One of them stepped forward and knocked loudly. Now I had bidden Nicol be ready to open to them and give my message. So I was not surprised when I heard the street door opened and the voice of my servant accosting the men. I know not what he said to them, but soon words grew high and I could see the other come forward to his comrade’s side. By and by the door was slammed violently, and my servant came tearing upstairs. His face was flushed in wrath. "O’ a’ the insolent scoondrels I ever met, thae twae are the foremost. They wadna believe me when I telled them ye were busy. ’Busy at what?’ says the yin. ’What’s your concern?’ says I. ’If ye dinna let us up to see your maister in half a twinkling,’ says the ither, ’by God we’ll make ye.’ ’Make me!’ says I; ’come on and try it. If it wasna for your mither’s sake I wal tie your necks thegither.’" "Nicol," I said, "bring these men up. It will be better to see them." My intention changed of a sudden, for I did not seek to carry my finicking too far. "I was thinkin’ sae, your honour," said Nicol, "but I didna like to say it." So in a little the two gentlemen came up the stairs and into my room, where I waited to receive them. "Gentlemen," said I, "I believe you have some matter to speak of with me." "Why do you keep such scoundrelly servants, Master Burnet?" said one, whom I knew for Sir James Erskine of Tullo. "Your business, gentlemen," I said, seeking to have done with them. They were slight men, whom I could have dropped out of the window; most unlike the kind of friends I should have thought my cousin Gilbert would have chosen. "Well, if you will have our business," said the elder, speaking sulkily, "you are already aware of the unparalleled insult to which a gentlemen of our regiment was subjected at your hands?" "Oh, yes," I said gaily, "I had forgotten. I broke Gilbert’s head with a wine-glass. Does he want to ask my pardon?" "You seem to take the matter easily, sir," said one severely. "Let me tell you that Master Gilbert Burnet demands that you meet him at once and give satisfaction with your sword." "Right," I cried, "I am willing. At what hour shall it be? Shall we say seven o’clock to-morrow’s morning? That is settled then? I have no second and desire none. There is the length of my sword. Carry my compliments to my cousin, and tell him I shall be most pleased to chastise him at the hour we have named. And now, gentlemen, I have the honour to wish you a very good day," and I bowed them out of the room. They were obviously surprised and angered by my careless reception of their message and themselves. With faces as flushed as a cock’s comb they went down stairs and into the street, and I marked that they never once looked back, but marched straight on with their heads in the air. "Ye’ve gien thae lads a flee in their lug," said Nicol. "I wish ye may gie your cousin twae inches o’ steel in his vitals the morn."