“There’s no time to do any more work here now,” Dertu whispered. “Put on the coat, Father.”

Yes, a human male voice singing, singing some pleasant little ditty as the footsteps made their way closer. Dertu gathered up the two leather suitcases, handing one off to Derek.

“Shall we meet the human being as two proper guests of the house?” he asked.

They discovered the old gray-haired human caretaker in a large parlor where the man sang to himself as he dusted the furniture with a rag that reeked of pungent oil, completely oblivious to their presence until Dertu spoke to him.

“Our host has suggested we take the smaller of the two big boats,” said Dertu to the old man. “He said he thought it would be easier to manage. Did he remember to have the gas tank filled?”

“Oh, the Benedicta,” said the old man. “She’s always fueled and ready to go.” He was peering at Dertu and Derek through watery gray eyes. He smiled cordially. He looked utterly harmless in his sagging green cardigan with its brown patched elbows and old pants stained near the cuffs. “The master didn’t tell me anyone was here. Why, I would have brought up your breakfast.”

“I am starving,” whispered Derek. “I cannot remember not being hungry.”

“Well, you know our beloved host,” said Dertu cheerfully to the old man. “Would he be insulted to be called an eccentric? Is there any food on the boat?”

The old man laughed. He slipped a pair of glasses out of his shirt pocket and peered at Dertu through thick lenses. “I think the master loves to be called eccentric,” he said. “And yes, the refrigerator on the Benedicta is always stocked with the basics. That’s the boat my wife and I use. The master drives the new one. The keys are in the boathouse office. You can’t miss the boathouse. But I’ll go down with you if you like.”

“Not necessary,” said Dertu. “How long will it take me to reach Oban?”

“Oban? Good Lord, young man, it will take you three hours in that boat just to reach Harris. You’ll be at sea all day. Listen, why don’t you go down and make yourselves at home on the boat? It has a fireplace, you know. And I’ll pack up lunch and dinner for you. And whatever else you might need. You really should take a flight from Harris if you’re determined to reach Oban. Unless you’re in love with the sea.”

“Thank you so much,” said Dertu. “Now our gracious host said there was a laptop computer somewhere that I might take, and a cell phone.”