great responsibility for a young man; yon's a big property to
look after," observed Mr. Gallosh in a moment.

"You have touched the spot!" said the Count warmly. "That is, in
fact, the chief cause of Tulliwuddle's curious moodiness ever since
he succeeded to the title. He feels his responsibilities a little too
acutely."

Again Mr. Gallosh ruminated, while his guest from the corner of his eye
surveyed him shrewdly.

"My forecast was wonderfully accurate," he said to himself.

The silence was first broken by Mr. Gallosh. As if thinking aloud, he
remarked--

"I was awful surprised to hear him speak! It's the Court fashion, you
say?"

"Partly that; partly a prolonged residence on the Continent in his
youth. He acquired his accent then; he has retained it for fashion's
sake," explained the Count, who thought it as well to bolster up the
weakest part of his case a little more securely.

With this prudent purpose, he added, with a flattering air of taking his
host into his aristocratic confidence--

"You will perhaps be good enough to explain this to the friends and
dependants Lord Tulliwuddle is about to meet? A breath of unsympathetic
criticism would grieve him greatly if it came to his ears."

"Quite, quite," said Mr. Gallosh eagerly. "I'll make it all right. I
understand the sentiment pairfectly. It's verra natural--verra natural
indeed."

At that moment the Baron started from his reverie with an affrighted
air.

"Vat is zat strange sound!" he exclaimed.

The others listened.

"That's just the pipes, my lord," said Mr. Gallosh. "They're tuning up
to welcome you."

His lordship stared at the shore ahead of them.

"Zere are many peoples on ze coast!" he cried. "Vat makes it for?"

"They've come to receive you," his host explained. "It's just a little
spontaneous demonstration, my lord."

His lordship's composure in no way increased.

"It was Mrs. Gallosh organized a wee bit entertainment on his lordship's
landing," their host explained confidentially to the Count. "It's just
informal, ye understand. She's been instructing some of the tenants--and
ma own girls will be there--but, oh, it's nothing to speak of. If he
says a few words in reply, that'll be all they'll be expecting."

The strains of "Tulliwuddle wha hae" grew ever louder and, to an
untrained ear, more terrific. In a moment they were mingled with a
clapping of hands and a Highland cheer, the launch glided alongside the
pier, and, supporte