“I’m afraid I don’t, madam, but if you wouldn’t mind waiting for a minute I will endeavour to ascertain from one of the gillies if such a cave exists. It is certainly well within the bounds of probability that it does. Excuse me, madam.”

Toker withdrew from the hall in search of information, and when he was gone Carrie caught sight of the two green tents that Catriona and Mary had brought back as trophies yesterday. They were lying neatly folded under the table on which the MacDonalds parked their bonnets. The spirit of the Scottish Brotherhood of Action animated its latest member with the resolution to return the tents to their dispossessed owners. But when she pulled them out from under the table she found it was beyond her power to manage both tents. Even one would not make walking easy. She lacked the heftiness of the MacDonald girls. Just then the butler came back.

“I have made enquiries, madam, about this cave, and it would appear that there is a cave on the lower slopes of Ben Cruet overlooking Glenbristle. I’m afraid I could not venture to make any attempt to pronounce the name of the cave in Gaelic. I have been in the service of Ben Nevis for twelve years, but although I have read all Sir Walter Scott’s wonderful novels and take an intense interest in the legendary lore of the Highlands I have no Gaelic.”

“I’m learning Gaelic now, Toker.”

“Are you indeed, madam? May I respectfully express my admiration? You have indeed set yourself a task. But to return to this cave. It would appear that the most convenient way of obtaining access to it from here is via the old bridle-path to Glenbore. When you reach the gate of the drive instead of carrying on along the road down Glenbogle you should bear up the slope, or brae as they call it here, to the left and follow this path. The cave would appear to lie some five miles further along, quite an appreciable walk in fact and by no means any too smooth.”

“I’ll take it very easy.”

“Precisely, madam, and the view as you come round the shoulder of Ben Cruet and look down into Glenbristle and across over Glenbogle is said to be exceptionally fine. Probably you will choose this point of vantage to consume your lunch.”

“It sounds the very spot. Oh, and that reminds me, Toker, I thought I’d take one of these tents with me.”

“Pardon my apparent density, madam, but what would be your object in doing that? These are the tents belonging to two campers which Miss Catriona and Miss Mary brought back at lunch yesterday.”

“Why, I thought one of these tents would be so nice to sit on for my lunch.”

“You would not find a plaid more commodious, madam? I will procure a light one for you, if you desire.”