usting his fists far down his pockets, as
was his wont when the solution of any difficulty penetrated the
somewhat "thick skin" which enveloped his remarkably sound and shrewd
understanding.

He stood some time staring thoughtfully at the creature, who stared
back at him as no lady of modest demeanour ought to have done; but we
must not forget that she was a captive, and looking for a deliverer,
and therefore to be excused in part.

"Poor soul!" muttered Tom, as the baby's wails once more broke the
beautiful silence of that smiling, sun-watched night-time. "It's a
horrible shame. I wish I could let them out. It would serve the old
boy right. But it's too risky a job for me to undertake by myself.
Oh, well! when I get back to Lunda--if I'm not going to be shut up as
she is--I'll get the Manse boys to help. Bet Harry Mitchell will
devise a way of circumventing both Mr. Neeven and Mr. Adiesen."

Then Tom tried the window, hoping to make his exit by it, but found it
was nailed down beyond his power to unfasten.

"Never heard of such a thing in Shetland before," growled Tom. "What's
he afraid of here? One would think Boden was the abode of thieves or
pirates at this rate. Anyway, there are plenty of books about."

He found an interesting book about the buccaneers of the Spanish Main,
so, lying down on the sofa, he was soon lost in the volume, and forgot
that he was in durance vile.

[1] Planticrue,--a _circular_ enclosure.

CHAPTER XIV.

"OH, BE THOU WELCOME HERE."

When Mr. Neeven returned to his house the Laird of Boden was with him,
and Tom was desired to hand over Dr. Holtum's letter, which he did with
alacrity.

After perusing it carefully, Mr. Adiesen said, "And so you are the
Doctor's son? You are not very like your father. He was a very
handsome youth when he was your age."

Tom laughed, and there was that in his plain, honest face, which
pleased both the gentlemen perhaps more than fine features would have
done.

"I try to be like father in other ways," said he; "but my brother Svein
is as like him as can be. You would like Svein. He is very clever as
well as good-looking. People who can judge say so!"

That hearty brotherly speech added still more to the good impression
Tom had made, and the two men studied him silently for a minute or two,
"as they might some curious starfish," Tom remarked later, when
recounting all that took place.

"You are to come with me now," said Mr