"The wind has blown it to," they tried to persuade themselves, though aware that there was not sufficient wind for this.

After a long period of stillness they gathered courage to go to the door and shake it.

It was not only shut, but locked.
On their way back through the Double Dykes they were silent, listening painfully but hearing nothing.

But when they reached the Coffin Brig Tommy said, "Dinna say nothing about this to Elspeth, it would terrify her;" he was always so thoughtful for Elspeth.
"But what do you think o't a' ?" Corp said, imploringly.
"I winna tell you yet," replied Tommy, cautiously.
When they boarded the _Ailie_, where the two girls were very glad to see them again, the eight-o'clock bell had begun to ring, and thus Tommy had a reasonable excuse for hurrying his crew to the Cuttle Well without saying anything of his expedition to Double Dykes, save that he had not seen Grizel.

At the Well they had not long to wait before Mr.McLean suddenly appeared out of the mist, and to their astonishment Miss Ailie was leaning on his arm.