“Oh, I was not suggesting for one moment, Mr Fletcher, that you should try to ram religion down their throats. No, no. As I was trying to explain just now, I’m sure you can rouse their better feelings without the very slightest suggestion of religion. I do feel, however, that even hikers will pay some respect to a clergyman. I don’t know if you heard what they were shouting when the lorry drove up with them to the Castle.”

“I heard only a confused noise.”

“Well, I heard what they were calling Donald, and I must say it was very unpleasant and uncomfortable and not a little alarming. By this time after nearly a couple of hours in these dark, damp, grubby dungeons their temper is bound to be even worse, and I feel sure they would be exasperated by the sight of anybody except perhaps a clergyman. I feel a little guilty in leaving you to tackle them without me, but you do understand, don’t you, my dread of creating the least suspicion of any difference of opinion between myself and Donald?”

“Perfectly. Well, I’ll do my best to adjust matters in the dungeons.”

At this moment Mrs Parsall the housekeeper came in with Duncan.

“Duncan,” Mrs MacDonald said, “Ben Nevis has decided to release the hikers.”

“I’m very glad, my lady. They’ll be more trouble than they’re worth, locked up here. It was very annoying the way they spoilt the afternoon on us. But they’re after being given a good lesson and I don’t think we will be troubled with them again.”

“I hope we shan’t indeed,” said Mrs MacDonald without any warmth of conviction. “And now, Mrs Parsall, I’m afraid I shall have to give you the trouble of arranging for the prisoners to have supper before they go off in the lorry.”

“Very good, ma’am. I shall make the necessary arrangements. Excuse me, ma’am, but Mr Toker was not mistook in giving orders for dinner to be kept back till half-past eight?”

“No; I wanted to give Mr Fletcher plenty of time. You will go down to the dungeons, Duncan, with Mr Fletcher, who wishes to say a few words to the prisoners. And after they have had supper you will see that the lorry puts them down at the nearest point to where they are camping.”

“Oh, well, well, he’s a very fine gentleman right enough is Ben Nevis,” said the old head-keeper. “There’s few gentlemen would be served as he was served to-day over Drumcockie and then turn round and treat the culprits like lords. Och, it’s wonderful, right enough. A very noble godly gentleman.”