THE WOOD BY SILVERMILLS I lost no time, but down through the valley and by Stockbrig and Silvermills as hard as I could stave.

It was Alan's tryst to lie every night between twelve and two "in a bit scrog of wood by east of Silvermills and by south the south mill-lade." This I found easy enough, where it grew on a steep brae, with the mill-lade flowing swift and deep along the foot of it; and here I began to walk slower and to reflect more reasonably on my employment.

I saw I had made but a fool's bargain with Catriona.

It was not to be supposed that Neil was sent alone upon his errand, but perhaps he was the only man belonging to James More; in which case, I should have done all I could to hang Catriona's father, and nothing the least material to help myself.

To tell the truth, I fancied neither one of these ideas.