’To be "at the horn" is no uncommon thing in Carrick,’ I replied, ’and makes little difference either to the length of a man’s life or the soundness of his sleep. I have been at the horn ever since I was eighteen years of my age.’ ’Well, Launcelot,’ he said soberly, ’so it has turned out even as I said. I know—I know. It is not in man that walketh to direct his steps. But I saw ye were all "fey" at Culzean.’ Then I told him the purpose of my coming all the way to Edinburgh to see him. ’What!’ he said, ’ye have never come so far only to have speech of poor Robert Bruce, that was yesterday Minister of Edinburgh, and to-day is, I fear, doomed to lay his head on the hag-clog?’ I told him it was even so, and that, being the man of wisest counsel I had ever known, I would have gone ten times as far to have his friendly advice. ’Ay me,’ he said sadly, ’wae is the man that has such a rumour and report of wisdom, yet cannot counsel himself what he should do in his own utter need.’ But, for all that, he went over everything that had happened in Carrick, with a clearness most like that of a lawyer when he sets in order his case before the judge. Then he sat a long while silent, with his finger tips drumming idly upon his writing. ’So Bargany is dead,’ he said at last. ’He was the only considerable man of his own faction. Who is there to succeed him?’ ’But a child!’ said I, ’one that plays with puppets.’ ’As do we all, Launcelot,’ said Maister Bruce, smiling on me. ’And after him in that faction, of his own house and kin who comes—?’ he asked. ’There are none besides the Tutor’s murderer, Thomas of Drummurchie, and Benane his brother, but he is a deboshed man and of no account,’ I made answer, not seeing his drift. ’Who leads them then—?’ ’John Mure of Auchendrayne is their only considerable man, and he has waxen great and greater within these months.’ The minister nodded his head and sat still as one that considers all sides of a question. ’And of you that stand by the gold and blue—who remains?’ he went on. I told him but John, Earl of Cassillis, and his brother the Master. ’And in whose friendship is the Master?’ he asked. ’In our country of Carrick he has an auld friendship with Auchendrayne, and a good-going feud with the Earl, his brother; but recently he has taken up with the Lord of Garthland in Galloway and married his sister.’ ’Tell him from me,’ said the minister of Edinburgh, ’to bide close in Galloway and get him bairns in peace. For gin he comes back to Carrick, of a surety his head shall be the next to fall.’ ’And why so?’ said I. ’Because,’ said Maister Robert Bruce, ’John Mure designs that there shall be no power in Carrick nor in the Shire of Ayr besides his own and that of the Earl—till he get time to have him also killed. I tell you Auchendrayne hath the brains of any three of you.’ ’And of the treasure of Kelwood, what?’ said I.