And he forced a smile as he waved his hand.
And Duncan stood looking after him till the hazel copse hid him from view.
Then he sighed and went in doors.
* * * * *
Bob, the great white owl, came that night to stare in at the window of the little turret chamber, but all was dark.
And the cawing of the rooks to greet the rising sun brought no young face to the window next morning.
Kep was gone.
CHAPTER III
"ANY SPOT ON EARTH is A HOME FOR THE BRAVE."
About a week after this, rather a crack little cruiser was lying with steam up, or fires alit anyhow, in Plymouth Sound. Long, low, rakish she was, and looked just the craft to go anywhere and do anything, howsoever daring.