business depending, which were scarcely fit to lay before a lawyer

chosen at random. No more remains, but to ask if you will

undertake my service?"

"I have no great mind to it; but coming as you do with Alan's

button, the choice is scarcely left me," said he. "What are your

instructions?" he added, and took up his pen.

"The first point is to smuggle Alan forth of this country," said I,

"but I need not be repeating that."

"I am little likely to forget it," said Stewart.

"The next thing is the bit money I am owing to Cluny," I went on.

"It would be ill for me to find a conveyance, but that should be no

stick to you. It was two pounds five shillings and three-halfpence

farthing sterling."

He noted it.

"Then," said I, "there's a Mr. Henderland, a licensed preacher and

missionary in Ardgour, that I would like well to get some snuff

into the hands of; and, as I daresay you keep touch with your

friends in Appin (so near by), it's a job you could doubtless

overtake with the other."

"How much snuff are we to say?" he asked.

"I was thinking of two pounds," said I.

"Two," said he.

"Then there's the lass Alison Hastie, in Lime Kilns," said I. "Her

that helped Alan and me across the Forth. I was thinking if I

could get her a good Sunday gown, such as she could wear with

decency in her degree, it would be an ease to my conscience; for

the mere truth is, we owe her our two lives."

"I am glad so see you are thrifty, Mr. Balfour," says he, making

his notes.

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