The Advocate then carries back the origin of the trouble to the Loch Arkaig treasure. In some quarrel about this, a person was ‘heard to declare, that, in self defence, he would make known to persons in the King’s service what he knew, or had learned, concerning forged deeds prepared by Fassfern and Charles Stewart.’ This information he actually gave to Colonel Crawfurd. This was certainly one of the witnesses who would not answer to his subpœna, or come to the trial in spite of repeated ‘diligences.’ Lochaber was not likely to be a happy home for him afterwards; _Lochaber no more!_ would probably be the burden of his song. Even Glenevis had three shots fired at him, in November 1752, between Fort William and his own house. So he alleges in a memorial, or petition, in the State Papers. The Colonel then sent for Charles Stewart, who had been introduced to him as a fit person for managing prosecutions against wearers of the philabeg. Charles Stewart, before the arrest of Fassifern, gave Colonel Crawfurd, at Fort William, a written set of Remarks on Fassifern’s claims, impeaching the authenticity of those to which Appin and Charles Stewart had sworn, including the gardener’s 90_l._ But Charles Stewart, when examined before the Lords, withdrew all this, and vowed that he had already denied it to the Colonel. When shown the written statement, he acknowledged that it was in his hand, but that he had written it ‘to pacify the Colonel, who was then in a great rage.’ For, in early summer, 1752, ‘a very hot inquiry was going on touching the murder of Glenure.’ Relations of Charles Stewart were imprisoned, and Colonel Crawfurd, interrogating Charles on the claims of Fassifern, told him that _he_, Charles, ‘was suspected of some accession to Glenure’s murder, and was to be imprisoned if he did not speak out, and make discoveries against the claims upon Lochiel’s forfeiture.’ Charles ‘cannot affirm’ that he did _not_ ‘soothe Col. Crawfurd, who appeared to be in great passion,’ by telling tales against the claims, but rather suspects that he did. But, if he did, he admits that he lied, ‘in the confusion and terror he was then in.’ So far, the evidence before the Court is that of a witness who declines to be sworn, and of a prisoner who withdraws testimony extorted by threats. The Lord Advocate next quoted a letter to Fassifern, from his Edinburgh agent, Mr. Macfarlane, of December 1751—that is, shortly after Fassifern’s release in the affair of the treasure. Mr. Macfarlane obscurely warns him in this letter ‘not to be carried, for the sake of a small paultry sum of money into difficulties.’ ‘Mines were to be sprung,’ ‘odd appellations are given,’ phrases which may, or may not, refer to the business of the French gold.