"What a chance for some one!" he exclaimed.
Mr Burnett gazed thoughtfully through the smoke of his cigar into the brown water of the river below him.
"I have had thoughts of making a change myself," he said slowly. "But of course they might not select me even if I applied for Myredale."
"In the Scottish Church the custom is to go to the vacant parish to preach a trial sermon, isn't it?" inquired the stranger.
The minister nodded. "A system I disapprove of, I may say," said he.
"I quite agree with you," said the stranger sympathetically. "Still, so long as that is the system, why not try your luck? Mind you, I talk as one who knows the place, and knows Mr Maxwell and his opinion of it. You'll have an enviable visit, whatever happens."
"It is a very long way," said Mr Burnett.
"Don't they pay your expenses!"
"Yes," admitted the minister. "But then I understand that those islands are very difficult for a stranger to enter at present. The naval authorities are extremely strict."
The stranger laughed jovially.