know who those people are at all. I never saw them
before. Miss Benson is doing the lichens, and Mr. Farringdon the moths.
They're the only other members of our party here at present, and I'm the
only one out on the bay."

Frank was conscious of a sense of relief. It would have been a
disappointment to him if the German spies had turned out to be harmless
botanists or entomologists.

Jimmy Kinsella was sitting in front of his boat gazing placidly at the
sea when Priscilla tapped him on the shoulder.

"What are you doing here, Jimmy?" she said.

"Is that yourself, Miss?" said Jimmy, eyeing her quietly.

"It is. And the only other person present is you. Now we've got that
settled."

Jimmy Kinsella grinned.

"I thought it was the _Tortoise_ when I saw her; but I said to myself
'There's strangers on board of her, for Miss Priscilla would know better
than to run her aground on the bank when the tide would be leaving
her.'"

"You haven't told me yet," said Priscilla, "what you're doing here."

"I'm out along with the lady beyond."

"I could see that much for myself. What's she doing?"

"Without she'd be trying the salt water for the good of her health, I
don't know what she's doing."

"I thought at first that it might be that," said Priscilla. "Has she any
sponges with her?"

"Not that I seen, Miss. But sure none of them would take a sponge with
them into the sea. They get plenty of it without that."

"I just thought she hadn't."

"If I was to be put on my oath," said Jimmy slowly, "and was to be asked
what I thought of her----"

"That's just what I am asking you."

"I'd say she was a high up lady; may be one of them ones that does be
waiting on the Queen, or the wife of the Lord Lieutenant or such."

"What makes you say that?"

"The skin of her."

Jimmy's eyes which had been fixed on the remote horizon focussed
themselves slowly for nearer objects. His glance settled finally on
Priscilla's bare feet.

"Ah!" she said, "when she took off her shoes and stockings?"

"Saving your presence, Miss, the legs of her doesn't look as if she was
accustomed to going about that way."

"And that's all you know about her?"

"Herself and a gentleman that was along with her settled with my da
yesterday for the use of the boat, the way I'd row her anywhere she'd a
fancy to go."

"That was the gentleman who has Flanagan's old boat, I suppose?"

"It was not then, but a different gentleman altogether."

"Then y