anse boys. When he got to the skeoe the creature was there, having
hastened back to her little one, and they were easily captured. Uncle
told Harrison that he must not let even his boys know that the seals
had been taken alive."

Signy could keep silence no longer, but clapped her hands delightedly
and cried, "It's as good as a fairy story, brodhor. Oh, I am glad, for
of course they are still alive; uncle would never kill them then."

"Yes, they are alive, and they are in the haunted room at
Trullyabister. They were smuggled there so that even I should not
know; but Tammy can't keep a secret, and he told me one day that Mr.
Neeven had charge of the seal and her baby. I did not dream they were
in the haunted room; but when the Harrison boys and I were on the prowl
the other night I found it out; and then I determined I would restore
the sealkie to Fred Garson. I told the Harrisons there were a mother
and child imprisoned at Trullyabister, and that we must free them from
thraldom."

"And Tom Holtum has found it out too; and that is your quest? How
fine!"

"It is prime, Signy, prime! We are not going to tell the Garsons a
word about it till we restore their lost pet, for we are all convinced
it is their seal."

"But won't uncle be dreadfully angry if you interfere? Won't he stop
all your Vikinging and our meeting----"

"If," Yaspard interrupted, "I were fool enough to show my hand in the
matter. No, no, Mootie, you don't understand a bit. We shall manage
it so cleverly that uncle and Mr. Neeven will take for granted the
sealkie escaped of herself. You see, Uncle Brues makes laws for himself
that are not proper, so he can't grumble if they don't work to his
satisfaction at all times."

"I wish, though, that we could just beg for the seal, and settle it
nicely," said Signy.

"Not a bit of good; that would make more fuss still, and unsettle
everything, and--I'd lose my fun."

The _Osprey_ was not far from Yelholme by that time, and Yaspard,
pointing to the little isle, said, "It was that old rock with the green
nightcap that caused my capture."

"It's a pretty peerie holme," Signy remarked. "I like the little
morsel of green turf on top. I wonder how it ever manages to grow
there, for the skerry must be swept by the sea more often than not."

"There's something white on it," Yaspard exclaimed, "something white
and moving. Why, goodness me!" and he stood up in great excitement,
"it is awfully like