"Presently, the landlord re-entered the room, saying, that Mrs. Robertson answered that her husband had not returned from Raasa, and that she did not much expect he would be back till night. "'Nonsense,' cried Brown, 'Why, I saw the man yesterday according to appointment, and had a long conversation with him.' "'I am sure he's come back,' said one who had spoke before. 'I was coming down the street on the other side of the way, and I saw him standing at the door with his apron on. I should have crossed over to speak to him, but I was in a hurry.' "'It's extraordinary,' said the landlord: 'Mrs. Robertson declares he's not come.' "Some jokes were then passed about the apparent defection of Robertson from his spouse, and the meeting concluded their business without him, his party being exceedingly annoyed at his absence, which they thought not fair to the cause. "'He should have given us his support.' "'I suppose he has altered his opinions.' "'Then he had better have said so.' "'It struck me, certainly, that he was rather lukewarm on the subject when I talked to him last night; but on Tuesday I saw him just before he started, and he said he would not miss the meeting on any account. I'll go and look after him and know what he means.' "Accordingly, Brown proceeded to his friend's house, and found Mrs. Robertson and her children at dinner. "'Weel," Mr. Brown,' she said, 'so your meeting's over.' "'Aye,' said he, 'but where's Robertson? Why didn't he keep his word with us?' "'Why, you see, I dare say he meant to be back--indeed, I know he did: but business won't be neglected, and I suppose he could not manage it.' "'Do you mean to say he's not come back!' said Brown. "'Sure, I do,' answered Mrs. R. 'Of course, he'd have been at the meeting if he had.' "'But people saw him last night, standing at his own door,' answered the cautious Brown. "'Na, na, Mr. Brown, don't you believe that,' said Mrs. R., laughing; they that say that had too much whiskey in their een.' "The children laughed at the idea of anybody seeing their father when he was at Raasa, and on the whole it was evident, that if John Robertson had returned, it was unknown to his family. But what could be his reason for so strange a proceeding, and why, if he wanted to evade the meeting, had he needlessly shown himself at all? Why not really stay away from Portree? "However, Robertson did not appear; and later in the day the landlord of the Tun said to Brown, as he was passing the door, 'You must have been mistaken about seeing Mr. Robertson; the boat from Raasa is not come in.' "'Then he must have come over by some other, for I not only saw him but walked and talked with him. I can't think what he can mean by playing at Hide and Seek in this way?'