"Did you want to see him about the yacht?"
"It wasna' that, a'thegither."
"No?"
"Ye see, I've missed him twice and I'm for Stranraer the morn. We're gaun west to try the herring fishing."
"And you wanted to tell Mr. Johnstone something before you left? Can I give him a message when he comes back?"
Marshall hesitated.
"Weel," he said, "ye can tell him that the Nance cam' up the Firth the night before he started for Edinbro'; that's a while ago, ye mind. Last night she cam' up again, wi' the same crew; the Edinbro' man I telt him o', anither wha keeps a trawl boat doon the Colvend shore, and yin who has a reid mustache."
Elsie started, and then wondered whether she had betrayed her surprise.
"I'll try to remember. I suppose this is for Mr. Johnstone alone?"
"Just that," said Marshall. "I'm thinking it would be better that ye telt naebody else."