Although the distance which separated John Spence from Adam Mercer was only about thirty miles, there had been little intercourse between the cousins. A ridge of hills and a wild district intervened without any direct communication. The mail coach which passed through Drumsylie did not come within miles of Castle Bennock. Letters, except on business, were rare between the districts, and were very expensive at that time to all but M.P.’s, who could frank them for themselves or their friends. And so it was that while John and Adam occasionally heard of each other, and exchanged messages by mutual friends, or even met after intervals of years, they nevertheless lived as in different kingdoms. It was late on the Tuesday after his flight that Jock Hall, for reasons known only to himself, entered the cottage of John Spence and walked up to the blazing fire, beside which the old keeper was seated alone. "Wat day, Mr. Spence!" said Jock, as his clothes began to smoke almost as violently as the fire which shone on his wet and tattered garments. John Spence was evidently astonished by the sudden appearance and blunt familiarity of a total stranger, whose miserable and woebegone condition was by no means prepossessing. Keeping his eye fixed on him, John slowly drew a crutch between his knees, as if anxious to be assured of present help. "Wha the mis-chief are ye?" asked Spence in an angry voice. "A freen’, Mr. Spence--a freen’!" replied Jock, quietly. "But let me heat mysel’ awee--for I hae travelled far through moss and mire, and sleepit last nicht in a roofless biggin, an’ a’ to see you--and syne I’ll gie ye my cracks." Spence, more puzzled than ever, only gave a growl, and said, slowly and firmly, "A freen’ in need is nae doot a freen’ indeed, and I suppose ye’ll be the freen’ in need, and ye tak’ me for the freen’ indeed, but maybe ye’re mista’en!" Hall remaining silent longer than was agreeable, Spence at last said impatiently, "Nane o’ yer nonsense wi’ me! I’ll ca’ in the keepers. Ye’re ane o’ thae beggin’ ne’er-do-weel tramps that we hae ower mony o’. Gang to the door and cry lood for Hugh. He’s up in the plantin’; the guidwife and bairns are doon at the Castle. Be quick, or be aff aboot yer business." Jock very coolly replied, "My business is wi’ you, an’ I’m glad I hae gotten ye by yersel’ an’ naebody near. I’ll _no_ ca’ Hugh, an’ I ken _ye_ canna do’t. Sae I’ll jist wait till he comes, an’ tell ye my business in the meantime. Wi’ your leave, Mr. Spence, I’ll tak’ a seat;" on which he drew a chair to the side of the fire opposite old John, who partly from fear and partly from a sense of his own weakness, and also from curiosity, said nothing, but watched Hall with a look of childish astonishment, his under lip hanging helplessly down, and his hand firmly grasping the crutch. His only remark was--"My certes, ye’re a cool ane! I hae seen the day----" but what he had seen vanished in another growl, ended by a groan.