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XIV. The Counterblast
Onthe26thdayofthemonthofSeptemberinthisyearofgracetherewasfoundintheappurtenancesofthemanseofWoodilee--towit,inthebaulksofthestableatweenthethatchandthewall--abundleofgarments,includingalacedcoatsuchasiswornbymalignants,andsundryotherhabilimentsstrangetothecountryside,butwellkennedinthearrayofcateranswhereofMontrosewasthelateleader.Itisargued,therefore,thatshelterwasgiveninthemansetoafugitive,andthataministeroftheKirkconnivedattheescapefromjusticeofoneoftheKirk’soppressors.Whatsayyoutothat,sir?"
"Isaythatitistrue."
Davidwasnotpreparedfortheconsternationintheother’sface.Mr.Muirheadsaterectinhischair,hisheadwaspokedforwardfrombetweenhisshoulderslikethatofatortoisefromitsshell,coloursurgedovercheeksandforeheadandhisbaldcrown,andhisvoice,whenhefoundutterance,wasofanunnaturalsmallness.Hiscarefulspeechbrokedownintocountrydialect.
"Yeadmitit!Godpeetyyou,yedonotblenchtoadmitthisawfulsin!Haveyenoshame,man,thatyesittheresnugandcantyandconfesstoatreasonagainstChristandHisKirk?"
Therewasmoreintheman’sfacethanangerandincreduloushorror;therewaspity,regret,asenseofanunspeakablesacrilegedonetoallthatheheldmostdear.DavidsawthattheministerofKirkAller,thoughhemighthavelittleloveforhimself,wouldhavegivenmuchhadthisconfessionbeenunsaid--thathefeltthatshamehadbeencastuponhiscallingandevenuponhisownself-respect.