"You have a stout gripe," he said, carelessly, and still watching the man narrowly. "I said that." "And your boast was truer than boasts generally are. What is your name?" A The abrupt question was made with a purpose. moment's hesitation would have betrayed the real character of the drover, which his hand had made Cochrane suspect. But he responded on the instant. "Will Craig I'm called, and whiles Muckle Will." "I will remember the name. Do you know whom we are seeking?" (Another trial question, abrupt as before.) "Ye didna say." (Indifferently, and placing the ale mug to his lips.) "The man we are seeking is called Gordon of Lamington." The drover finished his draught, and then, wiping his lips "Ay, I think I hae heard the name afore." "Wha said Lamington ?" was the unexpected inquiry, made in a deep bass. Cochrane wheeled about, and looked at the man who had been sleeping on the settle, and who was now sitting up rubbing his eyes with the sleeve of his jerkin in a slow, stupid way. Cochrane's movement prevented him observing the sudden start of the drover as he observed the face of the lout. "I spoke of Lamington," said Cochrane. seen him?" "Have you The man ceased rubbing his eyes, and looked up at the speaker with an expression of drowsy curiosity. "I dinna ken you, onyway," he answered in his heavy voice," and it's nae business o' yours wha I hae seen." With that he opened his capacious mouth in a long yawn, and when his jaws were stretched to the utmost his eyes lighted on the drover. His mouth closed with a loud snap, and he jumped up, crying "The maister himsel'." The drover thrust him angrily back as the clown sprang to him with an expression of joyous recognition on his broad simple visage. "Ye hae had ower muckle ale, Will," said the drover, 66 addressing the man by the name he had given as his own. Did ye no hear the gentleman saying that here's a brave company of Borderers wha hae raised the Hot Trod against ane Lamington ? The heavy jaw of the sleepy-headed fellow dropped, aud he looked with some bewilderment from the drover to Cochrane. Slowly he seemed to comprehend something, and still in a drowsy way he began to move towards the door. He passed out. Cochrane, whose conduct in the interview with the drover was that of one who suspects, and who is conscious that his suspicions are baffled at every turn, appeared to hesitate for an instant. Then he followed the man. "the "The blundering fool!" muttered the drover, without any of the hoarseness which had disguised his voice; addle-pated knave! I doubt not he has been sleeping there since our arrival, and he shows himself now when escape must be made through a thousand dangers. Katherine!" The lass who had broken the crock, and who during the foregoing scene had busied herself in conjunction with the hostess in the baking, turned to him— "Speak low," she said warningly; "I have heard everything. I fear he suspects you, and that man who was sleeping here seemed to recognize you." "He is my follower, Will Craig-the knave whom I expected to find here with horses." "Cochrane has followed him," was her distressed cry. "He will cajole the secret from him." "Not with his life. The rascal has only one faculty, but that one is fidelity to me. Dolt as he is in other respects, no torture could force from him a word that might injure You might have marked that I gave him warning of our peril the instant I recognized him, and he seemed to understand." me. "But if he be so dull of wit, he may forget." "No; he has a weak head that can only comprehend one thing at a time, but once he does comprehend it he clings to it steadily. He never forgets." Katherine shook her head. "I am not satisfied. Cochrane looked strangely at you as he quitted us. It was rash of you to venture upon speech with him at all. I trembled at every word you uttered more than when my brother seemed about to tear the disguise from me.' "I have had practice in the masques of the Louvre I would what remains were as easily performed. I knew the hazard, and if it succeeded I counted that we were so much the safer." "Whisht ye, whisht!" muttered the hostess, who was standing by the door listening; "there's some ane coming." Katherine instantly resumed the pretence of baking, and Gordon again placed himself under the lantern. The door was pushed open and Hislop appeared. "The toon lads are making sport," he said. "They raised a cry enoo that ye were found, and hae drawn maist o' the folk tae the cross. But it's o' nae use to ye unless ye could rin out; and Guid kens how that's to be