said Tricksy; 'let's write it at once.'

'No pens or paper here,' said Marjorie; 'we'll write it down when we
get into the house. Euan, you must join the compact too; we'll send
you a copy for yourself. Each of us shall have his or her own copy to
carry about wherever we go; and each copy shall be signed by every
member of the compact. We'll form ourselves into a Society to prove
that Neil is innocent.'

'So we shall,' said Allan; 'good idea that of yours, Marjorie.'

'That's all right,' said the youngest member of the Society; 'now, when
are we going to begin?'

'You must give us time, Tricksy,' said Allan; 'it won't be so very
easy;' but all the faces wore a more cheerful expression.

'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.'

CHAPTER V

SUSPENSE

All crowded into the hall, where Mr. Stewart was standing with an open
telegram in his hand.

The laird was looking very grave.

'Most unfortunate,' he said. 'Neil has done a very foolish thing. He
has broken out of the County Gaol and disappeared. I regret extremely
that it should have happened. It will prejudice many people against
him.'

Mrs. Stewart was looking extremely concerned; and the young people
crowded together in speechless dismay.

'Puir Neil,' said Duncan in the background, 'he said he would not go to
Edinburgh to pring disgrace on his family whateffer.'

'He would have done far better to have gone up for his trial,' said Mr.
Stewart.--'Good morning, Dr. MacGregor'--for the doctor had come in to
hear the news, having been summoned from a visit in the
neighbourhood--'unfortunate affair this; it's a pity Neil couldn't have
been more patient.'

The doctor read the telegram and looked extremely disappointed.

'Foolish fellow!' he exclaimed. 'If the lad was innocent he should
have stayed to see the thing out; he has only made things a dozen times
worse for himself by doing this.'

'But, Father,' said Marjorie, 'Neil couldn't have taken the letters;
they are sure to find out that he is innocent.'

The doctor was looking angry.

'He has made it far more difficult for his friends to see him through,'