The door beyond them opened a little, showing a portion of a scared face and a hand which held a light.

“Guid sakes! what’ll be wrang?” inquired a tremulous female voice.

The man was standing over Archie, pushing him with his foot. His answer may have reassured the questioner, but it had a different effect upon the heap on the ground.

“Hoot, woman! don’t be a fool! It’s me—Ferrier!”

[CHAPTER V
“THE HAPPY LAND”]

THE door opened a little further.

“Here,” said Ferrier to the woman, “go up and bring me the roll of unwritten paper from the table.”

“You’ll no be coming in?”