'Right; so that we can't differ on the main point. Does Mr. Dundas say anything in his letter about the real parentage of Alan ?'

'Nothing.'

'No matter; he has in him the mettle of a man, whatever his origin may be,' said his lordship, rising; 'but I feel more interested than ever in the lad. How old is he?'

'Near twenty, I think.'

6

Ah! Well, don't forget, if he comes, to keep him at home; and you need not tell Mr. Dundas a fiction about my being here. If you can trust him, you may hint the cause. By the way,' he added, as he held Miss Walkingshaw by the hand, a fancy seizes me. If Alan should by good fortune come to marry Christine, I claim the privilege of giving the bride a marriage gift. Now, mind, that's settled.' 'You are kind, my lord.'

'No more than duty. Don't be surprised if I call again. I am in love with Christine myself; and did she not call me father? Farewell. How strange that you and I should meet in this way!"

6

Strange, indeed,' thought Miss Walkingshaw, after Lord Carmyle had disappeared; but why should she shed tears over the thought? and why should she say to herself, I hope we shall yet meet under happier auspices'?

CHAPTER XVI.

THE LORD AND THE TWISTER.

As Lord Carmyle, some time after leaving the mansion of Cockmylane, rode home along the Gallowgate, his eye caught a figure on the north pavement, nodding and pulling its forelock. When he felt sure that it was to himself that the figure was making these courteous demonstrations, his lordship pulled up, and at length recognised Pate Fox. A thought struck him, as he beckoned Pate to approach. 'Have you got all the webs in the Calton twisted, that you stand there committing suicide ?'

'Suicide, my lord ?'

'Certainly; for what says the poet? "Time misspent is suicide, where more than blood is spilt." "

'But what does a greater poet say? "He also serves who only stands and waits." That's what I'm doin'-just waitin' the word o' command.'

Then you'll twist a web for me?'

'That will I; but, gudesake, hae ye turned manufacturer ?'

'Not exactly. I wish rather to be an unmanufacturer. Come close and listen. Do you remember your companion in a certain feat-Alan Dalziel ?'

'Fine.'

'Do you like him sufficiently to do him a good turn without being asked, if you saw how?'

'Ay, my lord, I can say that wi' a conscience. Alan's a chiel after my ain heart, a'though he has ae big faut.'

6

'Say you so? What is it?'

'He's not only a politician, but a Radical.'

'Are you not a Radical yourself?'

'Na-I wasna born to be a martyr.'

Then what are you?'

Only a man.'

'Only a man! I wish that all the animals who walk on two legs and gabble politics were so much! But listen again. Do you like me sufficiently to do me a service, and to hear what I may hint, without publishing it at the Cross?'

'I'll gang to Banff for ye, my lord, on my bare feet; and what's mair, I can be as deep as the sea. Try me and trust me.'

'I will do both; attend. The father of young Dalziel has just died at Millheugh, where he is himself. He may visit Glasgow to-night. Now mark: if he does, I want you to do what you can to prevent him from attending a Radical meeting, which takes place at eight o'clock. Do you catch the full meaning of this hint ?'

Ay, ay; and it agrees wi' my ain suspicions and dreams. I hear the sough o' a rising storm.'

'So do I; and I want to save our young friend from getting drenched to the skin. I have made. arrangements at Cockmylane to secure him against catching cold; but if they should fail in that quarter, you may succeed. Watch well where you may expect to see him; and if there is any chance of his going to the meeting before going home to Anderston, just ask him if he knows that Christine Dundas is dying. Of course she is only dying to see him; but you needn't put it in that way to him; only reserve that shot for the last.'

'A' richt, my lord, I see the hale ploy; and it'll be gay funny if I dinna send the young birkie hame to the death-bed o' his bonny lass wi' a' his legs.'

'Now,' said his lordship, smiling, go into Saddler Gray's shop there, and fetch me out a bundle of fine riding-switches till I select one. That will put possible observers off the scent a bit.'

Pate returned in a minute with the articles in question; and when the rider had picked one to his fancy, he opened his purse and took out a coin, saying,

'Do you see this, Pate ?'

'A bonny gowd guinea!'

'Yes; that's for yourself; and if you keep it for a time, not less than a year, I will add other three to it, and make it four.'

'That's a gay hard condition, my lord, to a man like me; but I'll try.'

'Do so. Now take the rest of these switches back to the saddler, pay him, and keep the rest of that crown to yourself. But harkye, beware of the gill-stoup! Take a lord's advice for once.'

'The Lord be thankit, I'm no aboon takin' that.' 'Good-day, then,' said his lordship, who added significantly, I think there's going to be a storm.'

'So I see,' answered Pate slyly, and lifting his hand respectfully to his cap; but I'll keep the fechtin' cock out o' the rain.'

Lord Carmyle then cantered away, while Pate Fox went into Saddler Gray's shop.

CHAPTER XVII.

PATE FOX'S MONOLOGUE.

FAITHFUL to his promise, Pate Fox was hovering about the Cross in the evening. This was the spot where he could best intercept Dalziel, supposing the latter came into the city.

It occurred to the twister, besides, that if he encountered Campbell and Makane, he might venture to try his skill in dissuading them from attending