one, but the next,
having secured Kirsty's cat, I turned him into the room after she was
in bed: the result was a frightful explosion of feline wrath.

I now thought I might boast of my successes to Turkey, but he was not
pleased.

"She is sure to find you out, Ranald," he said, "and then whatever
else we do will be a failure. Leave her alone till we have her quite."

I do not care to linger over this part of my story. I am a little
ashamed of it.

We found at length that her private reservoir was quite full of meal.
I kept close watch still, and finding one night that she was not in
the house, discovered also that the meal-tub was now empty. I ran to
Turkey, and together we hurried to Betty's cottage.

It was a cloudy night with glimpses of moonlight. When we reached the
place, we heard voices talking, and were satisfied that both the
Kelpie and Wandering Willie were there.

"We must wait till she comes out," said Turkey. "We must be able to
say we saw her."

There was a great stone standing out of the ground not far from the
door, just opposite the elder-tree, and the path lay between them.

"You get behind that tree--no, you are the smaller object--you get
behind that stone, and I'll get behind the tree," said Turkey; "and
when the Kelpie comes out, you make a noise like a beast, and rush at
her on all-fours."

"I'm good at a pig, Turkey," I said. "Will a pig do?"

"Yes, well enough."

"But what if she should know me, and catch me, Turkey?"

"She will start away from you to my side; I shall rush out like a mad
dog, and then she'll run for it."

We waited a long time--a very long time, it seemed to me. It was well
it was summer. We talked a little across, and that helped to beguile
the weary time; but at last I said in a whisper:

"Let's go home, Turkey, and lock the doors, and keep her out."

"You go home then, Ranald, and I'll wait. I don't mind if it be till
to-morrow morning. It is not enough to be sure ourselves; we must be
able to make other people sure."

"I'll wait as long as you do, Turkey; only I'm very sleepy, and she
might come out when I was asleep."

"Oh, I shall keep you awake!" replied Turkey; and we settled down
again for a while.

At the long last the latch of the door was lifted. I was just falling
asleep, but the sound brought me wide awake at once. I peeped from
behind my shelter. It was the Kelpie, with an empty bag--a
pillow-case, I believe--in her hand. Behind her came W