All eyes were attracted to them; then an approving expression came into the boys' faces, and as the girls passed they moved somewhat aside to look at them from another point of view. Despite the anxiety which had brooded over her since morning, Marjorie began to feel her spirits rise. 'Marjorie,' said Tricksy solemnly, as Duncan was driving them to the landing-stage, 'which do you think is the best fun, being a boy or being a girl?' Marjorie had been lost in thought, but at Tricksy's question her eyes began to dance. 'I think it's best of all to be a tomboy,' she said, 'and then you can be a bit of both!' When the sailors had shipped their oars, and the boat glided under the side of the great war-vessel, first the ladies, and then the girls were assisted on deck and greeted by the captain, erect and broad-shouldered, and by the officers, the youngest of whom was Tricksy's friend of the year before. Dr. MacGregor and the laird and Mr. Graham were already on board. 'Hullo, Miss Tricksy, how do you do?' said a voice, and Tricksy looked up to see the Sheriff, who was smiling at her with outstretched hand. Tricksy looked solemnly up in his face. 'Well, aren't you going to shake hands, Tricksy?' said the Sheriff. 'No,' said Tricksy deliberately. The Sheriff's expression altered. 'And why not, Miss Tricksy, if I might inquire?' he said. Tricksy met his grim smile with a solemn stare of disapproval. 'Because you let a great friend of ours be put in prison when he didn't deserve it,' she replied. 'That was why I sent back the big box of chocolates that you sent me by post. Mother did not know that it had come. We can't be friends until you've owned yourself in the wrong. We've all joined a Compact to get our friend back again and to show that it wasn't he who did it. I've got it with me,' and Tricksy began to fumble in her pocket. The smile was beginning to twitch at the corners of the Sheriff's lips again when he was addressed by one of the officers. The little scene had passed unobserved by all save Marjorie, as the captain suggested that, the weather being fine and time at their disposal, the _Heroic_ should take their visitors on a tour round Inchkerra. 'Certainly, certainly,' said the Sheriff at haphazard, and Tricksy slipped away. 'In the meanwhile I think lunch is ready,' said Captain Redwood, and each of the officers took a lady downstairs, Tricksy falling to the share of the youngest.