"It's the first time I ever h'ard of onybody doin' the like," he said at last. "The landin' stage is awa' at the ether side o' the p'int; it's aye there they land. There's nae a man in a' this glen would come in here, unless it whar for some special reason. It's no' a vary grand place tae bring a boat in. The rocks are narrow at the mouth."
"Do strangers often come to these parts?"
"There are no strangers come to Inverashiel," said the keeper. "The high road runs at the ether side o' the loch through Crianan, and the tramps and motors go over it, but never hae I known one o' that kind on our shore."
Gimblet observed with some amusement that the man spoke of motors and tramps as of varieties of the same breed; but all he said was:
"Could you make inquiries as to whether anyone on the estate happens to have brought a boat in here during the last week? I should be glad if you could do so without mentioning my name, or letting anyone think it is important."
He felt he could trust the discretion of this taciturn Highlander.
"I'll that, sir," was the reply.
And Gimblet could see, in spite of the man's unchanging countenance, that he was pleased at this mark of confidence in him.
"Could you take me to the head gardener's house?" he asked, abruptly changing the subject. "I should rather like a talk with him."
McGregor conducted him down the road to the lodge.