang on shore and vanished +behind a mass of rock. + +For a minute or two they remained looking up at the cliff, but nothing +was to be seen of Andrew MacPeters; then they rowed slowly back to the +place where the Craft had been moored. + +'Well?' said Allan and Reggie, who met them half-way on the road to +Ardnavoir. + +The others gave a brief account of what had taken place. + +'Bad luck,' said Allan when they had described the encounter with +Andrew MacPeters. 'I'd back Neil against Andrew any day; he won't +interfere with Neil himself, but then the fellow's quite capable of +giving the alarm to the police.' + +They wandered disconsolately a little farther. + +'It seems horrid to have to give Mrs. Macdonnell that message,' said +Marjorie; 'but it will have to be done, I suppose, since we promised.' + +'Yes, Marjorie,' said Hamish, 'it will have to be done. It would be +enough to kill her if she knew that Neil was in danger.' + +Who was to be entrusted with the message? Every one looked at +Marjorie, who became red and looked unhappy as she realised what was +expected of her. + +'You will have to do it,' said Allan. + +'Me?' said Marjorie; 'no, you go, Allan.' + +'No,' said Allan decidedly; 'it's not the kind of thing for a fellow. +It needs a girl, so it will have to be you.' + +'Allan is quite right, Marjorie,' joined in Hamish; 'there is no one +but you who can do it. Mind you don't let her see that you are not +telling the truth.' + +Marjorie looked very distressed, but saw she must make up her mind. + +'Well, you come with me as far as the cottage,' she said; and the +entire party set off. + +Arrived at the gate, Allan threw it open, and Marjorie walked up the +path and disappeared inside the cottage. + +The others sat down on the heather and waited. + +A long time seemed to pass, and then Marjorie reappeared looking very +subdued. + +'All right, Marjorie?' inquired Allan. + +Marjorie nodded without speaking, and others judged it best to refrain +from asking questions. + +For some time they walked in silence, and then Tricksy quietly slipped +into the place next to Marjorie. + +After a while, finding that the boys were out of earshot. Tricksy +sidled closer, and ventured to ask Marjorie very gently how Mrs. +Macdonnell had received the message. + +'I--I--I--she was in bed,' said Marjorie, 'and I went to her, and it +was rather dark, and after I had asked how she was and all that, +I--I--I just told her. She never thought I was saying what wasn't +true, for she said "Thank God for that."' + +Marjorie ended with a little tearless sob, and neither of the girls +could find anything to say for a little while. + +When the boys came beside them again Tricksy walked on silently for a +little way, then she suddenly burst out-- + +'I don't care, but what's the use of a Compact if we can't do anything +to help Neil? There he is, in great danger, and Mrs. Macdonnell may +hear of it any day, and if she does it will kill her; and we haven't +done anything that's of any use.' + +'What do you think we can do?' replied Reggie gruffly. + +'Why, bustle about until we find out who stole the letters. Here we +are, and we find little bits of paper which ought to tell us something +if we had any sense, but we don't get further. Seven of us and we +can't help poor Neil when he is in trouble.' + +Nobody seemed to have anything to say, and Tricksy burst out again-- + +'You say you know who was the real thief?' + +'We think we do, Tricksy,' interposed Hamish; 'but we don't know for +certain.' + +'Then why don't we make sure?' + +'How would you do it, Tricksy?' asked Allan, while the others trudged +steadily onwards. + +'Why, watch him wherever he goes; and we'd soon find out where he kept +the papers if he had taken them.' + +There was no answer for a moment. + +Then Allan said gravely, 'That wouldn't be honourable, Tricksy. We +must play fair, you know.' + +'Honourable! Honourable to a thief!--But yes, of course we must. +Well, I don't know what's to be done then,' and Tricksy concluded by a +big sigh. + +When the coastguard station came in view a man was standing at the +gate, scanning the road with a telescope. Upon catching sight of the +young people he lowered the glass and came forward. + +'Euan Macdonnell,' said Reggie, quickening his pace; 'let's hear +whether he has any news.' + +'I was on the lookout for you, young ladies and gentlemen,' said Euan. +'We've just got a telephone message from the Corrachin lighthouse sent +by Rob MacLean. We were to tell you that Neil has reached the caves +and is safe for the meanwhile, and he supposes that you, young ladies +and gentlemen, have remembered the message to his mother.' + +'If only Andrew hasn't seen him,' said Marjorie after the first +exclamations of thankfulness. + +Euan looked grave as he heard how Andrew had witnessed the landing. + +'I don't trust that fellow for an instant,' he said. 