f a dozen men."

"Nay," said the Earl, "such suspicion were a poor return for the
Chancellor's putting himself in our hands all the days we spent with
him at his Castle of Crichton. To your lodgings, Sholto, and give God
thanks if there be therein a pretty maid or a dame complaisant,
according to the wont of young squires and men-at-arms."

In this fashion rode the Earl of Douglas to take his first dinner in
the Castle of Edinburgh. And Sholto MacKim went behind him, no man
saying him nay. For his master had eyes only for one face, and that he
could not see.

"But I shall find her yet," he said over and over in his heart. It was
but a boyish heart, and simple, too; but all so brave and high that
the gallantest and greatest gentleman in the world had not one like to
it for loyalty and courage.

CHAPTER XXXIII

THE BLACK BULL'S HEAD

The banqueting-hall of Edinburgh Castle, but lately out of artificers'
hands, was a noble oblong chamber reaching from side to side of the
south-looking keep, begun by James I. It was decorated in the French
manner with oak ceilings and panellings, all bossed and cornered with
massive silver-gilt mouldings.

Save in the ordering of the repast itself there was a marked absence
of ostentation. Only a soldier or two could be seen, mostly on guard
at the outer gates, and Sholto, who till now had been uneasy and
fearful for his master, became gradually more reassured when he saw
with what care every want of the Earl and his brother was attended to,
and if possible even forestalled.

The young King was in jubilant spirits, and could scarcely be
persuaded to let the brothers Douglas remain a moment alone. He was
resolved, he said, to have his bed brought into their chamber that he
might talk to them all night of tourneys and noble deeds of arms.
Never had he met with any whom he loved so much, and on their part the
young Lords of Douglas became boys again, in this atmosphere of frank
and boyish admiration.

It was a state banquet to which they sat down. That is, there was no
hungry crowd of hangers-on clustered below the salt. To each
gentleman was allotted a silver trenchard for his own use, instead of
one betwixt two as was the custom. The service was ordered in the
French manner, and there was manifest through all a quiet observance
and good taste which won upon the Earl of Douglas. Nevertheless, his
eyes still continued to range this way and that through the castle,
scanning