The Frenchman leaned forward eagerly. "You thought heem to be at heart of us, and you were meestaken; you theenk heem sure to keep our secret, but how are we to know you are not again meestaken?" "Sure, that's easy," broke out O'Sullivan scornfully. "We'll know when the rope is round our gullets." "Oh, he won't peach, Sully. He isn't that kind. Stap me, you never know a gentleman when you see one," put in Creagh carelessly. The young Highlander Macdonald spoke up. "Gentlemen, I'm all for making an end to this collieshangie. By your leave, Lord Balmerino, Mr. Creagh and myself will step up-stairs with this gentleman and come to some composition on the matter. Mr. Montagu saved my life last night, but I give you the word of Donald Roy Macdonald that if I am not satisfied in the end I will plant six inches of steel in his wame for him to digest, and there's gumption for you at all events." He said it as composedly as if he had been proposing a stroll down the Row with me, and I knew him to be just the man who would keep his word. The others knew it too, and presently we four found ourselves alone together in a room above. "Is your mind so set against joining us, Kenn? I have got myself into a pickle, and I wish you would just get me out," Balmerino began. "If they had asked me civilly I dare say I should have said 'Yes!' an hour ago, but I'll not be forced in." "Quite right, too. You're a broth of a boy. I wouldn't in your place, Montagu, and I take off my hat to your spirit," said Creagh. "Now let's begin again."--He went to the door and threw it open.--"The way is clear for you to leave if you want to go, but I would be most happy to have you stay with us. It's men like you we're looking for, and-- Won't you strike a blow for the King o'er the sea, Montagu?" "He is of the line of our ancient monarchs. He and his race have ruled us a thousand years," urged Balmerino. "They have had their faults perhaps----" "Perhaps," I smiled. "Well, and if they have," cried Donald Roy hotly in the impetuous Highland way. "Is this a time to be remembering them? For my part, I will be forgetting their past faults and minding only their present distresses." "It appears as easy for a Highlander to forget the faults of the Stuarts as it is for them to forget his services," I told him. "Oh, you harp on their faults. Have you none of your own?" cried Elphinstone impatiently. "I have seen and talked with the young Prince. He is one to follow to the death. I have never met the marrow of him." "I think of the thousands who will lose their lives for him." "Well, and that's a driech subject, too, but Donald Roy would a hantle rather die with claymore in hand and the whiddering steel aboot his head than be always fearing to pay the piper," said the young Highlander blithely. "Your father was out for the King in the '15," said Balmerino gently.