her-worn fane
had no attractions for him. It was apparently only a rendezvous, as
far as he was concerned, for at frequent intervals he would walk
stealthily through the archway, and look attentively down the hill
leading to the coves on the side facing the mainland.

It had now begun to rain--big drops that were the precursors of a heavy
shower. The lads, in their exposed position on the tower, paid scant
heed. Their interest and attention were centred upon the anxiously
awaiting stranger fifty feet beneath them.

Presently Ross happened to glance towards the stretch of water that
separated St. Mena's Island from the mainland. A boat was approaching.
Already it was more than half-way across. It was a rowing-boat,
containing only one person. What object would anyone have in rowing
across on a wet afternoon like this? wondered the lad.

Just then the stranger began rubbing his hands with ill-concealed
satisfaction. Although he had been frequently on the look-out, he had
evidently only just caught sight of the approaching boat.

The lads watched the little craft till it was hidden by the intervening
high ground, but already Ross felt certain that it was making for Main
Beach Cove.

There were three landing-places on St. Mena's Island--Half Tide Cove,
where the lads had left their stranded boat; Main Beach Cove, a little
to the north-east; and Deadman's Cove, farther away. Of these, only
Main Beach was available between one hour on either side of low water.
The fact that the boat was making for it, and had already successfully
skirted the submerged reef lying off it, proved that its occupant had
local knowledge.

Some considerable time elapsed between the temporary disappearance of
the boat and the appearance of the new-comer; but at length he came
into view, walking rapidly up the steep incline without showing
anything of the physical strain that the first stranger had betrayed.

Suddenly Ross Trefusis recognized the man. He almost felt inclined to
laugh at his suspicions. It was Dr. Ramblethorne, the medical
practitioner at St. Bedal--a town of considerable importance about
seven miles from Killigwent Hall. The doctor was a frequent guest of
Admiral Trefusis, and was generally considered a good, all-round
sportsman. He was about thirty years of age, over six feet in height,
of sinewy frame and of great muscular power. He was the wildest
motorist in that part of Cornwall, as the endorsements on his dr