All right,' said Allan; 'we'll talk to him. You go in first, Marjorie.'
A short way from the entrance Marjorie came upon Neil; but what a change in her old playmate! Pale, and looking still paler in the dim light; with worn and soiled clothing, and his former bright, pleasant expression changed into sullen despair.
Marjorie's heart sank.
'Neil,' she began, 'we've come to see you, Allan and I.'
'Indeed, Miss Marjorie, it is ferry good of you,' said the lad, rising and looking down upon her with a grateful expression, 'but wass it not ferry unwise of you to come? That sea-captain iss a rough character and he might——'
'Never mind us, Neil,' said Marjorie, 'we're all right. We only wanted to say that we are your friends, whatever happens, and we hope that things will come right for you. And now, Neil, you will go away for a little while, will you not? Don't stay here while you are in such danger of being found.'
Neil looked down upon her, and his face darkened again.
'I cannot be leaving Inchkerra just now, Miss Marjorie,' he said.
'Oh, Neil, do go away. Think what it would be to your mother if you were found—think what it would be to all of us, Neil——'
'Schooner's beginning to weigh anchor,' cried a gruff voice outside.