The Mammoth Book of New Sherlock Holmes Adventures - Mike Ashley [77]
“As we drew closer, picking our way carefully along the rocky path, there came all at once the sound of movement somewhere just ahead of us, and then a dark, crouching shape scuttled across the path not more than twenty feet away.”
“The Black Pig!” cried Murdoch MacLeod.
“What?” cried the elder Grice Paterson in return.
“You are in superstitious country,” said Doctor Oliphant. “There is a belief in these parts that the appearance of the Black Pig is an omen of evil.”
“There are some,” said MacLeod in a low tone, “who say that the Black Pig is the Evil One himself!”
Alexander Grice Paterson snorted. “Perhaps it is fortunate for us, then,” he said, “that what we saw did not remotely resemble a pig. It was more like a man, crouching down.”
“Aye,” said his son. “Furtive and creeping, with his robes all draggling out behind him.”
“I need hardly say that we were somewhat unnerved by this apparition,” the elder Grice Paterson continued. “Then, as we stood there, rooted to the spot, a faint, wavering light sprang up in a window high in the tower. I think Donald must have cried out – ”
“With all respect, Pa,” his son interrupted, “I believe that you were the one doing the crying out.”
“Well, well. Be that as it may, next moment an oblong of bright light appeared suddenly before us, as a door was flung open at the base of the tower, and a giant of a man with a great ginger beard stepped out, carrying a lantern.
“MacGlevin,” said MacLeod softly, as Grice Paterson continued:
“ ‘Who’s there?’ the giant’s voice boomed out.”
“Why, man,” cried Angus Johnstone, laughing, “it sounds more like a Grimm’s fairy tale every minute!”
“No doubt,” returned Alexander Grice Paterson, appearing a little annoyed at this interruption, “but it did not strike us that way at the time. We stepped forward and introduced ourselves.
“ ‘A strange time to come paying a visit,’ the giant boomed back at us. I explained our situation, that we had had no idea that the island was inhabited.
“ ‘On our map,’ said I, ‘this building is marked only as a ruin.’
“ ‘Oh, is it?’ replied he. ‘Then your map, sir, is sadly in error – reprehensibly so – and I recommend that you buy yourself a new one! But, come! A MacGlevin does not turn even the meanest wretch from his door – no offence intended, Gentlemen! Pray step this way!’
“We followed him into his castle. He was most hospitable, I must say, and showed us into the clan museum that he has established there. ‘I’ll not light the lamps in here,’ said he, ‘for I ken you’re in a hurry to be off, but take this lantern and have a look about, while I prepare something to warm you!’ Shortly afterwards, we joined him before a blazing fire and drank his health, and five minutes later set off back to our boat, carrying the lantern he had lent us.”
“Had you mentioned to him the creature you had seen earlier?” queried Holmes.
Grice Paterson shook his head. “I’d thought it best not to.”
“Does he keep a dog?”
“No, and there are no sheep or other animals on the island, either.”
“It’s the Black Pig!” said Murdoch MacLeod again, in a tone of awe.
“One moment, if you please,” said Grice Paterson. “Our story is not yet finished.”
“Dear me!” cried Doctor Oliphant. “Yet more adventures?”
“Indeed! You have not yet heard the strangest episode. We eventually reached the western extremity of Uffa, although it was not easy finding our way in the pitch blackness, and the lantern was little help. There, where we had secured the dinghy, was – ” He paused and looked about the room.
“Well?” queried Doctor Oliphant impatiently.
“Nothing.”
“Nothing?”
“Not a thing. No sign whatever of our boat. Just the dark sea splashing over the black rocks. We could see the Puffin riding