t was subtly done. Respectable
bourgeois, who hated the Bolsheviki but had bought long ago the bonds
of my country, desired to be repaid their debts out of the property of
the Russian crown which might be found in the West. But behind them
were the Jews, and behind the Jews our unsleeping enemies. Once I was
enmeshed in the law I would be safe for them, and presently they would
find the hiding-place of the treasure, and while the bourgeois were
clamouring in the courts it would be safe in their pockets. So I fled.
For months I have been fleeing and hiding. They have tried to kidnap
me many times, and once they have tried to kill me, but I, too, have
become clever--oh, so clever. And I have learned not to fear."

This simple recital affected Dickson's honest soul with the liveliest
indignation. "Sich doings!" he exclaimed, and he could not forbear
from whispering to Heritage an extract from that gentleman's
conversation the first night at Kirkmichael. "We needn't imitate all
their methods, but they've got hold of the right end of the stick.
They seek truth and reality." The reply from the Poet was an angry
shrug.

"Why and how did you come here?" he asked.

"I always meant to come to England, for I thought it the sanest place
in a mad world. Also it is a good country to hide in, for it is apart
from Europe, and your police, as I thought, do not permit evil men to
be their own law. But especially I had a friend, a Scottish gentleman,
whom I knew in the days when we Russians were still a nation. I saw
him again in Italy, and since he was kind and brave I told him some
part of my troubles. He was called Quentin Kennedy, and now he is
dead. He told me that in Scotland he had a lonely chateau, where I
could hide secretly and safely, and against the day when I might be
hard-pressed he gave me a letter to his steward, bidding him welcome me
as a guest when I made application. At that time I did not think I
would need such sanctuary, but a month ago the need became urgent, for
the hunt in France was very close on me. So I sent a message to the
steward as Captain Kennedy told me."

"What is his name?" Heritage asked.

She spelt it, "Monsieur Loudon--L-O-U-D-O-N in the town of
Auchenlochan."

"The factor," said Dickson, "And what then?"

"Some spy must have found me out. I had a letter from this Loudon
bidding me come to Auchenlochan. There I found no steward to receive
me, but another letter saying that t