She seemed to look at me for an instant a little doubtfully before she answered,
"The Admiralty have asked all the Justices of Peace to have the coast patrolled."
"By whom?"
"Anybody they can get. We have the whole island mapped out into beats and the different; farmers take it night about."
For the moment I only half believed her. Such an amateur way of keeping watch and ward in such a vital area seemed hardly credible, but I learned afterwards that in those early days of the war that was one of the things which actually happened. Another fact also made me doubtful. On the night I landed I had met no watchers.
"Who watches the shore up at the north end—near the Scollays' farm?" I asked.
"Oh, Dr. Rendall and Mr. O'Brien look after that beat," said she.
In a flash my belief in my own adventure had begun to return. Either that couple neglected their duty—or I had met one of the watchers!
"Do the doctor and Mr. O'Brien ever go out themselves—like your father to-night?" I asked.
"Mr. O'Brien goes out pretty often, I believe."