had to leave by the
Dundee train before the departure of the slow Fife train by which his
double travelled. And when this fact emerged--that the other Bailie was
to be left even for five minutes at their disposal--Speug threw
Howieson's bonnet to the end of the compartment, with his own following
in a rapture of joy.

"Dinna be afraid," said the figure in the compartment to the Bailie on
the platform, who was torn between his profitable business engagement at
Dundee and the fear of leaving his brother to his own devices. "After
the way ye've treated me and put me to shame afore the platform, I
wouldna stay another day in Muirtown for a thousand pounds. I am no
angry, Bailie," the figure continued with mournful dignity, "for that's
no my speerit, but I'm hurt at yir conduct. Weel, if ye maun go, ye
maun, and I heard the Dundee engine whistlin'; but for ony sake dinna be
tastin' in Dundee and disgracin' the family. Drink is an awfu' failin',
but ye canna say I havna warned ye." And as the Bailie hurried to catch
the Dundee train the figure shook its head mournfully, with the air of
one who hopes for the best, but who has had too good reason to expect
the worst.

"Bailie," said Speug, presenting himself with a fine mixture of haste
and importance before the figure which was still moralising to itself on
the evils of drink, "div ye no mind that the Rector o' the Seminary is
expectin' ye to address the laddies this afternoon, and they'll be
waitin' this very meenut in the Latin class-room?" and Speug made signs
that he should come at once, and offered to secure a cab. The figure
could only shake its head and explain that on account of the
disgraceful conduct of a relative, who had given way to drink, it had no
heart for public appearances; but the idea of a return to the enjoyment
of Muirtown was evidently filtering in.

"Are ye no Bailie MacConachie?" demanded Speug. "A porter threipit
(insisted) that he had seen the Bailie in the Dundee train, but naebody
can mistake Bailie MacConachie. The school will be terrible pleased to
see ye, Bailie."

"Who said I wasna Bailie MacConachie?" and the figure was plainly
roused. "Him in the Dundee train? Laddies, there's a black sheep in
every family, and that man is a poor, helpless brother o' mine that's
taken to bad habits, and I've juist to support him and keep him oot o'
sicht. It's an awfu' trial," and the figure wept, but immediately
brisked itself up again. "Of course I'm B