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'They are going in the direction of Ardnavoir, said Marjorie; 'I believe they are going to call for your father and mother! 'Oh, sighed Tricksy after the breathless pause during which they were uncertain whether the officers were really going to enter the gate or would pass by; 'they've gone in. I saw that nice one who came here last year.
'He would think nothing of putting the police on the alert if he had a mind to. We can only hope that he hasn't recognised Neil, or that Rob will find a way of getting the poor lad out of the island before any harm comes. When the young people had reached Ardnavoir, weary and discouraged, Mr. Stewart was in the hall. 'I know who was with you this morning, he said abruptly.
'Don't know, said Allan briefly, looking out to sea with his hands in his pockets and a thoughtful face. His lack of enthusiasm caused all the others to look at him, and Marjorie felt her fears revive. The man-of-war came to a standstill in Ardnavoir Bay and a boat put off from her side. 'Look, oh look, cried Tricksy, 'they're coming on shore.
Even the dogs seemed to know that something was the matter, for they would lie quietly beside the children for hours, and sometimes Laddie would thrust his nose into some one's hand and look up with his honest, affectionate eyes full of sympathy. The weather became more broken, and sometimes all intercourse between Ardnavoir and Corranmore was cut off during the greater part of a day.
They hearkened for a moment, and it was unmistakably the old ram's horn which was sounded at Ardnavoir to summon those at a distance when any notable event was about to take place. 'I wonder what it can be, said Tricksy, as they scampered in the direction of the mansion-house; 'do you think it can have anything to do with the Heroic, Allan? Mrs. Stewart was in the doorway.
The others assented by their silence. 'And I don't believe we ever shall, continued Marjorie, 'we don't seem to have set about it the right way, somehow. The boys looked so downcast that Marjorie judged it inadvisable to pursue the subject further and they mounted their ponies and rode slowly in the direction of Ardnavoir.
On the following morning Allan was hardly surprised to encounter Marjorie upon the little hill which commanded a view of the sea near Ardnavoir. Her pony was beside her, and she had evidently risen with the dawn and ridden over the moors. 'Any news? she inquired anxiously. 'Nothing at all, he replied. 'The Heroic is quite quiet yet, as you see.
'There's a telegraph boy, said Marjorie suddenly, 'do you see him? just going in at the gates of Ardnavoir. Perhaps it's some news of Neil. 'Run, Reggie, said Allan, 'you are the best runner; and see whether it's anything of that kind. Reggie started off, and after an interval he came speeding back again. It's something to do with Neil, he said; 'come quickly.
MacGregor's tired horse was withdrawn from its feed, and Hamish, his father, and Gibbie set out for Ardnavoir. 'Neil's cleared, announced Hamish; and every one turned round to encounter the strange-looking figure of the gipsy. Finding himself among so many people, Gibbie became suspicious and refused to speak, but the faces of his companions rendered all explanation unnecessary.
'I promise, answered Marjorie; then Neil sprang on shore and vanished behind a mass of rock. For a minute or two they remained looking up at the cliff, but nothing was to be seen of Andrew MacPeters; then they rowed slowly back to the place where the Craft had been moored. 'Well? said Allan and Reggie, who met them half-way on the road to Ardnavoir.
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