put it through than
Alan Breck. It is not a thing (mark ye) that any one could do, but takes
a gentleman of penetration.--But it sticks in my head your lawyer-man
will be somewhat wearying to see me," says Alan.

Accordingly I cried and waved on Mr. Rankeillor, who came up alone and
was presented to my friend Mr. Thomson.

"Mr. Thomson, I am pleased to meet you," said he. "But I have forgotten
my glasses; and our friend Mr. David here" (clapping me on the shoulder)
"will tell you that I am little better than blind, and that you must not
be surprised if I pass you by to-morrow."

This he said, thinking that Alan would be pleased; but the Highlandman's
vanity was ready to startle at a less matter than that.

"Why, sir," says he stiffly, "I would say it mattered the less as we are
met here for a particular end, to see justice done to Mr. Balfour; and
by what I can see, not very likely to have much else in common. But I
accept your apology, which was a very proper one to make."

"And that is more than I could look for, Mr. Thomson," said Rankeillor
heartily. "And now as you and I are the chief actors in this enterprise,
I think we should come into a nice agreement; to which end, I propose
that you should lend me your arm, for (what with the dusk and the want
of my glasses) I am not very clear as to the path; and as for you, Mr.
David, you will find Torrance a pleasant kind of body to speak with.
Only let me remind you, it's quite needless he should hear more of your
adventures or those of--ahem--Mr. Thomson."

Accordingly these two went on ahead in very close talk, and Torrance and
I brought up the rear.

Night was quite come when we came in view of the house of Shaws. Ten had
been gone some time; it was dark and mild, with a pleasant, rustling
wind in the south-west that covered the sound of our approach; as we
drew near we saw no glimmer of light in any portion of the building. It
seemed my uncle was already in bed, which was indeed the best thing for
our arrangements. We made our last whispered consultation some fifty
yards away; and then the lawyer and Torrance and I crept quietly up and
crouched down beside the corner of the house, and as soon as we were in
our places Alan strode to the door without concealment and began to
knock.

CHAPTER XXIX

I COME INTO MY KINGDOM

For some time Alan volleyed upon the door, and his knocking only roused
the echoes of the house and neighbourhood. At last, however