jorie, 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