Part 8 (2/2)

'But, Elspeth, he did not do it! nobody could believe that old Neil would do such a thing!'

'Indeed, Master Allan, there are those that do, although Neil, poor laddie, would noupon his throne! Appearances are against him, poor lad; and it's for appearances that they've arrested him'

'What appearances, Elspeth? Tell us about it?'

'Well, Miss Marjorie, it's just this; one of the h Post Office; and it was Neil who had sent it away in a letter It's from that they make out that it was Neil who stole it'

'Neil couldn't have done such a thing,' broke in Reggie, with signs of a storm in his voice

'Does Mother know? and Father?' asked Tricksy breathlessly

'Indeed, Miss Tricksy, the laird's away at the trial, and Mrs Stewart too, to be with Mrs Macdonnell, poor soul; and Dr and Mrs MacGregor went away this afternoon The whole island's away, except just those whose work obliges therace to a respectable faht then, if father's there,' said Reggie confidently

'He knows Neil far too well to believe such a thing of him, no matter what may have happened'

'The laird can't help hiie It's an awful thing that the money order should have come out of the poor lad's letter; and it looks very bad'

'But Neil couldn't have taken it,' protested Reggie; 'no matter where the order came from, it wasn't Neil who stole it'

'Well, anyhow,' said Tricksy, 'I'll never speak to the Sheriff again, no matter what he does, if he lets Neil be put in prison'

'The Sheriff only has to do his duty, Miss Tricksy; and if things go against poor Neil he can't help him'

'Well, we'll stand up for him, no matter who doesn't,' declared Allan; 'and we'll write and tell him so'

'Of course we shall,' joined in the others

'It's very kind of you, I' her eyes; 'we entlemen, you must have your tea and not think tooI must just make you a few scones!'

Little appetite was left to the young folks for the meal; and the half-hearted clatter of knives and plates soon died away

'We'll stand up for old Neil, no matter what happens,' was the upshot of their deliberations; and Elspeth, co in and out, dried her tears furtively with the corner of her apron

Later in the evening a dog-cart drove up; and Dr and Mrs MacGregor alighted

Marjorie ran down into the hall, while the others all clustered about the banisters and looked down

'Mother,' said Marjorie, with a set face, 'we know about Neil; tell us how things have gone for hiainst hiroan burst frohtly

'What will be done to him?' inquired Tricksy piteously