Part 11 (1/2)

'He has h,'

he declared 'Foolish, foolish lad; I have no patience with hi with a disappointed expression of countenance

Mrs Stewart looked kindly at the dis people

'I am sure,' she said, 'that Neil did not realise what he was doing,'

and here she looked at her husband; 'he was hurt and disappointed at finding that some of the people were able to believe that he could have done such a thing, and that reat pity, but those who have known Neil all his life would never believe him capable of dishonesty'

'Of course not,' said the laird kindly, 'and I only regret that Neil did not wait to see the thing out, as I am convinced that some evidence would have turned up which would have {74} enabled us to prove his innocence As it is, he rerief to hisvery ed, and wandered down to the seashore, Laddie folloith drooping ears and tail

Mechanically they seated themselves upon the beach to discuss the position of affairs, but no one seeest

'Well,' said Marjorie at last, digging holes in the sand with a sharp-pointed shell; 'what are we to do now?'

Allan pushed his cap on to the back of his head, and Reggie looked thoughtful; but they did not reply

It was a beautiful , and the distant hills showed the first flush of heather where the light fell upon the like silver, and beyond the ripples the island of the Den stood out invitingly clear

Tricksy, who had been gazing wistfully across the water, suddenly melted into tears

'All our fun spoilt,' she said, with the big drops rolling down her face; 'what a horrid, horrid su to have, and poor Neil----

'Buck up, Tricksy,' said Allan; 'the bottom hasn't tumbled out of the Universe yet'

Laddie, who had been looking with a concerned expression at his young friends, rose up and thrust his nose under Tricksy's hand, wagging his tail in an encouragingthe dog's rough coat; 'he is telling us that we ive in'

Laddie pricked up his ears, and went fro to rouse theood Laddie,' said Marjorie, caressing hi a lump in her throat

'Laddie, dear, don't lickpet became more demonstrative

When Laddie had been induced to sit dohich he did with the expression of a dog convinced that his endeavours had been croith success, Allan resumed: 'Well, we ot to stick to it and help Neil soh it looks pretty difficult at present'

A roup

'Yes,' said Tricksy, sitting with knitted brows; 'but we don't see'

The others were silent

'What would you have us do, Tricksy?' inquired Allan

'Do? I'd do soain