General Ramesay heard me without interruption. When I finished my brief recital, in which I told nothing that was not absolutely true, although I was very careful not to tell everything that happened, it was the man on the other side of the table who spoke. His accent was decidedly Scottish. His manner was harsh, imperious, and severe. I felt instinctively that trouble was to be looked for from him. He had some notes scribbled upon a sheet of paper before him, which he drew closer and examined carefully through a pair of great horn spectacles before he spoke. "You lay last night at Cockenzie you said, Captain Richmond?" I turned to General Ramesay. "Sir," said I, "I am quite willing, in the exercise of my duty, to answer any question, to obey any order from you, my superior officer, but before I reply to this gentleman, will you kindly advise me as to..." "This is Sir Alexander Forfair, Sir Hugh," said the General. "The Lord Chief Justice of Scotland. 'Tis he to whom the warrant was to have been delivered." "I beg your pardon, your lordship," said I, bowing to the old man. He wasted no time in ceremony. "Your answer to my question, please." Although I did not at all fancy his manner, and saw indication of trouble for me therein, I promptly replied in the affirmative with the best grace possible. "You had as a companion at table a young"--he paused--"gentleman?" "I had, sir." "What was his name?" "He told me that it was Carthew." "Have you any reason for believing that that name was assumed for the occasion?" I was silent. The Lord Chief Justice was skilled in reading men, and he saw at once that he need press that question no further. "He answers not, mark you, Ramesay," he said, turning to the General. "Sir Hugh," said the old soldier, with whom I had some acquaintance, having served under him previously, "as a brother officer, and I may say as a friend, I advise you to be entirely frank with his lordship. You stand in a position of some peril." "Pardon me, General Ramesay," interposed the other man. "We need not dwell upon that at present. Sir Hugh doubtless understands his position. He is experienced enough to know how grave it is and what the consequences of his refusal to answer would be." I knew well how serious the position might be if these men knew all that I had done, but that they could know it was beyond belief. I determined, whatever might betide, not to betray Lady Katharine. I was in for it, I supposed, and I did not disguise to myself the gravity of the situation in which I had become involved.