"You may as well introduce me," said Dennis. "I'd like to meet the man. Who is his friend, do you know?" "Haven't the remotest idea," I replied. "I have seen him once before, but that is all. I don't know who he is." "Is he staying with Hilderman, or does he live in the neighbourhood?" "That I couldn't tell you either," I said. "I'm sure he doesn't live anywhere near Invermalluch." As we strolled out of the station Hilderman and his companion were standing chatting by the gate which leads on to the pier. As we approached, Hilderman turned to me with a smile. "Ah, Mr. Ewart," he exclaimed, "your friend has left you, then. I hope you won't let his inability to help Miss McLeod depress you unduly. While there's life there's hope." "I shall not give up hope yet awhile, anyway," I answered heartily. "May I introduce my friend Mr. Fuller?" he asked presently, and I found myself shaking hands with the round-faced little man, who blinked at me pleasantly through his glasses. I returned the compliment by introducing Dennis. "On holiday, Mr. Burnham?" asked the American. Dennis was so prompt with his reply that I was convinced he had been thinking it out in the meanwhile. "Well, I hardly know that I should call it a holiday," he replied immediately. "I have just run up to say good-bye to Ewart before offering my services to my King and country. We had intended to join up together, but he has, as you know, been detained for the time being, so I am off by myself." "We are very old friends," I explained, "and Burnham very decently decided to come here to see me as I was unable to go south to see him." "Never mind, Mr. Ewart," said Hilderman. "I guess you'll be able to join him very soon. I wish you luck, Mr. Burnham. I suppose it won't be long before you leave." "He's talking of returning to-morrow," I cut in. "I wish you'd tell him it's ridiculous, Mr. Hilderman. Fancy coming all this way for twenty-four hours. He must have a look round, to say nothing of his stinginess in depriving me of his company so soon." "Well, I can quite understand Mr. Burnham's anxiety to join at the earliest possible moment," he answered. "But I've no doubt Lord Kitchener wouldn't miss him for a day. I think he might multiply his visit by two, and stop till Wednesday, at any rate. Ah, here's the _Fiona_!" I looked out to the mouth of the harbour, and saw the steam yacht, which was in the habit of calling at Glasnabinnie, gliding past the lighthouse rock. I was about to make some comment on the boat when Hilderman forestalled me. "How are you going back?" he asked. "In a motor-boat," I replied. "I am afraid Angus is getting weary of waiting already." "I'm sure Mr. Fuller would be delighted to have you fellows on board. Why not let your man take Mr. Burnham's luggage to Invermalluch, and come to Glasnabinnie on the _Fiona_? You can lunch with me, and when you tire of our company I will run you across in the _Baltimore_. Eh? What do you say?"