'He would think +nothing of putting the police on the alert if he had a mind to. We can +only hope that he hasn't recognised Neil, or that Rob will find a way +of getting the poor lad out of the island before any harm comes.' + +When the young people had reached Ardnavoir, weary and discouraged, Mr. +Stewart was in the hall. 'I know who was with you this morning,' he +said abruptly. 'Was it by accident that you met?' + +'Yes,' said Allan. + +'Your boat was stranded on the Reachin Skerry,' went on Mr. Stewart, +'and the men have brought her home. You may have the use of her again.' + +'Thank you, Father,' said Allan. + +They all scanned Mr. Stewart's face to read, if possible, his +intentions regarding Neil; but nothing was to be gathered. + +'Isn't Father a dear?' said Tricksy, when they had wandered out to the +cricket-ground. 'He knows we couldn't betray our friend, not even for +him.' + +'Yes,' said Reggie; 'but the question is whether he will have to do +something himself, since he's a J.P.' + +The question was not answered that day, and during the next they were +still in ignorance. + +On the third day it was discovered that detectives were in the island +again, and Euan brought the news that every boat was watched both +coming and going. + +The days dragged on in suspense, and still Neil was in the caves. Rob +MacLean had a plan for conveying him away by night and landing him +somewhere on the coast of Scotland, from whence the lad was to tramp to +some large town and stow himself away on a vessel bound for America; +but the bright, full moon rendered any such attempts impossible for the +meanwhile. + +'Isn't it too bad?' broke out Marjorie one day; 'I think the law is +cruel if it forces Mr. Stewart to have Neil arrested. I wonder how he +could do it. He knows as well as we do that Neil isn't a thief.' + +'It wasn't Father,' said Allan. 'I happen know that he's lying low and +won't take any notice. All our people are bound together not to betray +Neil, but some one has been a traitor; they don't know who. Neil has a +secret enemy in the place.' + +They all thought they knew who this was, but no one could bring the +deed home to the culprit. All desire for fun and adventure seemed to +have left them, and the boys and girls wandered about disconsolately or +sat in groups talking about plans which they were unable to carry out; +or later, ceased to find anything at all to suggest. Even the dogs +seemed to know that something was the matter, for they would lie +quietly beside the children for hours, and sometimes Laddie would +thrust his nose into some one's hand and look up with his honest, +affectionate eyes full of sympathy. + +The weather became more broken, and sometimes all intercourse between +Ardnavoir and Corranmore was cut off during the greater part of a day. + +When the rain ceased, Andrew MacPeters, looking up from his work, would +find Reggie's dark eyes contemplating him as their owner sat astride +upon a dyke, or Allan considering him with hands in his pockets, and a +thoughtful countenance; or else it was the Grahams who regarded him +with a mixture of interest and aversion, or Tricksy with her great eyes +resting upon him with an expression of sorrow that any one could be so +dreadfully wicked. + +The lad would look up with a surly expression in his red-lidded eyes; +but watch as they might, they never detected in him any expression of +guilt or embarrassment. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +CAUGHT + +The evening had closed in heavy rain, and towards morning a gusty wind +arose, buffeting the walls of Corranmore and making wild noises in the +ruin. + +Marjorie awoke and sat up in bed. A moment's hearkening convinced her +that what the islanders most dreaded had become reality; a westerly +gale had arisen while Neil was still in the caves. + +She sprang to the window; and the grey light showed her an angry sea, +with the white horses leaping and hurrying towards the Corrachin +headland. + +The tide was rising, and was being driven eastward with terrific force +by the gale. + +Marjorie ran to her brother's room; but a glance showed her an empty +bed. + +'No time to lose,' said Marjorie to herself; 'perhaps he has gone to +warn Neil, and perhaps he hasn't; in any case I'd better go too.' + +She hurried on some clothing and ran out of doors. The wind had swept +the clouds towards the east, and an angry dawn was breaking above the +hills. Marjorie sped over the drenched grass and heather, the wind was +lifting her nearly off her feet, and blowing her frock in front of her +like a sail. There were more than three miles of rugged country +between Corranmore and the headland. It was a race between herself and +the tide; and the tide seemed to be gaining. + +Marjorie ran on and on. Neither Hamish nor any other living