ir Archie. "Gad, here have I been vegetatin' and
thinkin' that all excitement had gone out of life with the war, and
sometimes even regrettin' that the beastly old thing was over, and all
the while the world fairly hummin' with interest. And Loudon too!"

"I would like your candid opinion on yon factor, Sir Archibald," said
Dickson.

"I can't say I ever liked him, and I've once or twice had a row with
him, for used to bring his pals to shoot over Dalquharter and he didn't
quite play the game by me. But I know dashed little about him, for
I've been a lot away. Bit hairy about the heels, of course. A great
figure at local race-meetin's, and used to toady old Carforth and the
huntin' crowd. He has a pretty big reputation as a sharp lawyer and
some of the thick-headed lairds swear by him, but Quentin never could
stick him. It's quite likely he's been gettin' into Queer Street, for
he was always speculatin' in horseflesh, and I fancy he plunged a bit
on the Turf. But I can't think how he got mixed up in this show."

"I'm positive Dobson's his brother."

"And put this business in his way. That would explain it all right....
He must be runnin' for pretty big stakes, for that kind of lad don't
dabble in crime for six-and-eightpence.... Now for the layout. You've
got three men shut up in Dalquharter House, who by this time have
probably escaped. One of you--what's his name?--Heritage?--is in the
old Tower, and you think that they think the Princess is still there
and will sit round the place like terriers. Sometime to-day the Danish
brig wall arrive with reinforcements, and then there will be a hefty
fight. Well, the first thing to be done it to get rid of Loudon's
stymie with the authorities. Princess, I'm going to carry you off in
my car to the Chief Constable. The second thing is for you after that
to stay on here. It's a deadly place on a wet day, but it's safe
enough."

Saskia shook her head and Dickson spoke for her.

"You'll no' get her to stop here. I've done my best, but she's
determined to be back at Dalquharter. You see she's expecting a
friend, and besides, if here's going to be a battle she'd like to be in
it. Is that so, Mem?"

Sir Archie looked helplessly around him, and the sight of the girl's
face convinced him that argument would be fruitless. "Anyhow she must
come with me to the Chief Constable. Lethington's a slow bird on the
wing, and I don't see myself convincin' him that he must