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Chapter 18
BalfourofShaws,asonefriendtoanother,”saidAlan,“thatifIweregoingtokillagentleman,itwouldnotbeinmyowncountry,tobringtroubleonmyclan;andIwouldnotgowantingswordandgun,andwithalongfishing-roduponmyback.”
“Well,”saidI,“that’strue!”
“Andnow,”continuedAlan,takingouthisdirkandlayinghishanduponitinacertainmanner,“IswearupontheHolyIronIhadneitherartnorpart,actnorthoughtinit.”
“IthankGodforthat!”criedI,andofferedhimmyhand.
Hedidnotappeartoseeit.
“AndhereisagreatdealofworkaboutaCampbell!”saidhe.“Theyarenotsoscarce,thatIken!”
“Atleast,”saidI,“youcannotjustlyblameme,foryouknowverywellwhatyoutoldmeinthebrig.Butthetemptationandtheactaredifferent,IthankGodagainforthat.Wemayallbetempted;buttotakealifeincoldblood,Alan!”AndIcouldsaynomoreforthemoment.“Anddoyouknowwhodidit?”Iadded.“Doyouknowthatmanintheblackcoat?”
“Ihavenaeclearmindabouthiscoat,”saidAlancunningly,“butitsticksinmyheadthatitwasblue.”
“Blueorblack,didyeknowhim?”saidI.
“Icouldnaejustconscientiouslysweartohim,”saysAlan.“Hegaedveryclosebyme,tobesure,butit’sastrangethingthatIshouldjusthavebeentyingmybrogues.”
“Canyouswearthatyoudon’tknowhim,Alan?”Icried,halfangered,halfinamindtolaughathisevasions.
“Notyet,”sayshe;“butI’veagrandmemoryforforgetting,David.