creature +was in sight. The sheep had left the moors and the gulls were taking +refuge inland. + +At last the headland came in view. A glance showed Marjorie that the +waves had not yet reached high-water mark. Mechanically she chose the +road by the shore. + +Now the wind was partly against her, and at times threatened to pin her +against the cliff; but Marjorie struggled forward. Soon the rocks were +frowning above her head, while the breakers were coming closer, rising +in solid walls which thundered as they fell. Showers of spray were +flung shoreward; and looking up at the wet glistening cliffs Marjorie +wondered whether foothold would be possible upon them, and what her +feelings would be were she to find herself caged between the cliffs and +the breakers. + +Yet she did not feel frightened, only excited. + +At the caves she had only time to make a dash before a huge breaker +fell; and some of the water swirled after her into the opening. + +'Neil!' she cried; 'Neil!' + +Neil was lying watching the flood quite calmly, as though it did not +concern him in the least. + +Catching sight of Marjorie he looked up in amazement; then sprang to +his feet. + +'Is Hamish here?' shouted Marjorie. + +Her voice was drowned in the thunder of waves and wind. + +Neil led her to a small chamber in the rocks, lighted from above, and +where the tumult was softened into a dull roar; and she repeated her +question. + +'No, Miss Marjorie, I hef not seen him,' answered Neil. Their voices +sounded strangely muffled, the force of the breakers making the walls +of the little cavern tremble. + +'Then, Neil, you must leave this at once; the caves will be flooded in +another minute, and I've come all this way to warn you.' + +'Did you, Miss Marjorie? Did you indeed? You came to warn me. No, +indeed; I cannot let you stay here.' + +'How are we to get out, Neil? I think the tide is at the foot of the +cliffs now?' + +As she spoke a stream of water broke in and ran along the floor of +their little shelter. + +'It iss too late to get out that way now, Miss Marjorie,' said Neil; +'and in any case it would be too slippery that the cliffs would be. I +will pe knowing an opening leading to the moor, where it's not +difficult to climb up. Come this way.' + +He helped her along the passages. Soon they were in total darkness. +The flood was gaining upon them, and the noise rendered it impossible +to exchange a word. Sometimes the water hissed and gurgled at their +heels, and sometimes they plunged ankle-deep into pools. + +They slipped and scrambled along, Marjorie clinging to her guide; and +presently a glimmer of light came from above. + +'Here we are, Miss Marjorie,' said Neil. 'If you could be managing to +climb up here we would come out on the moor.' + +The ascent was broken and dangerous, and was in some places only very +imperfectly lighted. Neil, with his sailor's training, swung himself +from point to point, sometimes drawing Marjorie up to a ledge, and +sometimes instructing her where to set her feet. At last the welcome +daylight burst upon them, and grasping the tufts of heather, they drew +themselves on to firm ground. + +'At last,' said Marjorie, throwing herself down on the heather, and +blinking in the sun. 'Now you can go to the lighthouse, Neil.' + +'Hullo,' said a voice; and Marjorie looked up to see the laird and Mr. +Graham, who had come all this way to watch the storm at the Corrachin +Caves, and were very much astonished at this sudden encounter. + +'Run, Neil,' gasped Marjorie; but Neil drew himself together. + +'It iss no use,' he said; 'they will be watching wherever I will go, +and I hev not a chance.' + +Then to Mr. Stewart he said, 'I am not for trying to escape. I know I +shall be taken. I'd rather give myself up to you than to any one else. +If you wass not to be letting my mother know it iss grateful to you I +will be, sir.' + +The laird looked greatly distressed. + +'Neil, my lad,' he said, 'I have no warrant for arresting you. It's +none of my business. You may go away if you like; I shall not try to +prevent you.' + +Neil shook his head. + +'It iss no use, sir,' he said; 'I would rather yield of my own accord +than be taken, and I have no chance of escaping now. I had nothing to +do with the theft of the letters, but it iss no matter. My mother hass +not long to live, and she need neffer know if things go against me. +Keep it from her if you can.' + +Marjorie stood by, white and trembling, and nearer to shedding tears +than she could have believed possible. + +'You can come with me for the present, Neil,' said the laird; 'we'll +see what can be done.' + +A pony cart was chartered from the nearest farmhouse. Marjorie got in +with the others and a sorrowful party set out across the moors. + +When they reached Ardnavoir, the ill news seemed to have preceded them, +for Reggie looked stormily from