Merton gave him a succinct sketch of the events, and he could see that Mr. Williams already suspected Donald Macdonald, the engineer.  Merton, Mr. Williams, and the driver now got into the motor, and were followed by the gillie-detective and a man to drive in a dog-cart hired from the inn.  Merton ordered all answers to telegrams to be sent by boys on bicycles.

It was late ere he returned to Castle Skrae.  There nothing of importance had occurred, except the arrival of more messages from the wireless machine.  They insisted that Miss Macrae was in perfect health, but implored the millionaire to settle instantly, lest anxiety for a father’s grief should undermine her constitution.

Mr. Williams had a long interview with Mr. Macrae.  It was arranged that he should read family prayers in the morning and evening.  He left The Church Quarterly Review and numbers of The Expositor, The Guardian, and The Pilot in the hall with his great coat, and on the whole his entry was very well staged.  Duncan Mackay occupied a room at the keeper’s, who had only eight children.

Mr. Williams asked if he might see Mr. Blake; he could impart religious consolation.  Merton carried this message, in answer to which Blake, who was in bed very sulky and sleepy, merely replied, ’Kick out the hell-hound.’

Merton was obliged to soften this rude message, saying that unfortunately Mr. Blake was of the older faith, though he had expressed no wish for the ministrations of Father McColl.

On hearing this Mr. Williams merely sighed, as the Budes were present.  He had been informed as to their tenets, and had even expressed a desire to labour for their enlightenment, by way of giving local colour.  He had, he said, some stirring Protestant tracts among his clerical properties.  Mr. Macrae, however, had gently curbed this zeal, so on hearing of Blake’s religious beliefs the sigh of Mr. Williams was delicately subdued.

Dinner-time arrived.  Blake did not appear; the butler said that he supported existence solely on dried toast and milk and soda-water.  He was one of the people who keep a private clinical thermometer, and he sent the bulletin that his temperature was 103.  He hoped to come downstairs to-morrow.  Mr. Williams gave the party some news of the outer world.  He had brought the Scotsman, and Mr. Macrae had the gloomy satisfaction of reading a wildly inaccurate report of his misfortune.  Correct news had not reached the press, but deep sympathy was expressed.  The melancholy party soon broke up, Mr. Williams conducting family prayers with much unction, after the Budes had withdrawn.

In a private interview with the millionaire Merton told him how he had discovered the real meaning of ‘The Seven Hunters,’ whence the first telegram of the kidnappers was dated.  Neither man thought the circumstance very important.

’They would hardly have ventured to name the islands if they had any idea of staying there,’ the millionaire said, ’besides any heartless jester could find the name on a map.’