midnight
All she could do now for this dear brother was to call Geordie to her side and put him in his care ; taking what consolation she could from his assurance that `` he would keep him out at sea until the search was cold , and if followed carry him into some of the dangerous ` races ' between the islands . '' If any sailor could keep his boat above water in them , she knew Geordie could ; _ and if not _ -- she durst follow that thought no further , but , putting her hands before her face , stood praying , while the two men pulled silently away in the little skiff that had brought them up the outlet connecting the lake of Stennis with the sea . Margaret would have turned away from Ronald 's open grave less heart-broken . It was midnight now , but her real terror absorbed all imaginary ones ; she did not even call a pony , but with swift , even steps walked back to Stromness . Ere she had reached it , she had decided what was to be done , and next day she left Kirkwall in the mail packet for the mainland . Thence by night and day she traveled to Glasgow , and a week after her interview with Ronald she was standing before the directors of the defrauded bank and offering them the entire proceeds of her Kirkwall property until the debt was paid . The bank had thoroughly respected Peter Sinclair , and his daughter 's earnest , decided offer won their ready sympathy .