ent towards the dame. He was a far-off
cousin of the Sabays, and, though not on the best of terms with them,
his relationship was considered to impose the duty particularly on
him.

"Gude-e'en, if thou comes on a gude errand," said old Dame Alison,
suspiciously; "but that's no thy custom, bailie."

"I came, dame, to ask John anent Peter Fae."

The dame laughed pleasantly. "If thou had asked him anent Margaret
Fae, he could tell thee more about it."

"This is nae laughing matter, dame. Peter Fae has been murdered--yes,
murdered! An' he said, ere he died, that John Sabay did the deed."

"Then Peter Fae died wi' a lie on his lips--tell them that, John," and
the old woman's face was almost majestic in its defiance and anger.

"I hae not seen Peter Fae for a week," said John. "God knows that,
bailie. I wad be the vera last man to hurt a hair o' his gray head;
why he is Margaret's father!"

"Still, John, though we hae nae warrant to hold thee, we are beholden
to do sae; an' thou maun come wi' us," said Bailie Inkster.

"Wrang has nae warrant at ony time, an' ye will no touch my lad," said
Alison, rising and standing before her son.

"Come, dame, keep a still tongue."

"My tongue's no under thy belt, Tulloch; but it's weel kenned that
since thou wranged us thou ne'er liked us."

"Mother, mother, dinna fash theesel'. It's naught at a' but a mistake;
an' I'll gae wi' Bailie Inkster, if he's feared to tak my word."

"I could tak thy word fain enough, John--"

"But the thing isna possible, Inkster. Besides, if he were missing
Monday morn, I, being i' some sort a relation, wad be under suspicion
o' helping him awa."

"Naebody wad e'er suspect thee o' a helping or mercifu' deed, Tulloch.
Indeed na!"

"Tak care, dame; thou art admitting it wad be a mercifu' deed. I heard
Peter Fae say that John Sabay stabbed him, an' Ragon Torr and Hacon
Flett saw John, as I understan' the matter."

"Mother," said John, "do thou talk to nane but God. Thou wilt hae to
lead the prayer theesel' to-night; dinna forget me. I'm as innocent o'
this matter as Christine is; mak up thy mind on that."

"God go wi' thee, John. A' the men i' Orkney can do nae mair than they
may against thee."

"It's an unco grief an' shame to me," said Tulloch, "but the Sabays
hae aye been a thorn i' the flesh to me, an' John's the last o' them,
the last o' them!"

"Thou art makin' thy count without Providence, Tulloch. There's mair
Sabays than Tullochs;