-the Queen's," replied the
lieutenant. "If Kinlay was your pilot, then all the greater was his
offence. His men must suffer the penalty for their crime, and I
suppose the port must just appoint another pilot, that's all."

"His men must suffer, you say?" said Mr. Duke, not understanding.
"Then you do not accuse Carver Kinlay himself of smuggling?"

"I should certainly have done that, Mr. Duke; but Carver Kinlay,
unfortunately, is dead."

"Carver Kinlay dead!" exclaimed the bailie.

"Yes; he lost his life just now in the Gaulton Cave, where we
discovered him and his crew in the act of carrying off contraband
spirits.

"I suppose," the officer continued, "we can send the prisoners
ashore to your jail, sir?"

"Certainly," said Mr. Duke; "we've plenty of room there: send them
ashore. But they will be tried at Kirkwall, not here, you know."

"I know," returned the officer; "but you see the roads are blocked
with this snow. There's no getting to Kirkwall except by sea, and I
have another little affair of this sort on hand tonight."

Bailie Duke was naturally inquisitive, and at the mention of this
other "little affair" he pricked up his ears.

The lieutenant drew him to the other side of the deck, and they
both remained there in earnest conversation. Mr. Duke had his back
towards me. He had not observed me as yet. But the cutter's boat
was being got out to take me ashore, and as I was anxious to hear
from him whether Thora had been found, I walked across and waited
until he should turn round. As I stood there I heard my own name
mentioned.

"Oh, it's just as clear as daylight!" said the magistrate, in reply
to a question from Mr. Fox. "I have traced it all out. There is
little doubt that it was young Halcro Ericson that did it."

"Halcro Ericson! What! the boy Halcro Ericson?" exclaimed the
lieutenant with undisguised surprise. "Why, then, that accounts for
our finding him hiding in the cave! I would never have thought it."

"What!" said the bailie. "You don't mean you have got the lad?"

"Yes, I do, sir; that is if you have no other natives with the same
outlandish name. He's on board, I assure you. Ay, and here he is."

The officer turned round towards me where I stood with my lantern
in one hand, and the coil of rope over my shoulder.

Bailie Duke looked at me with a frown on his brow, and his eyes
were steadily fixed upon my face, which could only have reflected
the innocence of my heart.

"I cannot b