an upper window and then came into the +hall where Allan and the Grahams were already waiting, and Mrs. Stewart +came downstairs accompanied by Tricksy, whose eyes were very big and +dark with dismay. + +Neil dropped into the chair that was offered him, and leant his head on +his hand, while the others gathered silently around him. Allan and +Reggie were nearest, one on either side, and Reggie put his hand +protectingly on his friend's shoulder. In the background, Mr. Stewart +fidgeted with the things that had been carried in from the pony cart, +and Tricksy was silently shedding tears, poor little girl, leaning +against her mother. + +The only one who could think of anything to do was Laddie, who came in, +planted himself in front of Neil, and endeavoured to express his +sympathy by slipping his nose under the lad's disengaged hand. Almost +without knowing that he was doing it, Neil put out his hand and +caressed the dog's smooth head, and the two remained thus in a silent +understanding. + +Every one was feeling very miserable when there came a sound of wheels; +a gig drew up at the door, and several persons sprang down and burst +into the hall. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +HAMISH TO THE RESCUE + +The storm which awakened Marjorie had also roused Hamish. He awoke to +hear the rain pouring down, and the burn rushing along in heavy spate. + +'Fine fishing, to-morrow,' said Hamish to himself, 'but, whew! how the +wind's rising. The rain can't last long at this rate.' + +He lay a little longer, listening to the rushing of the burn; then he +began to think of the people who might be without shelter that night; +Neil (who he hoped would take shelter in one of the cottages if the +gale continued) and the gipsies, and Gibbie MacKerrach. + +At the thought of Gibbie a sudden recollection came into his sleepy +brain. + +He remembered the lad's lair in the hills, above his father's house, +and that the wind had been blowing from that direction on the day when +a paper had been found fluttering in the ruins. + +Had no one ever connected the crazy lad with the robbery? + +The idea seemed fanciful, but still it would do no harm to go and +examine Gibbie's curious little cave on the hillside. + +Hamish thought he would set out at once, before daylight came and made +him feel how ridiculous it was to think of such a thing. + +The dawn was hardly making any headway through the clouds and the rain, +and Hamish pulled up the collar of his coat and pushed forward in the +darkness. + +As he toiled up the hill the wind was rising in angry squalls and after +awhile the rain ceased and a large break began to open in the clouds, +letting the grey light through. + +The burn, along whose banks Hamish was making his way, was coming down +tumultuously, bearing with it bits of stick, clods of earth, and other +rubbish. Once or twice Hamish fancied he saw a bit of white paper +whirl past, but it was carried down stream before he could reach it. + +At last he reached the hollow where Gibbie's little dwelling was +situated. Just above there was a little cascade, and the swollen +waters, coming down with a rush, overflowed their banks and flooded the +lair, sweeping out a quantity of straw mixed with scraps of paper. + +Hamish plunged into the stream and caught straw, papers and all in his +arms. + +A shout from the lair made him look round, and there stood Gibbie, +soaked with wet, and plastered with mud from head to foot. + +'You must not be touching these,' cried the lad; 'they're for Neil, all +for Neil!' + +'All right, Gibbie,' said Hamish tranquilly; 'you can give them to Neil +as soon as you like, I was only keeping them from being carried away.' + +'Who told you I had seen Neil?' asked the lad craftily; 'Andrew said I +was not to tell any one, and I'm not going to say he is here; only the +nice gorjo in dark blue clothes asked me and I told him.' + +'Ah, did you tell him?' said Hamish, speaking quietly, but trembling +between the fear of asking too much or too little; 'and when did you +see Mrs. MacAlister last?' + +A sly expression passed over the lad's face. + +'Me and Mrs. MacAlister not friends,' he said. 'Play her tricks.' +Suddenly he began to laugh. 'Played her a fine trick, though; she +never find out! Gibbie steal her letters when she and her husband had +gone out to see Neil home. Door left open, no one see Gibbie--clever +Gibbie!' + +'Wait, Gibbie,' interrupted Hamish; 'I'm going to fetch something for +you,' and he made off downhill with all speed. + +Dr. MacGregor was just driving home from a night visit to a patient +when his son dashed into the road, spattered with mud and with the +water squelching from his boots. + +'Father,' said Hamish, 'come with me; I've found out who robbed the +post-office,' and throwing the reins to his groom, the astonished +doctor was dragged all the way to the gipsy's burrow. + +'Hullo, Gibbie, you look cold,' said the doctor, taking in the +situation with great presence of mind; 'come with me and have a glass +of something hot.' + +Sitting by the fire in the nearest cottage, with a glass of steaming +toddy in his hand, Gibbie became communicative, and the doctor soon +drew from him the rest of the story. + +'Neil's a good lad,' said the gipsy. 