rie, 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,