innuendo, and with an exceedingly ill voice and ear -

"As Mally Lee cam doun the street, her capuchin did flee,

She cuist a look ahint her to see her negligee.

And we're a' gaun east and wast, we're a' gann ajee,

We're a' gaun east and wast courtin' Mally Lee."

CHAPTER II--THE HIGHLAND WRITER

Mr. Charles Stewart the Writer dwelt at the top of the longest

stair ever mason set a hand to; fifteen flights of it, no less; and

when I had come to his door, and a clerk had opened it, and told me

his master was within, I had scarce breath enough to send my porter

packing.

"Awa' east and west wi' ye!" said I, took the money bag out of his

hands, and followed the clerk in.

The outer room was an office with the clerk's chair at a table

spread with law papers. In the inner chamber, which opened from

it, a little brisk man sat poring on a deed, from which he scarce

raised his eyes on my entrance; indeed, he still kept his finger in

the place, as though prepared to show me out and fall again to his

studies. This pleased me little enough; and what pleased me less,

I thought the clerk was in a good posture to overhear what should

pass between us.

I asked if he was Mr. Charles Stewart the Writer.

"The same," says he; "and, if the question is equally fair, who may

you be yourself?"

"You never heard tell of my name nor of me either," said I, "but I

bring you a token from a friend that you know well. That you know

well," I repeated, lowering my voice, "but maybe are not just so

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