nely ascension, and haranguing a
befooled multitude to the same intent, when, all the time, you had a
companion concealed in the car. 'A public character!' you call yourself!
My word, sir! there'll be no mistake about it, this time."

I paused, took breath, and shook a finger at him:--

"Now just you listen to me, Mr. Byfield. Pull that string, and a sadly
discredited aeronaut descends upon the least charitable of worlds. Why,
sir, in any case your game in Edinburgh is up. The public is dog-tired
of you and your ascensions, as any observant child in to-day's crowd
could have told you. The truth was there staring you in the face; and
next time even your purblind vanity must recognise it. Consider; I
offered you two hundred guineas for the convenience of your balloon. I
now double that offer on condition that I become its owner during this
trip, and that you manipulate it as I wish. Here are the notes; and out
of the total you will refund five pounds to Mr. Sheepshanks."

Byfield's complexion had grown streaky as his balloon; and with colours
not so very dissimilar. I had stabbed upon his vital self-conceit, and
the man was really hurt.

"You must give me time," he stammered.

"By all means." I knew he was beaten. But only the poorness of my case
excused me, and I had no affection for the weapons used. I turned with
relief to the others. Dalmahoy was seated on the floor of the car, and
helping Mr. Sheepshanks to unpack a carpet bag.

"This will be whisky," the little pawnbroker announced: "three bottles.
My wife said, 'Surely, Elshander, ye'll find whisky where ye're gaun.'
'No doubt I will,' said I, 'but I'm not very confident of its quality;
and it's a far step.' My itinerary, Mr. Dalmahoy, was planned from
Greenock to the Kyles of Bute and back, and thence coastwise to
Saltcoats and the land of Burns. I told her, if she had anything to
communicate, to address her letter to the care of the postmaster,
Ayr--ha, ha!" He broke off and gazed reproachfully into Dalmahoy's
impassive face. "Ayr--air," he explained: "a little play upon words."

"Skye would have been better," suggested Dalmahoy, without moving an
eyelid.

"Skye? Dear me--capital, capital! Only, you see," he urged, "she
wouldn't expect me to be in Skye."

A minute later he drew me aside. "Excellent company your friend is, sir:
most gentlemanly manners; but at times, if I may so say, not very gleg."

My hands by this time were numb with cold. We had bee