unded by the advancing tide."

"Tide is going down," said Stratton quietly. "See anybody pass?" he
continued as he debated whether he should take Brettison into his
confidence, while all the time he kept a sharp look about him.

"No, not a soul. The most solitary place a man could select for a
stay."

"Is there a way up into the village beyond the cottage here?" said
Stratton quietly.

"Yes, but it is only a sort of flight of steps used by the people here.
It would be farther round, too. Better keep to the beach."

As he spoke Brettison walked by his side, and tried to edge him away
from the light, speaking in quite a whisper the while, as if afraid that
their voices might reach the occupant of the cottage.

And meanwhile Stratton was still debating within himself as to whether
he should tell his companion of the startling adventure he had had. But
feeling more and more that the idea was only coloured by his
imagination, and knowing in his heart that the old man would smile and
point out the impossibility of such an encounter, he determined to be
silent till the morning--if he could not learn anything about any
visitors who might be staying there.

Twice over as they walked he was on the point of speaking, but checked
himself, and then the opportunity was gone, for Brettison held out his
hand.

"Good-night, my boy," he said; "you are tired. There, go to the inn and
have a good night's rest."

"One moment, Brettison," said Stratton, arresting him. "You do not
think it possible that--"

He stopped short: he could not say it. The idea was absurd.

"Well, think what possible?" said Brettison, smiling.

"That he is likely to turn dangerous?"

"I have no fear of him whatever," said the old man. "There, don't
fidget; good-night."

Stratton went on to the inn, wishing that he had spoken to Brettison,
after all; and he had hardly taken his seat before he sprang up again to
go back to him. Before starting he summoned the landlady to question
her about visitors to the place, but only to find in a few minutes that
her knowledge was confined to those who came to her hotel. There were
people who let their houses and took in lodgers, she knew--yes, but she
had no patience with people who played at keeping an hotel.

Stratton went out once more into the night with the intention of going
straight to Brettison, telling him his suspicions, and asking his
advice; but he shrank from the task; and on the impulse