'Neil knows how to behave to a +Romany chel; drives away bad boys when they laugh and throw stones. +Gibbie gave Neil a present; two presents; something out of the letters. +Neil will find it in his coat pocket some day. Papers worth a hundred +pound.' + +'All right, Gibbie,' said the doctor craftily; 'suppose we go and tell +Neil that you put them there. He may not have been able to find them +yet.' + +Dr. MacGregor's tired horse was withdrawn from its feed, and Hamish, +his father, and Gibbie set out for Ardnavoir. + +'Neil's cleared,' announced Hamish; and every one turned round to +encounter the strange-looking figure of the gipsy. + +Finding himself among so many people, Gibbie became suspicious and +refused to speak, but the faces of his companions rendered all +explanation unnecessary. + +'I am glad to say that your innocence is established beyond a doubt, +Neil,' said Dr. MacGregor beaming upon him; 'and I am glad to shake +hands with you.' + +'Oh, hooray, hooray,' shouted the boys. 'Neil, old boy, you're +cleared,' and they capered round him, patting him on the back and +cheering until the lad was quite bewildered. + +Laddie, after looking puzzled for a moment, burst into a joyous barking +and leaped up three times and turned round in the air; then ran to Neil +and jumped up again, trying to lick his face. An indescribable tumult +reigned, and Neil extricated himself with difficulty. + +'Excuse me,' he said; 'you are all ferry kind, but I must pe going and +telling my mother.' + +'Wait a bit, Neil,' said the doctor, laying a detaining hand upon the +lad's shoulder; 'not so suddenly, if you please; I will go with you and +prepare her,' and the two left the house together. + +'But Mrs. Macdonnell, Mummie,' said Tricksy, with a quivering lip, 'do +you--do you think she'll die?' + +'Not she,' said the laird, coming forward; 'happiness has never killed +any one yet, and a little of that is what Mrs. Macdonnell was wanting. +But where is the hero of the day; the one who found out what no one +else has been able to discover! We have not congratulated him yet.' + +'We do, we do,' they all cried; and they laid forcible hands upon +Hamish, who had retired into the background with a very red face, +carried him out of doors and chaired him triumphantly round the +courtyard. + +'But _Hamish_,' said Harry later in the day, his eyes bright with +astonishment; 'to think that after all it was Hamish who did it!' + +'Why not?' inquired Allan gruffly. + +'Why, he's such a quiet fellow, one never thinks of his doing anything. +If it had been you or me now, or Reggie, or even Marjorie (although +Marjorie's far too conceited for a girl); but Hamish!' + +Marjorie had caught some of the last words, and she turned upon the boy +like lightning. + +'Ever heard the fable of the Hare and the Tortoise?' she queried. 'If +not you'll find it in the Third Reading Book. Perhaps you're not as +far as that yet though.' + +Still Harry found the matter hard to understand, and during several +days, he was frequently to be observed sitting on dykes and +contemplating Hamish, who shared the honours of the time with Neil. + +'Only a few days now,' observed Tricksy regretfully, 'and there will be +an end of all the fun. Every one's going to school except me, and +there will be no boating or fishing or playing at pirates any more.' + +'What about next year, Tricksy?' said Marjorie. + +'Next year! Why, you'll be grown-up by then. Your mother said you +must be sent to school to learn to be less of a tomboy.' + +'I won't be less of a tomboy,' declared Marjorie. 'I'm going to fish, +and climb rocks and ride ponies bare-backed, and do all those kinds of +things until I'm ever so old. We'll have better fun than ever, now we +have Neil back again. I vote we make a Compact----' + +'We've made one already,' interposed Tricksy. + +'Well, a new one then. We'll call it a League;--the Adventure +League--and we'll promise to come back every year. Harry and Gerald +too, and we'll have the Pirates' Den for our house; and we'll never +bother about being grown-up until we're too old to get any fun out of +being tomboys any more.' + +'Agreed,' said the others. 'Neil, you shall be Captain of our League.' + + + + + + + PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN AT + THE PRESS OF THE PUBLISHERS. + + + + + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventure League, by Hilda T. 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