paid already, Jock dropped him into the lade to
refresh his memory. No one directly inquired what was to be done with
the money, for every one knew it was safe with Jock, and that it would
be well spent by the mighty four who now ruled the school: Jock,
Bauldie, Nestie, and Speug--Dunc Robertson after a brief course at
Sandhurst having got his commission in his father's regiment. And it was
also known that every halfpenny was going to give a big surprise to
Bulldog, so the boys, during those weeks treated their fathers with
obsequious respect for commercial reasons, and coaxed additional pennies
out of their mothers on every false pretence, and paid endearing visits
to maiden aunts, and passed Mrs. McWhae's shop, turning away their eyes
and noses from vanity, and sold to grinding capitalists their tops,
marbles, young rabbits, and kites; and "as sure as death" every Monday
the silent but observant treasurer received for eight weeks 5L 4s., at
the rate of sixpence a head, from 208 boys. They kept their secret like
an oyster, and there was not one informer among the 208; but curiosity
grew hot, and there were many speculations, and it was widely believed
that the money would be used in sending a cane of the most magnificent
proportions to Bulldog, as a remembrance of his teaching days, and a
mark of respect from his pupils. One boy, being left to himself, dared
to suggest this to Speug; and when he looked round at some distance off,
Speug's eye was still upon him, and he declared from his experience that
it was not healthy to question Speug. Two hundred and four boys,
however, with the observant faculties of Indian scouts, and intent upon
discovery could not be altogether baffled, and various bits of reliable
information were passed round the school. That the four had gone one
evening into Bailie MacConachie's, who was now on terms of high
popularity with the school; that the Count who was even then sickening
for his death, and Mr. McGuffie, whom nothing but an accident could
kill, had also been present; that at different times the Count had been
seen examining the gold watches in Gillespie's shop, whose watches were
carried by every man of standing in the Scots Midlands, and pronouncing
his judgment on their appearance with vivacious gestures; that the
Bailie had been seen examining the interior of a watch with awful
solemnity while Councillor Gillespie hung upon his decision; and, to
crown all, that Mr. McGuffie senior,