clear sailin'!"

"Without wind, eh?" interposed Captain Derrick--"Like your friend
the 'shentleman'? How does he manage that business?"

Jamie looked round with a frightened air, like an animal scenting
danger,--then, shouldering his empty basket, he gave us a hasty nod
of farewell, and, scrambling down the companion ladder without
another word, was soon in his boat again, rowing away steadily and
never once looking back.

"A wild chap!" said the captain--"Many of these fellows get half
daft, living so much alone in desolate places like Mull, and seeing
nothing all their time but cloud and mountain and sea. He seems to
know something about that yacht, though!"

"That yacht is on your brain, Captain!" I said, merrily--"I feel
quite sorry for you! And yet I daresay if we meet her again the
mystery will turn out to be very simple."

"It will have to be either very simple or very complex!" he
answered, with a laugh--"I shall need a good deal of teaching to
show me how a sailing yacht can make steam speed without wind. Ah,
good morning, sir!"

And we both turned to greet Mr. Harland, who had just come up on
deck. He looked ill and careworn, as though he had slept badly, and
he showed but faint interest in the tale of the strange yacht's
sudden exit.