my estate. »So, sir, you have now
the whole train of these events,« I went on, »and can see for yourself how I
come to be so much mingled up with the affairs of your family and friends, which
(for all of our sakes) I wish had been plainer and less bloody. You can see for
yourself, too, that I have certain pieces of business depending, which were
scarcely fit to lay before a lawyer chosen at random. No more remains, but to
ask if you will undertake my service?«
    »I have no great mind to it; but coming as you do with Alan's button, the
choice is scarcely left me,« said he. »What are your instructions?« he added,
and took up his pen.
    »The first point is to smuggle Alan forth of this country,« said I, »but I
need not be repeating that.«
    »I am little likely to forget it,« said Stewart.
    »The next thing is the bit money I am owing to Cluny,« I went on. »It would
be ill for me to find a conveyance, but that should be no stick to you. It was
two pounds five shillings and three-halfpence farthing sterling.«
    He noted it.
    »Then,« said I, »there's a Mr. Henderland, a licensed preacher and
missionary in Ardgour, that I would like well to get some snuff into the hands
of; and as I daresay you keep touch with your friends in Appin (so near by),
it's a job you could doubtless overtake with the other.«
    »How much snuff are we to say?« he asked.
    »I was thinking of two pounds,« said I.
    »Two,« said he.
    »Then there's the lass Alison Hastie, in Limekilns,« said I. »Her that
helped Alan and me across the Forth. I was thinking if I could get her a good
Sunday gown, such as she could wear with decency in her degree, it would be an
ease to my conscience; for the mere truth is, we owe her our two lives.«
    »I am glad to see you are thrifty, Mr. Balfour,« says he, making his notes.
    »I would think shame to be otherwise the first day of my fortune,« said I.
»And now, if you will compute the outlay and your own proper charges, I would be
glad to know if I could get some spending