On your head be it, if you are playing with Sholto MacKim!" So saying the captain of the guard strode within.

He had already acquired the carriage and consequence of a veteran old in the wars.
His master was still pacing up and down the courtyard, deep in meditation.

Sholto saluted the young Earl and asked permission to speak a word with him.
"Speak on, Sholto--well do you know that at all times you may say what you will to me." "But this I desire to keep from prying eyes.

My lord, there is a letter in my wallet which was given me even now by a gaberlunzie man.
He declares that it concerns your life.

I pray you take out my hone stone as if to look at it, and with it the letter." The Earl nodded, as if Sholto had been making a report to him.