ebells. Water
the colour of drowned wallflowers. I don't believe your Highland
lochs can be prettier or more idyllic, though this is so close to
Glasgow.

"We have had a day going through the Kyles of Bute, too--the same
party: and a marvellous run along the shores of the Clyde to
Skelmorlie. Such red rocks there, and even the sand red. There was
a pink haze over everything, like a perpetual sunset. I'm not sure
which was better, that, or a trip to Crinan. The dearest little
place at the end of the Crinan canal--just a flower-draped hotel,
and a sea-wall and a lighthouse, with a distant murmur of
'Corrievrechan's tortured roar,' mingled with the crying of gulls.
What a place for you and Barrie to spend your honeymoon! You see, I
speak as if it were certain. Anyhow, I'm sure it all depends on
yourself. _Courage, mon brave_!"

But that is exactly the quality which the villain of the piece lacks at
present.

BOOK IV

WHAT BECAME OF BARRIE

I

Letter From Barrie Macdonald To Ian Somerled Macdonald

DEAR SIR KNIGHT: I was glad the morning we saw Mrs. James off that
you said you'd like to hear from me, and if I needed help or
comfort in any trouble I must let you know. I haven't such an
excuse for writing to you now, but you did say that you wanted to
hear anyway, and that you'd find out where we were going, so you
could wire me your plans. Now I've had two telegrams from you, and
a letter; and if they hadn't come I should have been disappointed.
I thought we might have seen you and the Gray Dragon before this,
but the telegrams have made me understand. That is, I _don't_
understand, because what you tell me sounds very mysterious. Still,
as you went back to Carlisle and are now in London, it is no use
hoping to see the Gray Dragon's bonnet flash into sight round some
complicated Highland corner.

What _could_ have taken you to call on Grandma again? I am almost
dying of curiosity. You say 'perhaps you may be able to explain
when we meet': but everybody is saying that to me, just now--at
least, Barbara is, about not letting me go back to Glasgow till the
end of her week there--so it is rather aggravating. Still, it is
good to know that we may meet. I wonder when? You don't give me a
hint, and it stirs up my curiosity from deeper depths