Похищенный
Chapter 17
”
Thesetwohadnowdrawncloseupandweregazingatme,whilethetwofollowershadhaltedaboutastone-castintherear.
“AndwhatseekyeinAucharn?”saidColinRoyCampbellofGlenure,himtheycalledtheRedFox;forheitwasthatIhadstopped.
“Themanthatlivesthere,”saidI.
“JamesoftheGlens,”saysGlenure,musingly;andthentothelawyer:“Ishegatheringhispeople,thinkye?”
“Anyway,”saysthelawyer,“weshalldobettertobidewhereweare,andletthesoldiersrallyus.”
“Ifyouareconcernedforme,”saidI,“Iamneitherofhispeoplenoryours,butanhonestsubjectofKingGeorge,owingnomanandfearingnoman.”
“Why,verywellsaid,”repliestheFactor.“ButifImaymakesoboldasask,whatdoesthishonestmansofarfromhiscountry?andwhydoeshecomeseekingthebrotherofArdshiel?Ihavepowerhere,Imusttellyou.IamKing’sFactoruponseveraloftheseestates,andhavetwelvefilesofsoldiersatmyback.”
“Ihaveheardawaifwordinthecountry,”saidI,alittlenettled,“thatyouwereahardmantodrive.”
Hestillkeptlookingatme,asifindoubt.
“Well,”saidhe,atlast,“yourtongueisbold;butIamnounfriendtoplainness.IfyehadaskedmethewaytothedoorofJamesStewartonanyotherdaybutthis,IwouldhavesetyerightandbiddenyeGodspeed.Butto-day—eh,Mungo?”Andheturnedagaintolookatthelawyer.
