Just after this interview a little lad put a note in John's hand from Margaret Fae.

It only asked him to be on Brogar Bridge at eight o'clock that night.

Now Brogar Bridge was not a spot that any Orcadian cared to visit at such an hour.

In the pagan temple whose remains stood there it was said pale ghosts of white-robed priests still offered up shadowy human sacrifices, and though John's faith was firm and sure, superstitions are beyond reasoning with, and he recalled the eerie, weird aspect of the grim stones with an unavoidable apprehension.

What could Margaret want with him in such a place and at an hour so near that at which Peter usually went home from his shop?
He had never seen Margaret's writing, and he half suspected Sandy Beg had more to do with the appointment than she had; but he was too anxious to justify himself in Margaret's eyes to let any fears or doubts prevent him from keeping the tryst.
He had scarcely reached the Stones of Stennis when he saw her leaning against one of them.