“’Twas even there.  But in an instant she disappeared, and I saw her no more.”

“If she be not there now,” said Duncan, heaving a great sigh out of his deep chest, “then will I return into the castle; for now do I mind me that mine eyes are wanting sleep after the weary day that I have had among the hills, running high and low as though I were but a dumb hound made only to scent out game for those who know less of hunting than I do of building a ship.  That lazy old graybeard, the lord of Jura, may bring his own gillies with him the next time he comes to the hunting in Bute.  Never again shall he get me to fetch and carry for him!”

“The lord of Jura?” said Kenric.  “It is then true that there are strangers in the castle.”

“And is it not for that same cause that you have come home?” asked Duncan.  “Methought you knew that they were here —­ three gallant kings out of the west they are, and one of them is your own uncle, Earl Roderic of Gigha, whom, when he was but a bairn as high as my girdle, I taught to bend the bow and wield the broadsword.  They are but now in the feasting hall with my lord your father; for Sir Oscar and young Allan have gone home to Kilmory, and my lady and Alpin have gone to their chambers.”

“Have you then left my father alone with these three strange men?” asked Kenric as they entered the postern.

“My lord’s own brother, Earl Roderic, is with him,” said Duncan, looking at Kenric in surprise.  “You would not surely have me mount guard over my lord’s own guests!  By the rood, that were strange hospitality!”

“Where are their dirks and swords?”

“Under my own keeping in the armoury, where ’tis right they should be; for men of peace, as these most surely are, encumber not themselves with the instruments of war.”

“’Tis well,” returned Kenric, much relieved.  “Old Elspeth Blackfell was but playing me with her groundless forewarnings of danger.  Well, get me some meat and a bowl of milk, Duncan, while I go up and see this uncle of mine.  He has seen much of the world, and methinks his discourse must be full of instruction for a home-keeping youth.”

So Duncan went into the guardroom, where two score of noisy retainers were making merry over their cups, and Kenric went upstairs to the great hall.

Up the steep stone steps he climbed, making little noise with his deerskin buskins.  Hearing footsteps at the head of the stairs, he glanced along the north corridor, whose lancet windows looked out upon the quiet sea.

Suddenly in the midst of the moonbeams that streamed in through the western window, lighting the corridor with a clear silvery light, he saw three men steal out of the banqueting hall.  The last of the three moaned grievously as they passed beyond into another apartment.

“Oh, Hamish, Hamish my brother!” he moaned, and his voice was as the wailing of the wind, “what is this evil thing that I have done!”