eshangie in my days, but with the racket all
about us in the city, I could have no doubt as to the man's meaning.

"I do not know, sir, really," said I; "but I suppose some of the
prisoners will have escaped."

"Be damned!" says he.

"O, sir, they will be soon taken," I replied: "it has been found in
time. Good-morning, sir!"

"Ye walk late, sir?" he added.

"O, surely not," said I, with a laugh. "Earlyish, if you like!" which
brought me finally beyond him, highly pleased with my success.

I was now come forth on a good thoroughfare, which led (as well as I
could judge) in my direction. It brought me almost immediately through a
piece of street, whence I could hear close by the springing of a
watchman's rattle, and where I suppose a sixth part of the windows would
be open, and the people, in all sorts of night-gear, talking with a kind
of tragic gusto from one to another. Here, again, I must run the
gauntlet of a half-dozen questions, the rattle all the while sounding
nearer; but as I was not walking inordinately quick, as I spoke like a
gentleman, and the lamps were too dim to show my dress, I carried it off
once more. One person, indeed, inquired where I was off to at that hour.

I replied vaguely and cheerfully, and as I escaped at one end of this
dangerous pass I could see the watchman's lantern entering by the
other. I was now safe on a dark country highway, out of sight of lights
and out of the fear of watchmen. And yet I had not gone above a hundred
yards before a fellow made an ugly rush at me from the roadside. I
avoided him with a leap, and stood on guard, cursing my empty hands,
wondering whether I had to do with an officer or a mere footpad, and
scarce knowing which to wish. My assailant stood a little; in the thick
darkness I could see him bob and sidle as though he were feinting at me
for an advantageous onfall. Then he spoke.

"My goo' frien'," says he, and at the first word I pricked my ears, "my
goo' frien', will you oblishe me with lil neshary information? Whish
roa' t' Cramond?"

I laughed out clear and loud, stepped up to the convivialist, took him
by the shoulders, and faced him about. "My good friend," said I, "I
believe I know what is best for you much better than yourself, and may
God forgive you the fright you have given me! There, get you gone to
Edinburgh!" And I gave a shove, which he obeyed with the passive agility
of a ball, and disappeared incontinently in the darkness down the r