'Ye maunna be thinkin', sir,' urged Ebenezer, somewhat overawed by the bold front and indignant tone assumed by Roderick, whom he had expected to see humbled in the dust, in tearful penitence, and for whose benefit he had actually prepared a little speech full of superior pity, to be delivered before taking leave, 'ye maunna be thinkin' 'at there's nae evidence against ye but the pund note 'at Peter there has traced. The first o't cam frae Inchbracken, I'm thinkin', frae the very castle o' the persecutors; for the puir lass gaes working up there whiles, I'm thinkin'. An', oh sir! but it was an ill-faured trick o' ye, 'at ye wad expose our shame an' our nakedness up yonder!--tellin't in Gath, as a body micht say, publishin' 't in Askelon! An' ye beut to confess afore ye gang, sir, an' mak reparation to the puir lass, an' syne ye an' her micht begin ower again, whaur ye wisna kenned, an' ye micht do weel yet, afore ye dee!' 'I must protest,' said Mr. Geddie, 'against removal out of the parish at present! though it is only right that your ministrations should cease. Brother Dowlas will have seen the Moderator of the Presbytery ere now, and I doubt not a _pro re nata_ meeting is already called to investigate this terrible _fama_. The case will be taken up forthwith, and it would be a fleeing from discipline, which you are aware, my poor brother, is a most serious ecclesiastical offence, were you to remove yourself beyond the bounds. The law of the Church requires that you should be tried and put to open shame, that your soul may be saved. Accept the chastening in a fitting spirit. And oh! my brother! confess! confess! if peradventure the publicity and the discredit which it will bring upon the Church be averted!' Roderick rose to his feet. 'Enough! Mr. Geddie,' he said. 'I can permit no more of this! I have told you how the innocent cause of this misunderstanding came into my hands, and I cannot consent to hear my statements treated as falsehood in my own study. I would say more, but I know well that when you come at last to perceive the truth of the case, there is no man living who will be more ashamed of his acceptance of a preposterous calumny.' Mr. Geddie would have made still another heart-moving appeal to the sinner to confess, but the Laird had risen, so too had Peter and Ebenezer, and he found himself borne along to the door. With a last great cry he raised his hands aloft, and as he crossed the threshold he exclaimed--'Ephraim is joined to his idols! Let him alone!' CHAPTER XXIX. _CONSULTATION_.