Gideon Dickson, the farmer of Windyedge, came out himself, and taking the exhausted animal’s bridle-rein, led him away towards the stable. Then Balfour was conducted into the house, and refreshment immediately set before him. While he partook of his repast he spoke not, and those in the room who had hitherto only known him by hearsay as a fearless soldier, who would fight under the most desperate circumstances, now looked, not without astonishment, upon his person. In figure he was considerably under the middle height, but his frame was powerfully knit, and evidently possessed of great strength. His countenance was by no means prepossessing, being dark and forbidding, while a cast in his eye gave him a peculiarly fierce and unpleasant aspect. When he had finished his repast he looked round upon the assembled company, and then fixing his eyes on the face of Sir Robert Hamilton, briefly asked the question:-- "Are these present to be trusted?" "Ay, truly," answered Sir Robert. "They are the picked men of our forces; therefore you may fearlessly open your mouth in their midst, John." "And there are no traitors or spies within hearing?" further queried Kinloch, looking suspiciously round him. "None; we are gathered here for consultation," replied Sir Robert. "Our forces are lying about a mile distant, under cover of the Loudon hill." "That is well. But, tell me, have you had no news, of a very comfortable and pleasant nature, conveyed hither from Fife?" queried Balfour grimly. Sir Robert shook his head and made answer that they had received no communication whatsoever from the shire of Fife. "Nothing relating to that arch-fiend, James Sharp, of St. Andrews?" "Nothing. Come, John, do not keep us in suspense. Can it be that the Lord has permitted judgment to fall on him at last?" "Even so," said Balfour. "Know, then, that certain faithful servants of the Covenant, meeting the archbishop’s carriage on Magus muir, on the third day of this present month, sent the perjured traitor to his just and righteous doom." Sir Robert Hamilton was struck dumb in the intensity of his surprise and horror, for in a moment the consequences of that rash and indefensible act were made clear to his well-balanced mind. One or two others, notably the minister of Broomhill, also exhibited dismay, but the majority of those present received the news with a lively satisfaction, and even with a species of fierce joy which told that in their zeal they thirsted for blood. "Who authorised, or led them to such a rash and unwise attack?" queried Sir Robert Hamilton. "They must have been blind and blood-thirsty zealots, surely, who killed a man in cold blood, without giving him a chance to defend himself." An expression of fierce and bitter scorn crossed the dark face of Balfour as he made answer contemptuously.