“No. That would be advertising the importance of my journey. If I can get through at all, it must be by dawnering along as a cannie drover body, anxious to buy up cattle and turn an honest penny by selling them to those who want them worse than I do; a perfectly legitimate trade even during these exciting times. They all know the desire of a humble Scotsman to make a little money, though the Heavens and Kings be falling.” “That’s an admirable idea, and you know the country well?” “No one better. Indeed I’ll trade my way to the very gates of Oxford if time is not too great an object with you.” “Time _is_ an object, Armstrong, but you will have to do the best you can, and we shall await your return with what patience we may. You will tackle the job then?” “It’s just the kind of splore I like. Can you allow me three weeks or a month?” “If you ’re back inside of a month, Will, you ’ll have done what I believe no other man in all Scotland could do. Well, that’s settled then.” “Oh, bide a wee, bide a wee,” cautioned Henderson, who during this colloquy had been visibly fuming under the contemptuous reference Armstrong had uttered regarding him. “This man may be brave enough, but I doubt his judgment. He may have all the wisdom he traitorously denies to the King, but it’s by no means proven.” “I did not deny wisdom to the King, Mr. Pulpiteer. I said Solomon was the wisest of men, except that he was a little daft on the marrying, and in that I’m wiser than he, for whether Cromwell catch me or no, none of the lassies have caught me yet.” “You are ribald,” shouted the minister angrily, “and would add blasphemy to disloyalty. I was speaking of King Charles.” “And I was speaking of King Solomon, and speaking in a lower tone of voice as well. But while we are discussing wisdom, why are you all met here in this bothy, instead of in your own castle, Traquair? This innkeeper is a treacherous, canting dog. I know him of old.” “Henderson thought it would be safer here than at my house. I’m being watched. We conceived it would be less conspicuous if the dozen of us gathered here as if by accident.” “I wish I were as sure of your messenger as I am of the innkeeper,” protested Henderson, his growing dislike of Armstrong not to be concealed. “The innkeeper is a pious man who----” “So was Judas; and he was one of the Apostles,” interrupted Armstrong flippantly, unheeding the other’s anger. “He is an enemy of your friends, the cattle-thieves,” insisted Henderson. “Is he? In that case you’ll know more about him than I do, and I suppose it is policy for you to stand up for him. But, Traquair, I wonder at you! Did you search the house before you sat down here?” “No.” “I went round the steading, and there was no guard at the back.” “Angus is keeping watch, and can see up and down the road.”