'I'm playin' nae tricks on ye,' replied the Minister, as he opened the door and stood face to face with his guest, whose face was plainly agitated by fear and anger. 'It's either the storm, or aiblins a ghaist, or else some one's playin' tricks on baith o' us.' 'Did ye no place this bit paper i' my room?' inquired his guest wrathfully, holding up a document with his hand accusingly. 'What bit paper is 't?' inquired the Minister. 'I hae pit nae bit paper i' your room.' 'Did Dr. Thomson o' the auld toon no' send ye this bit waste-paper--codicil he called it, or come to see ye aboot it?' 'No, he didna,' replied the Minister, 'neither he nor any ither doctor has been i' my manse yet, an' I hope never wull.' 'On your hon----' began the other. Then catching his host's gleaming eye, said brokenly, 'It's the ---- Well--it's the most extraordinary thing that ever happened to me i' my life. The ghastly noise--then to find this bit paper lyin' i' my room.' 'What is the paper?' inquired the Minister. 'Can ye no hae brocht it wi' ye yoursel'?' Macmanus looked about him stricken and unnerved, the anger had died down in his face, and he seemed to be seeking consolation. 'I'll tell ye the hail matter,' he decided impulsively, 'and what's mair, I'll abide by your advice.' Thereon very briefly he set forth the tale of the codicil, justified himself on all legal grounds, and awaited the Minister's decision. 'Aweel, Macmanus,' replied the Minister slowly but decisively, 'as ye ask my opeenion, aal I can say is that if I was i' your shoes I'd juist forego my legal rights an' let the puir woman hae the twa hundred punds.' 'I believe you're richt,' replied the other; 'but if that ghastly noise happens again I'll come and spend the rest o' the night i' your bedchamber.' 'Come your ways in noo,' responded his host, 'and I'll get ye a drop whisky.' 'Aweel,' murmured the listener with pricked ears, who sat beside gong and tea-tray at the stair-foot, '_I'm thinkin if the Meenister's Macchiavelli, the elder's Machiavelli-er._' REPENTANCE TOWER SCENE I. TEMPTATION Late one spring evening not long after the disaster of Solway Moss, Sir Robert Maxwell was walking to and fro within the Tower of Lochmaben--a heavy frown upon his brow--cogitating his reply to a letter from my Lord Arran--now governor of Scotland under the regency of the widowed Queen, Mary of Lorraine. Amongst other matters touched upon Arran made mention of his purpose to find the right suitor for the hand of Agnes Herries--daughter and heiress of the Lord Herries of Hoddam Castle. A hint was delicately conveyed that possibly Maxwell himself might be eligible--if he gave up his 'assurance with England.' Now Sir Robert's late father--the Lord Maxwell--had been made prisoner at Solway Moss, but had been set free on 'taking assurance' with England and giving twelve hostages of his own name to the opposite warden--Lord Wharton at Carlisle.