* * * * * * * * * * *
Creggan spent the night with Daddy, who had not altered a bit, but he rowed Matty home first.
That evening a strange but true tale of the sea was related to Creggan, and the mystery that surrounded his childhood was cleared up once and for ever.
It was thought best by the minister, and by Nugent also, that the hermit should break the news to the lad.
Know then, that not more than a month ago, a lady in black, still beautiful, though she must have been verging on forty, was travelling in a dog-cart through Skye, with her own maid and coachman.
Calling at the manse, M'Ian happened among other things to tell her of the strange story of the finding of Creggan in the skiff on the beach of Kilmara isle.
She seemed strangely agitated.
"Is the skiff still to the fore, and might I see it?"
"Certainly, my dear lady."
She had hardly looked at it before she almost fainted, and would have fallen had not M'Ian's strong arms supported her.