he declared. 'Foolish, foolish lad; I have no patience with him;' and
the doctor strode out of the hall and away to his gig with a
disappointed expression of countenance.

Mrs. Stewart looked kindly at the dismayed faces of the young 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 made him think that he might not get
justice. It is a great 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 remains under a cloud, and it will be a great
grief to his mother.'

The young people went out, feeling very much discouraged, and wandered
down to the seashore, Laddie following with drooping ears and tail.
Mechanically they seated themselves upon the beach to discuss the
position of affairs, but no one seemed to have anything to suggest.

'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 morning, and the distant hills showed the first
flush of heather where the light fell upon them. Right in front the
waves were glancing 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 summer we are going 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 encouraging manner.

'Good old dog, good Laddie,' said Allan, patting the dog's rough coat;
'he is telling us that we must not give in.'

Laddie pricked up his ears, and went from one to another of the group,
endeavouring to rouse them from their despondency.

'Poor Laddie, good Laddie,' said Marjo