Having written out his orders and telegrams, Mr. Macrae went downstairs to visit the stables.  He gave his commands to his servants, and, as he returned, he met Logan, who had been on the watch for him.

‘I am myself again, Mr. Macrae,’ said Logan, smiling.  ’After all, we are living in the twentieth century, not the sixteenth, worse luck!  And now can you give me your attention for a few minutes?’

‘Willingly,’ said Mr. Macrae, and they walked together to a point in the garden where they were secure from being overheard.

’I must ask you to lend me a horse to ride to Lairg and the railway at once,’ said Logan.

‘Must you leave us?  You cannot, I fear, catch the 12.50 train south.’

‘I shall take a special train if I cannot catch the one I want,’ said Logan, adding, ’I have a scheme for baffling these miscreants and rescuing Miss Macrae, while disappointing them of the monstrous ransom which they are certain to claim.  If you can trust me, you will enter into protracted negotiations with them on the matter through the wireless machine.’

‘That I had already determined to do,’ said the millionaire.  ’But may I inquire what is your scheme?’

’Would it be asking too much to request you to let me keep it concealed, even from you?  Everything depends on the most absolute secrecy.  It must not appear that you are concerned—­must not be suspected.  My plan has been suggested to me by trifling indications which no one else has remarked.  It is a plan which, I confess, appears wild, but what is not wild in this unhappy affair?  Science, as a rule beneficent, has given birth to potentialities of crime which exceed the dreams of oriental romance.  But science, like the spear of Achilles, can cure the wounds which herself inflicts.’

Logan spoke calmly, but eloquently, as every reader must observe.  He was no longer the fierce Border baron of an hour agone, but the polished modern gentleman.  The millionaire marked the change.

‘Any further mystery cannot but be distasteful, Lord Fastcastle,’ said Mr. Macrae.

‘The truth is,’ said Logan, ’that if my plan takes shape important persons and interests will be involved.  I myself will be involved, and, for reasons both public and private, it seems to me to the last degree essential that you should in no way appear; that you should be able, honestly, to profess entire ignorance.  If I fail, I give you my word of honour that your position will be in no respect modified by my action.  If I succeed—­’

‘Then you will, indeed, be my preserver,’ said the millionaire.

‘Not I, but my friend, Mr. Merton,’ said Logan, ’who, by the way, ought to accompany me.  In Mr. Merton’s genius for success in adventures entailing a mystery more dark, and personal dangers far greater, than those involved by my scheme (which is really quite safe), I have confidence based on large experience.  To Merton alone I owe it that I am a married, a happy, and, speaking to any one but yourself, I might say an affluent man.  This adventure must be achieved, if at all, auspice Merton.’