urable 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 st