A wild gust of wind and snow swished in upon me, and in the
deep snow outside there stood a woman holding a lighted lantern.
"Please d'ye ken anything about Thora Kinlay?" said she; and I
recognized Ann, the servant woman of Crua Breck.
"Anything about Thora?" I asked, surprised at the inquiry. "Why,
Ann, what's gone wrong wi' her?"
"We're feared she's lost," said the woman. "She went outby in the
forenoon, and she hasna come back yet."
"Did she not say where she was going to?" I asked.
"No; and we've heard nothing o' her. We canna think what can hae
come ower her."
"But where are Carver and Tom, and the boat's crew?" I asked. "Have
they not been out seeking for the lass?"
"No; they're all away in the St. Magnus; and the mistress is ill in
her bed. The shepherd and me has been seekin' Thora all the night,
and I've come to Lyndardy, thinkin' ye might hae seen her
yestreen."
"No; I havena seen Thora these nine or ten weeks past," I said.
"But if she be out in this storm she must be looked for; so bide
here a wee, Ann, and I'll come out and help ye."
I thereupon hastened within for my sea boots and oilskins. I had
next to procure a lantern from the byre; and this was somewhat
difficult, for the snow had drifted in a high bank against the
door, and I had to remove it before I could effect an entrance.
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