And at last, at sunset, they had reached the Fort, and he was conducted to a guard-room and there left to his own thoughts. Suddenly the door opened softly and the angular form of Captain Strange slid into the room. Rob started to his feet and waited in silence for him to speak. But that Strange seemed in no hurry to do. Instead, he took to walking slowly up and down the room with his hands coiled behind his back and his chin sunk upon his chest. Then, "Rob," said he, "what did I tell ye in Inverness?" To which he received no reply. Rob had the rare gift of silence. "Did I no tell ye that a gibbet was like enough to watch your capers before very long? Maybe ye've no seen a man hanged by the neck, Rob. It's no a bonny sight, say what you will; and in my way of thinking, no a pleasant prospect for onybody, least of all for a lad of spirit like yersel', Rob, for I'll no deny I admire your pluck," and he breathed heavily and stared out of the window. "Did you come to talk about hanging?" asked Rob, struggling to speak with composure. "In passing, Rob--merely in passing. It is a subject that fascinates me, I'll no deny. Come here a minute; ye can see the hanging-tree against the sky-line. It's a rare poseetion, Rob--there'll be nane will pass this way but will ask 'Who's dangling there?' and they'll learn it was Rob Fraser, executed for meddling with what didna concern him. It's a braw fool ye'll look, then, Rob--no great rebel dying for his principles, but just a silly laddie who ran a big risk for other people's dirty profit." "You can call it what you will," cried Rob, stung to anger, and paused. "Say your say, Rob; dinna be afraid," encouraged Strange softly. Rob shut his lips seeing there was a trap being laid for him. Perceiving that he would not speak, the other frowned a moment, then with an appearance of kindly sympathy he patted him upon the shoulder. "Forget my foolish havers," he said. "I was only warning you for your ain good, for it's a dangerous game you're playing, Rob, and a game that you are playing in the dark. Will ye hear me out and say if what I'm telling ye is no true," and he drew a stool near to the boy. "Let me run over your movements for the last week or so," he went on. "After Culloden--and ye mind I did my best to save ye that night in Inverness--you came to Lovat's country, and thence down to Arkaig. There you met Cameron and buried the gold. There also you escaped out of our hands, and I'll grant no so clumsily, though you were not to blame for that. Then, accompanied by the desperate man ye ken as Muckle John, you made to the north and were captured yesterday in Captain Campbell's camp. Now, Rob, is that no the truth?" "It is," said Rob, "though what you have to say against Muckle John should be kept for his own ear. It is wasted on mine."