'How are we going to manage it?' asked Tricksy, with eyes and mouth open.
The others did not reply.
'We will make a compact,' cried Marjorie, rising with sparkling eyes, 'and we'll all sign an agreement; something like this: "We hereby promise never to rest until we find out who committed the robbery and show that Neil didn't do it."'
'Yes,' said Tricksy; 'let's write it at once.'
'No pens or paper here,' said Marjorie; 'we'll write it down when we get into the house. Euan, you must join the compact too; we'll send you a copy for yourself. Each of us shall have his or her own copy to carry about wherever we go; and each copy shall be signed by every member of the compact. We'll form ourselves into a Society to prove that Neil is innocent.'
'So we shall,' said Allan; 'good idea that of yours, Marjorie.'
'That's all right,' said the youngest member of the Society; 'now, when are we going to begin?'
'You must give us time, Tricksy,' said Allan; 'it won't be so very easy;' but all the faces wore a more cheerful expression.
'There's a telegraph boy,' said Marjorie suddenly, 'do you see him?—just going in at the gates of Ardnavoir. Perhaps it's some news of Neil.'
'Run, Reggie,' said Allan, 'you are the best runner; and see whether it's anything of that kind.'