‘Do you see your way?’ asked Merton.
‘I must have time to think it out,’ said Logan. ‘It is rather mixed. When was Bude to return from his cruise to “The Seven Hunters”?’
‘Perhaps to-night,’ said Merton. ‘We cannot be sure. She is a very swift yacht, the Flora Macdonald.’
‘I’ll think it all over, Bude may give us a tip.’
No more would Logan say, beyond asking questions, which Merton could not answer, about the transatlantic past of the vanished heiress.
They loitered back towards the hotel and lunched. The room was almost empty, all the guests of the place were out fishing. Presently the motor returned from Lairg, bringing Mr. Gianesi and a large box of his electrical appliances. Merton rapidly told him all that he did not already know through Mr. Macrae’s telegrams. He was a reserved man, rather young, and beyond thanking Merton, said little, but pushed on towards Castle Skrae in the motor. ‘Some other
motors,’ he said, ‘had arrived, and were being detained at Lairg.’ They came later.
Merton and Logan followed in the tandem, Logan driving; they had handed to Gianesi a sheaf of telegrams for the millionaire. As to the objects of interest on the now familiar road, Merton enlightened Logan, who seemed as absent-minded as Merton had been, when instructed by Dr. MacTavish. As they approached the Castle, Merton observed, from a height, the Flora Macdonald steaming into the sea loch.
‘Let us drive straight down to the cove and meet them,’ he said.
They arrived at the cove just as the boat from the yacht touched the shore. The Budes were astonished and delighted to see their old friend, Logan, and his dog, Bouncer, a tawny black muzzled, bow-legged hero, was admired by Lady Bude.