"Even so," I answered boldly, feeling that by happy chance I had stumbled upon an excellent excuse for my presence and interest. "We have heard in Edinburgh that you were on your way hither with warrants for the execution of the Earl of Clanranald and other rebels against His Majesty." "Faith, sir," was the reply, "my name, my history, and business seem well enough known in these parts. And how, may I ask, was this news bruited abroad?" "Express riders from the south have stated that you were charged with the delivery of the King's warrants for those high enough for His Majesty to take personal interest in," I answered promptly. "'Fore God, sir," exclaimed Sir Hugh, laughing lightly, "with that rumour running ahead of me, I wonder some one did not endeavour to despoil me of my warrants in the interest of the condemned!" "Sir," said I, "we are all loyal men in these parts." I smiled as I spoke. "Since Sedgemoor," returned the captain, sharing in my amusement. "Ay, since Sedgemoor, and I believe there is no man in Scotland would molest you." "But the adherents of Clanranald? I mention him since he is of the greater rank," he asked curiously. I shrugged my shoulders. 'Twas excellent well done i' faith. I doubt if Mistress Nell Gwynn herself could have acted better. Although my heart was beating like to choke me, I gave no outward sign. "He hath made his bed," I said, with what affectation of indifference I could muster, "let him lie upon it." "'Tis like to be a long sleep then," returned my captain grimly, "for the warrant spells his death." "So we have heard," said I. I had to bite my lip and turn away for the moment, but I put such iron constraint upon myself as enabled me to awaken no suspicion in the captain's mind. "Poor gentleman!" he said, after a little pause. "I never had errand that I liked less to discharge. But this work does not interest you, young sir." Oh, did it not? I never was so interested in all my life. "Nor did I break upon your solitude to discuss the King's business or my own. I learned from the landlord that a guest had preceded me, and that a gentleman had ordered supper who sat in loneliness out here, whence I made bold to interrupt your reverie and propose that we should share the table. I have had so little society since entering Scotland that I pine for a little free intercourse with my equals. Most gentlemen have avoided me, due perhaps to the rumour of which you speak." "You are very welcome to such poor companionship as I can give you," said I. "And indeed, as I told you, I had come here to seek you with view to entering the King's service. I'm a gentleman of some small fortune. They call me the Laird of Lochnaven." "Your age, young sir?" said the captain, surveying me thoughtfully. "My age!" I exclaimed, with a woman's natural reluctance to declare it. "Is it necessary that I...?" The captain threw back his head and laughed boisterously.