eneral
feeling of dissatisfaction along the border. Reprisals might be made by
the Armstrongs and their friends, and in any case, there would be such
widespread reprobation excited, as William Baird, reckless as he was,
could hardly afford to despise.

Therefore, when Roger's request was brought to him, he said at once:

"Take him up to Father Kenelm. Tell him to look after the monk's
comfort. This evening he can bring him down to the hall, and I will
question him as to his journey."

Roger followed the man through the courtyard. He paid, apparently, no
attention to what was going on there, but a quick glance enabled him to
perceive that the hold was full of men. He followed his guide up a
winding stair, to a turret on the wall, the lower story of which was
inhabited by the priest.

The soldier knocked at the door, and on its being opened by the priest,
he gave Baird's message to him. He was a tall man, spare and bony. He
himself was a Baird, and report said that, in his youth, he had ridden
on many a foray in England. But fighting men were common in the family,
and it had been thought well that one should enter the church, as it
was always good to have a friend who could represent them there and,
should any complaint be made, explain matters, and show that the family
were in no wise to blame. And moreover, as it was necessary to have a
priest at the chief fortalice of the family, it was best that it should
be one who would not be too strict in his penances, and could be
conveniently silent as to the doings within its walls.

The priest had accepted the role not unwillingly. He was an ambitious
man, and saw that, as one of the fighting Bairds, there was but small
opportunity of rising to aught beyond the command of one of the holds.
Douglas regarded them with no friendly eye, for their breaches of the
truces brought upon him constant complaints from the English wardens,
who might, some day or other, lead a force to punish the family, which
had been one of the few exempted from the general pardon, at the last
truce. As a priest he would have better opportunities, for the Bairds
had much influence along the border; and might, some day or other,
exert it in his favour.

So far, no such opportunity had occurred. It had been a disappointment
to him that Henry, in his last invasion, had kept along the eastern
coast; and he hoped that the war, which assuredly would, ere long,
break out violently, would give him the chan