managed, for there are twenty men guarding the house. I'm clean at my wits' end how to serve you." Gordon's brows contracted as he bent his head in meditation. Katherine watched him eagerly, and with pulse quickened to pain. Every outlet was guarded, and every hope of escape seemed to be extinguished. The only gleam of light which he could perceive in the darkness that had fallen upon them was the presence of his follower, Muckle Will. But even his presence inspired little confidence in the result which was to follow their efforts! It was impossible for two men to stand against the band of Borderers who supported Cochrane; and unless they could pass them, there was no chance of escape. They might have cut a way through the midst of their foes had they been alone: Gordon had made as bold a hazard before now. But with a woman to conduct in safety such a venture would have been utter madness, even supposing Will had the horses close at hand, which was exceedingly doubtful, seeing that he had neither made himself known to the landlord, as he had been directed, nor had explained why he was there without the equipage. A few seconds sufficed for him to make this disagreeable review of their position. Then raising his head abruptly "Have you seen the fellow who was sleeping here a little while ago ? " 66 Ay, he gaed out to the stable alang wi' the chiel ye had the tulzie wi' up the stair," said the host. "He will betray you," said Katherine in agitation. Lamington took her hands, gazing tenderly in her face. "You will understand the lad some day, Kate; meanwhile, be assured of this, I can trust him with my life, even as I could trust you.' "The Holy Mother grant that your trust be well placed," she said, still doubting. "You will find it so," was his confident reply; and turning to Hislop he continued, "When did the knave arrive?" "About twa hours syne." "Had he no horses with him ?" "He had nothing; he just came in, took a waught o' yull, and laid himself down there like a muckle sumph, and wadna say a word about where he cam' frae, or where he was going to, or anything ava." Gordon's countenance lightened as if with some inspiration, and he hastily counted out ten gold pieces on the table. "Thanks, host, for what you have done," he said, hurriedly; "and here is the reward I promised you doubled. You and your good dame shall hear from me again to your profit for this night's service, if I live." Hislop iterated his readiness to serve so worthy a gentleman and so fair a lady, and wished that he saw them well through their trouble. Katherine grasped her lover's arm, looking anxiously in his eyes as she observed him feel under his plaid for his sword, to make sure that it was ready to his hand. "What are you about to do?" she queried. "To make another venture; we must risk everything to win safe passage to our destination." "But the risk need not be rashly made." courage, Katherine ? " Have you "For your sake I think I have courage to dare anything." "Then for my sake you must bide here for a little while. Should any one attempt to force you hence, blow upon this whistle; that will let me know your danger, and bring Will to your side." And you?? "I must go forth; and if I can but raise a riot among the burgesses we may escape unnoticed in the confusion. That is our only chance; and, by the saints, I think Cochrane himself supplies the means to help us to it. Stay you here, and do not stir till I return.” CHAPTER V. THE COCHRANE PLACKS. "Then whingers flew frae gentles' sides, And red and rosy was the blood Ran doon the lily braes." Katherine Janfarie. He rushed out, making for the door which opened upon the High Street. The sturdy Borderer, Fenwick, who was on guard, arrested him. "You cannot pass, master, whatever your haste may be." "I seek Sir Robert Cochrane," was the response, in a hoarse, disguised voice, and with a manner of breathless haste; "and I must find him." "If that be your errand, pass on. minute ago." He was here a Lamington darted by the guard and speedily joined the crowd of burgesses who were flitting excitedly about the Town House, or standing together in groups, earnestly discussing the events of the night. Many of them carried links or lanterns, and the lights flashing through the darkness, and flickering under the strong wind, which was sweeping up the street, imparted to their disturbed visages a gloomy aspect. Gordon mingled amongst them, and much to his relief overheard dissatisfied murmurs at the untimely disturbance of the town's repose, for apparently so little purpose as the |