was a converted drifter. The two men who came in to pick us up wore
the usual blue guernsey, with _S.Y. Fiona_ worked in an arc of red
wool across the chest. They were obviously good servants and useful
hands, but there was none of that ridiculous imitation of naval
custom and etiquette which delights the heart of the Cotton Exchange
yacht-owner. We boarded the _Fiona_ with the feeling that we were going
to have a pleasant and comfortable time, and not with the fear that
our setting of a leather-soled shoe upon the hallowed decks was in
itself an act of sacrilege. We were no sooner aboard than Fuller set
himself to play the host with a charm which was exceedingly attentive
and neither fussy nor patronising.

"The trivial but necessary question of edible stores will detain us
for a few moments," he said. "But we shall be more comfortable here
than wandering about among the herrings." So we made ourselves
comfortable in deck-chairs in the stern, while the steward went ashore
and made the all-important purchases.

"You cruise a good deal, I suppose?" was my first question.

"Yes, a fair amount," our host replied. "I pretty well live on board,
you know, although I have a small house further north, on Loch Duich,
if you know where that is."

"Mr. Ewart was born up here, and knows it backwards," Hilderman
informed him. And we chatted about the district and the fishing and
the views until the steward returned, and we got under weigh. I should
have liked to have seen the accommodation below, but the journey was a
short one, and I had no opportunity to make the suggestion. Dennis
was sitting nearest the rail, and there was a small hank of rope at
his feet.

"I beg your pardon, Mr. Burnham," said Fuller suddenly. "I didn't
notice that rope was in your way." And he learned over and tossed the
rope away. As he did so some hard object fell with a clatter from the
coil.

"It's not interfering with me in the least," laughed Dennis, and
looked down at a large, bone-handled clasp-knife which had dropped in
front of him. He picked it up idly, and weighed it in his hand.

"Useful sort of implement," he said.

"Oh, these sailor-chaps like a big knife more than anything," said
Hilderman; "and, of course, they need them strong. I daresay that has
been used for anything, from primitive carpentry to cutting tobacco.
The one knife always does for everything."

We continued our conversation while Dennis idly examined the knife,
open