r," sobbed Signy. "He found me on
Havnholme; he is so good."

"Havnholme!" the old man muttered, and something like an electric shock
went through him at that word.

The change in his expression was not lost on Fred. In a very few words
he explained all; and when the narrative was ended he added, "We know
that God had the dear child in His keeping all the time; and I am fain
to believe that He who holds the seas in the hollow of His hand guided
the boat to Havnholme--_to Havnholme_--for some wise purpose, Mr.
Adiesen."

The old man's face dropped to the curly head lying on his breast, but
he only said, "The child must get to rest, and Mam Kirsty. Ring that
bell, Yaspard, and then go and tell your aunt. Sit down, Mr. Garson,
sit down, till I've had time to think."

Fred did as he was bid, and so of course did Yaspard; and a pretty
scene he created in Miss Osla's room when he burst in there and told
her all!

The ringing of the bell had roused the maids and Mam Kirsty, who
presented herself in the parlour with head discreetly and carefully
covered in a huge cap and hap-shawl, but her feet and legs only
protected by a short petticoat and pair of wooden clogs.

Her appearance and incoherent ejaculations were quite too much for the
gentlemen, although their mood had been grave enough the moment before.
They both laughed; and even Signy's tears were checked as she cried
out, "Oh, dear Mam Kirsty, you do look so awfully funny."

"Take the child to her aunt's room," said Mr. Adiesen, "and see that
she sleeps there to-night. She must not be alone. And some of you
girls there prepare a room for Mr. Garson, and bring in some supper.
Be sharp now."

He kissed Signy fondly, and had no objections to offer to Fred's doing
likewise, but when she disappeared with her nurse he muttered, "I ought
not to have trusted her out of this isle."

CHAPTER XX.

"FROM THE HANDS OF MY KINSFOLK."

"What on earth has become of that duffer?" said Tom Holtum, when the
_Laulie_ arrived at the geo and no Yaspard appeared either on land or
sea.

"We are a little before our time," Harry remarked; "but I don't see his
boat anywhere along the voe--that is, as far as one can see in the Dim
and along such a twisting twirligig of a voe as this."

"I vote we land and have a nap," said Bill; but no one seconded him, as
they expected the Viking and his followers to appear at any moment.

These did not put in an appearance, however; an