He spoke with a politeness which went far to win me, and the farther for the contrast it afforded to Ferguson's violence. With his appearance I was not so greatly taken; finding in it, though he was dressed well enough, clearer signs of recklessness than of discretion, and plainer evidences of hard living than of charity or study. But perhaps the prayer of such a man, when he stoops to pray, is the more powerful. At any rate I was already half gained, when I answered; asking him timidly what I could do for him. "Pay a call with me," said he lightly. "Neither more than that, nor less." I asked him on whom we were to call. "On a lady," he answered, "who lives at the other end of the town." "But can I be of any service?" I said, feebly struggling against the inevitable. "You can," he answered. "Of great service." "Devil a bit!" said Ferguson testily, and stared derision at me out of a cloud of smoke. It occurred to me then that he was not quite sober, and further that he was no more in the secret of the service than I was. "Devil a bit!" said he again, and more offensively. "You will let me judge of that," said the gentleman, and he turned to the table. "Will you mind changing the clothes you wear for these?" he said to me with a pleasant air. On which I saw that he had on the table by his hand a suit of fine silk velvet clothes, and surmounted by a grand dress peruque, with a laced steinkirk and ruffles to match. "Pardon the impertinence," he continued, shrugging his shoulders as if the matter were a very slight one, while I stared in amazement at this new turn. "It is only that I think you will aid me the better in these. And after all, what is a change of clothes?" Naturally I looked at the things in wonder. I had never worn clothes of the kind. "Do you want me to put them on?" I said. "Yes," he answered, smiling. "Will you do it on the faith that it will serve me, and trust to me to explain later?" "If there is no danger in--in the business," I said reluctantly, "I suppose I must." As a fact, whatever he asked me, with Ferguson beside him, I should have to do, so great was my fear of that man. "There is no danger," he replied. "I will answer for it. I shall accompany you and return with you."