cle has not gone to bed; there is a lamp
burning in the parlour still."

"That is very satisfactory," quoth Fred; "but they can't have heard any
rumour about you, else there would be more folks awake than the
scientist, and other lamps besides that of the study."

"Uncle Brues will be grubbing among his specimens," said Yaspard
concisely.

When they reached land they heard Pirate begin to bark and whine,
evidently aware of their vicinity, and eager to get out and give them
welcome; and as they drew near the house the door opened and Mr.
Adiesen appeared, in a fantastic dressing-gown and Fair Isle cap,
saying to the dog, "What's the matter, Pirate?"

The "matter" became plain to his vision next moment in the form of
Signy, who flew into his arms crying, "Oh, uncle, dear, dear uncle! I
am so thankful to be here again. I was lost, and nearly died; and poor
Yaspard was left on Yelholme."

"Bless the child!" he gasped; "what on earth is she saying? Yaspard!
do you know it is midnight? What is-- Why, Mr. Garson! what--what!"

For once in his life Mr. Adiesen was thrown off his balance. Signy,
springing up to bind her arms round his neck, caused him to stagger
backwards into the hands of Fred and Yaspard, while their appearance
and the girl's words upset his mind as much as his body. The joyful
bounds and barks of Pirate added to the old gentleman's confusion, and
when set on his feet again he could only turn and walk back to his
parlour in blank amazement.

The others followed, of course, and stood waiting for him to speak,
which he did shortly after resuming the arm-chair, which he had vacated
at Pirate's request. "Explain yourself, sir!" he said severely,
addressing Fred. So there was nothing for it but for Fred to begin and
tell the story as best he might; but he had not proceeded far when
Signy crept to her uncle's knee. _Then_ he noticed her face was white
and drawn, and her eyes still full of a great fear.

"Stop a moment, sir," said Mr. Adiesen; "my child is ill. Signy, who
has frightened you?"

"No one, uncle; only I was alone in the boat and on Havnholme, and I
was so afraid," and then she began to cry bitterly. He drew her close
and looked frowning at Yaspard; "You had charge of your sister!" he
said very sternly.

"The lad is not to blame, Mr. Adiesen," Fred exclaimed. "He was doing
a good action, and he has suffered much also. Don't be hard on
Yaspard."

"Mr. Garson saved me, uncle dea