n recovering himself at once, he added hastily, "but I
don't mean to fuss. If you please, by-and-by I'll have a quiet talk
with you, sir, about a very important matter. Now, boys, you want to
know why I didn't keep my tryst with you. It is a long story, and a
very dreadful and a very strange one."

He then recounted all that had occurred since the _Laulie_ and _Osprey_
parted company, and Mr. Neeven, as well as the lads of Lunda, was
deeply moved by the story. Yaspard alluded as little as possible to
the light which had caused the wreck, and he did not mention at all
that he had seen one similar himself.

Many were the exclamations of astonishment and sympathy with which his
story was heard, but when it was finished our young adventurers found
their usual mode of expressing much feeling.

"Three cheers for the little lady, and three times three for Fred
Garson!" Tom called out.

Up went their caps in the air, and out rang their wild hurrahs, louder
and heartier at each renewal, to the consternation of fule-Tammy, who
was waked from slumber by the uproar, and came out rubbing his eyes,
with all his hair on end, and wailing, "The trows! the trows! they've
come tae pu' doon a' the house at last."

He was a comical sight, and laughter took the place of cheering. The
boys caught each other's hands and formed a circle round Tammy,
dancing, laughing, shouting, like the wildest of wild savages, until he
recognised some of them, and added to their mirth by squatting in the
midst of them, and saying, "Weel, noo! and I thought it wis the trows!
My lambs, ye can carry on like yon till ye're weary. It's no puir
Tammy 'at sall stop your madram. But, for a' that, ye're a set o'
filskit moniments." [2]

"Get up, Tammy. Boys, come into the house with me," said Mr. Neeven,
when the tumult subsided and he could make himself heard.

They followed him to his study, and they were not ungrateful for some
scones and milk which he caused Tammy to set before them; but his grim
expression did not relax, and they did not find their confidence rise
very much.

After a little time Yaspard said, "Will you please let me have some
private talk with you? I really _must_, before uncle begins to
question me to-day, or any one comes from Lunda, as I expect they will."

He was taken to another room, but we will not intrude upon that
interview. Mr. Neeven's face wore a heavy frown when they returned,
but he only said, "You will all go no