t, 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