[Chapter XL]. Ephraim Quendale.
"Tom Kinlay is no brother of yours, Thora; nor Carver your father!"
These words were ringing in my ears. What did they mean?
I was questioning in my own mind what Colin could have meant when Mr. Drever asked us all to sit at the table. He had some statement to make.
Turning to Mr. Duke he said:
"In the remarkable evidence just given by Thora--I will not now call her Thora Kinlay--you who heard it were no doubt astonished at the revelation made to her by Colin Lothian in his dying moments."
"Yes, dominie," said Mr. Duke. "I have just been asking Thora what Colin could have meant. Can you throw any light on the matter yourself?"
"I believe we can throw some light on it, bailie, and perhaps you can help me to make the matter clear."
The schoolmaster stood with his hand resting on the chest that had been brought from the cave.
"First of all," said he, "I will ask if you remember Carver Kinlay's arrival in the Mainland?"