, no wonder they are suspicious. Likewise every other
nation with whom they have ever come in contact--except one, my own--has
deceived or betrayed them. Anyhow, they are fine soldiers, and before
long we shall have an army that cannot be ignored. If I can get so that
they trust me, I shall ask Sir Colin to come out here. He would be a
splendid head for their army. His great military knowledge and tactical
skill would come in well. It makes me glow to think of what an army he
would turn out of this splendid material, and one especially adapted for
the style of fighting which would be necessary in this country.

If a mere amateur like myself, who has only had experience of organizing
the wildest kind of savages, has been able to advance or compact their
individual style of fighting into systematic effort, a great soldier like
MacKelpie will bring them to perfection as a fighting machine. Our
Highlanders, when they come out, will foregather with them, as
mountaineers always do with each other. Then we shall have a force which
can hold its own against any odds. I only hope that Rooke will be
returning soon. I want to see those Ingis-Malbron rifles either safely
stored in the Castle or, what is better, divided up amongst the
mountaineers--a thing which will be done at the very earliest moment that
I can accomplish it. I have a conviction that when these men have
received their arms and ammunition from me they will understand me
better, and not keep any secrets from me.

All this fortnight when I was not drilling or going about amongst the
mountaineers, and teaching them the code which I have now got perfected,
I was exploring the side of the mountain nearest to here. I could not
bear to be still. It is torture to me to be idle in my present condition
of mind regarding my Lady of the Shroud . . . Strange I do not mind
mentioning the word to myself now. I used to at first; but that
bitterness has all gone away.

RUPERT'S JOURNAL--Continued.

_May_ 19, 1907.

I was so restless early this morning that before daylight I was out
exploring on the mountain-side. By chance I came across a secret place
just as the day was breaking. Indeed, it was by the change of light as
the first sun-rays seemed to fall down the mountain-side that my
attention was called to an opening shown by a light behind it. It was,
indeed, a secret place--so secret that I tho