for any earthly consideration. And
yet--it seemed the right thing to do."

CHAPTER XVIII.

"OH, NEED SORE AND MIGHTY."

Shortly before Yaspard and Signy left Collaster on that unfortunate
expedition, the young Laird of Lunda was called from the Ha' to
interview some shipwrecked men who had been found by a haaf-boat on one
of the sound skerries.

Arab soon carried Fred to the extreme point of his island, where the
men were hospitably lodged by some fisher folk. Great was his wrath
and astonishment on being told the story of their misadventure, which
seemed incredible from one point, and yet was the only explanation
admissible, considering that when the accident took place the weather
was not rough, and the vessel still under management, if the skipper
was telling truth.

Fred put the men through a searching course of cross-questioning, but
could not discover any flaw in their statement regarding the large fire
lit on the hill; and he was obliged to admit that there must have been
a signal there as described.

After seeing that the men had every comfort, he went off to consult the
minister and Doctor Holtum as to what must be done. The sailors were
wrathful (as was not wonderful) and vowing vengeance. The fisher folk
were puzzled, and affirmed that there must have been some supernatural
agency at work. Fred felt sure the matter would have to be sifted, and
that upon himself and Doctor Holtum (the only magistrate in Lunda since
Mr. Garson's death) would devolve the duty of instituting inquiries in
Boden.

"It will be a very awkward job," Fred said, when retailing what had
taken place to Dr. Holtum. "It will certainly put an end to all chance
of peace with Mr. Adiesen, for he is sure to resent such a charge and
such a suspicion with the utmost bitterness."

"There is no one living on Boden but what one might call his own
household, for the Harrisons are just like home servants; therefore--as
you say--he will resent this as a personal matter."

"There is that strange man Neeven," said Fred thoughtfully. "I have
heard very curious tales of him. He does not seem to be quite sane, if
one may credit all that is reported of his ways. It is possible that
_he_ may have lit that fire for some eccentric purpose quite different
from that which those men imagine."

"You have not unlikely hit upon the truth, Fred," said the Doctor; "but
that makes our task no easier."

"If that Viking-boy had not been here