"I'm Duncan McGregor, his lordship's head keeper," was the reply, given in the cold tones of one accosted by an intruder.
Gimblet hastened to introduce himself and to explain his presence, and
McGregor condescended to thaw.
"I should be very much obliged," said Gimblet, "if you would take a look at the sands where you saw me standing. I'd like to know your opinion on some marks that are there."
The keeper strode down to the beach.
"A boat will have been here," he pronounced after a rapid scrutiny.
"Lately?" asked Gimblet.
He saw the man's eyes go, as his own had done, to the watermarks on the rocks.
"No sae vary long ago," he said, "I'm thinkin' it will hae been the nicht before lairst that she came here."
"Ah," said Gimblet, "I'm glad you agree with me. That's what I thought myself. Do boats often come ashore on this beach?"
McGregor considered.