CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN.

OTHER THINGS BESIDES MURDER "WILL OUT."

Meanwhile Davy Spink, with his heart full, returned slowly to the shore.

He was long of reaching it, the boat being very heavy for one man to pull. On landing he hurried up to his poor little cottage, which was in a very low part of the town, and in a rather out-of-the-way corner of that part.

"Janet," said he, flinging himself into a rickety old armchair that stood by the fireplace, "the press-gang has catched us at last, and they've took Big Swankie away, and, worse than that--"

"Oh!" cried Janet, unable to wait for more, "that's the best news I've heard for mony a day. Ye're sure they have him safe?"

"Ay, sure enough," said Spink dryly; "but ye needna be sae glad aboot it, for. Swankie was aye good to _you_."

"Ay, Davy," cried Janet, putting her arm round her husband's neck, and kissing him, "but he wasna good to _you_. He led ye into evil ways mony a time when ye would rather hae keepit oot o' them. Na, na, Davy, ye needna shake yer heed; I ken'd fine."

"Weel, weel, hae'd yer ain way, lass, but Swankie's awa' to the wars, and so's Ruby Brand, for they've gotten him as weel."

"Ruby Brand!" exclaimed the woman.

"Ay, Ruby Brand; and this is the way they did it."

Here Spink detailed to his helpmate, who sat with folded hands and staring eyes opposite to her husband, all that had happened. When he had concluded, they discussed the subject together. Presently the little girl came bouncing into the room, with rosy cheeks, sparkling eyes, a dirty face, and fair ringlets very much dishevelled, and with a pitcher of hot soup in her hands.

1. What was Davy Spink pulling?
2. Was it difficult for him?
3. Where did he go when he left the boat?
4. Who was there?
5. What did he do when he came into the place?
6. Where was it located?
7. Who caught them?
8. What else did they do?
9. Was she glad to hear this?
10. Was Swankie mean to her?

Numbered answers:
1. boat
2. yes
3. to his poor little cottage
4. Janet
5. fringed himself into a rickety old armchair
6. by the fireplace
7. press-gang
8. took Big Swankie away,
9. yes
10. no