the Princess's trail, and the whole persecution will start again.
I want to see things brought to a head here and now. If we can
stick it out here long enough, we may trap the whole push and rid
the world of a pretty gang of miscreants. Let them show their hand,
and then, if the police are here by that time, we can jug the lot for
piracy or something worse."

"That's all right," said Dougal, "but we'd put up a better fight if
we had the women off our mind. I've aye read that when a castle was
going to be besieged the first thing was to get rid of the civilians."

"Sensible to the last, Dougal," said Dickson approvingly.
"That's just what I'm saying. I'm strong for a fight, but put
the ladies in a safe bit first, for they're our weak point."

"Do you think that if you were fighting my enemies I would consent
to be absent?" came Saskia's reproachful question.

"'Deed no, Mem," said Dickson heartily. His martial spirit was
with Heritage, but his prudence did not sleep, and he suddenly
saw a way of placating both. "Just you listen to what I propose.
What do we amount to? Mr. Heritage, six laddies, and myself--and
I'm no more used to fighting than an old wife. We've seven
desperate villains against us, and afore night they may be seventy.
We've a fine old castle here, but for defence we want more than stone
walls--we want a garrison. I tell you we must get help somewhere.
Ay, but how, says you? Well, coming here I noticed a gentleman's house
away up ayont the railway and close to the hills. The laird's maybe not
at home, but there will be men there of some kind--gamekeepers and
woodmen and such like. My plan is to go there at once and ask for help.