"The most delightful spot, sir, I have ever visited!" he said enthusiastically. "There is a peacefulness and charm, and at the same time something stimulating in the air I simply can't describe. In body and mind I felt a new man after a week there!" The minister was so clearly struck by this, and his interest so roused, that the stranger pursued the topic and added a number of enticing details. "By the way," he exclaimed presently, "do you happen to know a fellow-clergyman there called Maxwell? His parish is--let me see--Ah, Myredale, that's the name." This struck Mr Burnett as quite extraordinary. "I don't know him personally," he began. "A very sensible fellow," continued the stranger impetuously. "He told me his parish was as like heaven as anything on this mortal earth!" "He has just left it," said Mr Burnett. The stranger seemed surprised and interested. "What a chance for some one!" he exclaimed. Mr Burnett gazed thoughtfully through the smoke of his cigar into the brown water of the river below him. "I have had thoughts of making a change myself," he said slowly. "But of course they might not select me even if I applied for Myredale." "In the Scottish Church the custom is to go to the vacant parish to preach a trial sermon, isn't it?" inquired the stranger. The minister nodded. "A system I disapprove of, I may say," said he. "I quite agree with you," said the stranger sympathetically. "Still, so long as that is the system, why not try your luck? Mind you, I talk as one who knows the place, and knows Mr Maxwell and his opinion of it. You'll have an enviable visit, whatever happens." "It is a very long way," said Mr Burnett. "Don't they pay your expenses!" "Yes," admitted the minister. "But then I understand that those islands are very difficult for a stranger to enter at present. The naval authorities are extremely strict." The stranger laughed jovially. "My dear sir," he cried, "can you imagine even the British Navy standing between a Scotch congregation and its sermon! You are the one kind of stranger who will be admitted. All you have to do is to get a passport--and there you are!" "Are they difficult to get?" The stranger laughed again. "I know nothing about that kind of thing," said he. "I'm a Lancashire lad, and the buzz of machinery is my game; but I can safely say this: that _you_ will have no difficulty in getting a passport." Mr Burnett again gazed at the water in silence. Then he looked up and said with a serious face-- "I must really tell you, sir, of a very remarkable coincidence. Only a few days ago some unknown friend sent me a copy of a newspaper with a notice of this very vacancy marked in it!" The Lancashire lad looked almost thunder-struck by this extraordinary disclosure. "Well, I'm hanged!" he cried--adding hurriedly, "if you'll forgive my strong language, sir." "It seems to me to be providential," said Mr Burnett in a low and very serious voice.