"But, Mr. Purdie," said Mary, again, "you did not see the yacht either. And I may have been mistaken." "Ye were not mistaken," said the factor, with vicious emphasis. "For well I know what that was. That was nothing else than young Ross coming back from one of his smuggling expedeetions—the thieving, poaching scoundrel!—and little thinking that I would be coming out to Lochgarra this very afternoon. But I’ll be even with my gentleman yet!—for it’s all done to thwart me—it’s all done to thwart me——" The factor’s small clear eyes sparkled with malice; but he had perforce to cease speaking, for at this moment Barbara came into the room. When she had gone again, he resumed: "I will just tell ye how I came to get on his track," Mr. Purdie said, with something of a triumphant air. "And first of all ye must understand, Miss Stanley, I take some little credit to myself for having routed out the illicit stills in this country-side; ay, I’m thinking they’re pretty well cleared out now; indeed I’ll undertake to say there’s not a hidden worm-tub or a mash tun within twenty miles around. There was some trouble; oh, yes; for they’re cunning creatures; and they stand by one another in lying and concealment; but I managed to get some information for the Preventive Staff all the same—from time to time, that was—and then I had a good knowledge o’ the place—ye see, Miss Stanley, I was factor at Lochgarra before your uncle gave me back my post again; and so, with keeping the gaugers busy, we got at one after another of the black bothies, as they call them, until I doubt whether there’s a _bothan dubh_ between here and Strathcarron. Yes, I may admit I take some credit for that. I’ve heard folk maintain that speerits are a necessary of life in a bad climate like this; but what I say is, let people pay their rent before comforting themselves wi’ drams. My business is with the rent. I’m not a doctor. Temperance, ay, and even total abstinence, is a fine thing for everybody." "Won’t you help yourself, Mr. Purdie?" said Kate Glendinning, with grave eyes, and she pushed the sherry decanter towards him. Mr. Purdie filled his glass—for the fifth time—and drained it off. Then he proceeded.