the kirkyard."

"By the way, did you ever hear any more of the thief you were after?"

"That's just the point I am coming to. The man we were after was his
youthful majesty, James the Fifth, of Scotland."

"What, the king!" exclaimed the amazed laird.

"Just him, and no other," replied the cobbler, "and very glad I am
that the ploy miscarried, although I fear it's to come on again."

"I never heard the like of this!"

"You may well say that. You see it is known that the king in disguise
visits a certain house, for what purpose his majesty will be able to
tell you better than I. He goes unattended and secretly, and this
gives us our chance."

"But what in the name of the god of fools whoever he happens to be,
would you do with Jamie once you got him?"

"'Deed there's many things that might be mended in this country, as
you very well know, and the king can mend them if he likes, with a
word. Now rather than have his throat cut, our leader thinks he will
agree to reasonable reform."

"And supposing he doesn't agree, are you going to cut his throat?"

"I don't know what would happen if he proved stubborn. The moderate
section is just for locking him by somewhere until he listens to
wisdom."

"And it is in your mind that my house should become a prison for the
king?"

"It seems to me worth considering."

"There seems to me very little worth considering in the matter. It is
a mad scheme. Supposing the king promised under compulsion, what would
be his first action the moment he returned to Stirling Castle? He
would scour the country for you, and your heads would come off one by
one like buttons from an old coat."

"That's what I said. 'Trust the word of a Stuart,' says I, 'it's pure
nonsense!'"

"Oh I'm not sure but the word of a Stuart is as good as the word of
any other man," replied Ballengeich with a ring of anger in his voice,
at which the cobbler looked up surprised.

"You're not such an enemy of the king as you let on at first,"
commented the mender of shoes. "I doubt if I should have told you all
this."

"Have no fear. I can pledge you that my word is as good as a Stuart's
at least."

"I hope it's a good deal better."

"Your plan is not only useless, but dangerous, my friend. I told you
I would give you my advice, and now you have it. Do you think James is
a lad that you can tie to your bench stool here, lock your door, and
expect to find him when you came back? You must remember that James
h