And she rose and took them to the box—which, by the blessing of God remained still where we had left it in the recess—and she fitted the key in the lock, and it turned without a sound. And there the Earl bathed his hands in the set jewels, the loose stones of price, and the coined, golden money, plashing them through his fingers with a sound like a spout of water, till for fear of the King, I advised him to close it again. ’It is worth the bargain,’ said he, ’though I am sorry to have promised away fair Minnochside. I trow it was woman’s wit that guided you in the asking, and not that thick-bandaged head-piece of thine, Launcelot Kennedy.’ But I answered not, knowing how to leave well alone when a man is pleased with himself. So the Earl placed Robert Harburgh to guard the chest, and to lie discreetly concerning it if any of the King’s men should come near, saying that it was but some foulness appropriate to the den. But none came asking, and thus was the Treasure of Kelwood conquest for ever to the family of Cassillis. As for Sawny Bean’s monstrous brood, is it not recorded how they were carried through the country to Edinburgh, and as how they went the folk flocked in from leagues away to see and execrate them. They were hurried straight to the sands of Leith, where, without process of trial or pleading, and in the manner prescribed for such fiends, they were executed out of hand as enemies to the human race in general. Thus, mainly through my instrumentality, was the country rid of a monstrous foul blot such as no land since the flood has ever been cursed with. Though I deny not that Dominie Mure and Nell Kennedy helped well according to their possibles, yet the most part of the credit was rightly given to me, who had twice adventured my life within the Cave of Death—though, as I admit, on both occasions against my will. * * * * * Once more the City of Edinburgh swarmed with Kennedys, come thither to the great trial. There had not been so great a concurrence of Westland folk in Edinburgh, since the memorable day when young Gilbert of Bargany cleared the causeway of us of the house of Cassillis—for which afterwards we were one and all put to the horn, to our great and lasting honour, as hath been related. At the West Port I met Patrick Rippett, he who had taunted Benane at the Maybole snowballing. ’Whither is your eye gone?’ I asked him, for he had a black patch where his left eye should have been. ’A fause loon pyked it out and offered it me back on the end of his rapier!’ said Patrick Rippett, with the utmost unconcern. ’And what said ye to him?’ I asked of Patrick, because he was not a man to take a jest (and such a jest) for nothing. ’Faith, I juist bartered him fair. I offered him his heart on the point of mine!’ said Rippett, and so strolled away, ogling the snooded maids at the windows of the high lands as best he could, with the one wicked orb which was left to him.