and was in the act of
binding me in a similar manner when Lieutenant Fox came forward
from the after deck.

"Hold hard, Gillions!" he said. "This youngster needn't be treated
like the others, I think. Leave him to me;" and addressing me he
asked, "What is your name, my lad?"

"Halcro Ericson, sir," I replied.

"Well, Ericson, tell me, how came you to be mixed up in this
affair? I thought I saw you on board that coasting schooner, the
Falcon, the other night. Have you turned smuggler since then?"

"No, sir; I was in the cave for something else. I was down seeking
for Thora."

"For Thora? What's that--some sort of birds?"

"Birds! No; for the lass that was lost in the snow yestreen."

"Queer place to look for a lass, that, I must say! But how did you
get there if you did not go round with Kinlay?"

"I climbed down the cliff, sir."

"Come, come, none of your nonsense!" said the officer. "Don't tell
me you climbed down that cliff. I know it's impossible."

"It's not impossible," I rejoined, "for I have climbed it many a
time before."

"Well, it's to be hoped the girl was worth risking your neck for.
However, as you did not find her after all, you deserve to get off,
to look for her in a more likely place."

Then turning to the seaman he said:

"Off with the irons, Gillions, and put the youngster ashore when
the anchor's down."

"Ay, ay, sir!" said Gillions.

Accordingly I was set free; and seeing my rope lying on the deck I
coiled it up ready to take ashore with me, taking it aft to the
gangway.

We were by this time abreast of the Ness and entering Stromness
Bay. Notwithstanding the continued falling of snow, several boats
put out from the jetties of the harbour when the Clasper was seen
sailing in with her prize; and as the chains, rattled over her bow
and she came to an anchorage close inshore, she was surrounded by
inquiring fisher folk.

In one of the first boats that came alongside sat Bailie Duke
wrapped in a great gray plaid. He hailed one of the petty officers
of the cutter, and Mr. Fox came forward and asked him aboard.

"What's all this about?" said Mr. Duke, addressing the lieutenant
as he stepped on the deck. "I see ye've made a prisoner of our
pilot."

"I've made prisoner of a smuggler, sir, pilot or not pilot," said
Mr. Fox.

"But on whose authority have you taken the St. Magnus? Do you not
know that she is our pilot boat?" asked the bailie.

"On the highest authority, Mr. Duke-