The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-01-15

and it cannot wait" said I. "You NAV
say it is by no means private, and l shall
be even glad to have some witnesses"
AS the man departed unwillingly enough
upon this errand, we made so bold as to
follow him to the ante-chamber, whence I
could hear for a while the murmuring of
several voices in the room within. The
truth is, they were three at the one table
Prestongrange. Symon Fraser and Mr..
Ersklne, sheriff of Perth; and as they
were met in consultation on the very bust
ness Of the Appin murder, they were q
little disturbed at my appearance, but de-
cided to receive me.
"Well, well, Mr.. Balfour, and what
brings you here again. and who is this
you bring with your" says Prestongrange.
As for Fraser, he looked before him on
the table.
"He is here to bear little testimony in
my favor. my lord, which I think it very
needful you should hear" said I, and
turned to Duncansby.
II have only to say this" said the lieu
tenant. that l stood up this day with
Palfour in the Hunters Pog, which am
how fiery sorry for, and he behaved him
self as pretty as shentlemans could ask
1t. and have Great respects for Paifour,"
he added.
81 thank you for your honest expires.
slons." said [.
Whereupon Duncansby made his bow to
the company and left the chamber, as We
had agreed upon before.
"W hat have l to do with this ?" saws
Prestongrange.
Il will tell your lordship in two words"
said l.
Il have brought this gentleman, kings
officer, to do me so much justice. Now, 7
think my character is covered. and until
certain date, which your lordship can
very well supply, it will be quite in vain
GlSDatch off
will not consent To tight my way through
the garrison of the castle"
The veins Swelied on Prestongrange's
brow, and he regarded me with fury.
81 think the devil uncoupled this dog of
lad between my legsi' he cried; and
then. turning tiercely on his neighbor
This IS some OF your work, Symon," he
said. Il spy your hand in the business.
and. let me tell you, | resent it, 1t is dis.
loyal, when we are agreed upon one expe-
dent, to follow another in the dark. You
are disloyal to me. What! you make me
send this lad 10 the place with my very
daughtersl Fly, sir. keep your dishonors
to yourseltp'
Symon was deadly pale. Il will be a
kck-bull between you and the duke no
longer" he exclaimed. Either come To
an agreement, or come to differ and have
II out among yourselves. But | Will no
longer fetch and carry. and get YOUR con-
n.
For II were 70 tell you what | think of
ali your Hanover business it would make
your head sing"
But Sheriff Erskine had preserved his
temper. and now lnteryened smoothly.
And In the meantime. says he, II think
We should tell M. Baltour that his char
acter tor valor IS quite established. He
may sleep in peace. Until the date he
was so good as 10 refer to 1t shall be mt
10 the proof no more"
HIS GOODNESS brought the Others TO their
prudence, and they made haste. with a
some what distracted civiIity, TO pack me
from the house.
CHAPTER lX.-THE HEATHER on FIRE.
When | left Prestongrange that after
noon was for the trst time angry. The
advocate had made a mock OF me- He had
pretended my testimony was TO be re-
ceived and myself respected; and in that
very house not only was Symon practis-
ing against my life by the hands of the
Highland solder. but (as appeared from
his own language) Presiongrange himself
had some design in operation. counted
my enemies: Prestongrange with all the
kings authority behind him. and the
duke with the power OF the West High
Lands, and the Lovat interest by their side
20 help them with so great force in the
north, and the whole clan of old Jacobite
spies and trath ;kers; and when | remern-
bered James More and the red head of
Neil, the son OF Duncan, l thought there
vas perhaps fourth in the confederacy.
anu WA, remained of Rob Roy's old des-
perate sept of caterans would be banded
against me with the others. Ye, there
was that force in my innocency that this
league Was driven to attempt my destruc-