'This fellow is all right.' They asked one last question.
'Did you see anyone pass early this morning?
He might be on a bicycle or he might be on foot.' I very nearly fell into the trap and told a story of a bicyclist hurrying past in the grey dawn.

But I had the sense to see my danger.
I pretended to consider very deeply.
'I wasna up very early,' I said.

'Ye see, my dochter was merrit last nicht, and we keepit it up late.

I opened the house door about seeven and there was naebody on the road then.

Since I cam' up here there has just been the baker and the Ruchill herd, besides you gentlemen.' One of them gave me a cigar, which I smelt gingerly and stuck in Turnbull's bundle.