When I came to myself the cave was filled with armed men and the confused clamour of voices. The torches spluttered and reeked, and I could feel that my naked body was covered with a woman’s cloak wrapped well about me. Someone was binding up my head; and as she examined to see if all had been rightly done, I saw that it was Nell Kennedy. So I called her softly by her name. But she bade me not try to rise; and looked again to my head to see that it had no serious wound. Then came John the Earl and asked how I did. Whereupon, minding, as is my wont, to have old Time by the forelock, I spoke of his promise. ’Here,’ I said, ’is the murderer John Mure. Here is the gang of monsters, and now I will put you in the way of obtaining the Treasure of Kelwood, if you will fulfil the promise which you made to me.’ ’What was that?’ he said shortly. For though Earl John liked promising well enough, he was not so fond of performing if it cost him aught, as in this case it was like to do. ’My sweetheart here, my knighthood, and a suitable down-sitting of land,’ said I, knowing that it was now or never with me. Then he demurred a little, and hesitated, so that for a moment I thought all was lost. ’Your sweetheart you shall have,’ he said at last, ’but the others are not in my gift—save a holding of land, perhaps, which I can let you for a trifling return when it falls vacant.’ And so rejoiced was I to think of getting my lass that I might have consented to this; but Nell was behind me, and upon pretence of arranging a knot of the bandage upon my forehead, she whispered in my ear, ’Threat him with telling the King about the treasure.’ So, knowing her wisdom, I obeyed her. ’Well then, Earl John,’ said I, ’if that be so, and a knighthood and suitable heritages are not in your power to bestow, here at hand is the King. Give me leave to speak with him. He is fond of treasure, and I can put a brave one under his hand!’ ’Hush!’ said the Earl, looking about him with apprehension. For the King was yet in the place with Mar and Lennox, ordering the taking down and burying of the strange, white, narrow-shaped hams, and the other things that turned the gay, squeamish folk that came with him pale and sick only to look upon them. ’Hush!’ he said again, ’above all things beware what you say to the King. Show the Kelwood treasure to myself alone, and you shall have Barrhill—ay, and all Minnochside from the Rowan-tree to the forks of Trool, and I will even speak to the King about the knighting!’ ’Will your lordship please to declare it before witnesses,’ said I, Nell prompting me as before, for my head was dazed; but hers was singularly clear. So he called to him certain honourable men of his name, and promised faithfully. ’Are you content?’ said he. So I said, ’Nelly, show them the treasure. Here is the key!’