'What is it?' she asked.
'Hush, don't wake the others. There it is again—now, hark.'
Marjorie listened, and in the calm night she distinctly heard the grating of oars in rowlocks and the sound of a boat's bows dividing the water.
'It's some one coming for us,' she said.
'No, for they would have called out before they got so near.'
Marjorie jumped into a sitting posture and her eyes gleamed.
'What if it should be the smugglers?' she suggested.
She was not frightened, only excited, for the situation promised some adventure.
'It's more likely to be Neil,' said Allan. 'He comes here sometimes. Let's go out and see, but tread softly and don't disturb the youngsters.'
They threaded their way cautiously among the sleepers, shivering a little with the chilliness of the air and with excitement, and stood out of doors in the cool quiet night.