would have a shot at puzzling your gallant policemen. You and I
don't take much stock in Governments and their two-cent laws,
and it would be a good game to see just how far you could get into
the forbidden land. A man like you could put up a good bluff on
those hayseeds. I don't mind having a bet ...'

'No,' I said. 'I'm out for a rest, and not for sport. If there was
anything to be gained I'd undertake to bluff my way to the Orkney
Islands. But it's a wearing job and I've better things to think about.'
'So? Well, enjoy yourself your own way. I'll be sorry when you
leave us, for I owe you something for that rough-house, and beside
there's darned little company in the old moss-back captain.'

That evening Gresson and I swopped yarns after supper to the
accompaniment of the 'Ma Goad!' and 'Is't possible?' of captain
and mate. I went to bed after a glass or two of weak grog, and
made up for the last night's vigil by falling sound asleep. I had very
little kit with me, beyond what I stood up in and could carry in my
waterproof pockets, but on Amos's advice I had brought my little
nickel-plated revolver. This lived by day in my hip pocket, but at
night I put it behind my pillow. But when I woke next morning to
find us casting anchor in the bay below rough low hills, which I
knew to be the island of Colonsay, I could find no trace of the
revolver. I searched every inch of the bunk and only shook out
feathers from the mouldy ticking. I remembered perfectly putting
the thing behind my head before I went to sleep, and now it had
vanished utterly. Of course I could not advertise my loss, and
I didn't greatly mind it, for this was not a job where I could
do much shooting. But it made me think a good deal about Mr
Gresson. He simply could not suspect me; if he had bagged my