r," said the shoemaker with a sigh of
relief.

"Very well, then, I will meet you here on Wednesday night at this
time, and learn whether or no they agree to have me as one of their
number. If they refuse, there's no harm done; I shall say nothing, and
the king will know no more about the matter than he does now."

"I could not ask better assurance than that," said the host cordially
as his guest rose.

They shook hands, and the guidman of Ballengeich, after peering out
into the darkness to see that the way was clear, took his leave.

The laird was prompt in keeping his appointment on the following
Wednesday, and learned that the conspirators were glad of his
assistance. The cobbler's tool-box had been pushed out of the way,
and a makeshift table, composed of three boards and two trestles,
occupied the centre of the room. A bench made up in similar fashion
ran along the back wall, and there were besides, half a dozen stools.
A hospitable pitcher of strong drink stood on the rude table, with a
few small measures, cups and horns.

As if the weight of conspiracy had lain heavy on his shoulders, the
young Laird of Ballengeich seemed older than he had ever looked
before. Lines of care marked his brow, and his distraught manner
proclaimed the plot-monger new to a dangerous business. The lights,
however, were dim, and Ballengeich doubted if any there present would
recognise him should they meet him in broad day, and this, in a
measure, was comforting. The cobbler sat very quiet on his accustomed
bench, the others occupying the stools and the board along the wall.

"We have been told," began the leader, who filled the chair at the
head of the table, where he had administered the oath with much
solemnity to their new member, "we have been told that you own a house
which you will place at our disposal should the purpose for which we
are gathered here together, succeed."

"I have such a house," said the laird, "and it is of course, placed
freely at your service. But the plan you propose is so full of danger
that I wondered if you have given the project the deep consideration
it deserves. It will be a hazardous undertaking to get the king safely
into my house, but let us suppose that done. How are you going to keep
him there?"

"We will set a guard over him."

"Very good. Which of you are to be the guardsmen, and how many?"

The conspirators looked one at another, but none replied. At last the
leader said,--

"It will