e words of our Scotch adjuration:

"I swear by Almighty God, as I shall answer to God at the great day
of judgment, that I will tell the truth, the whole truth, and
nothing but the truth. So help me, God!"

When this was done Mr. Duke leaned back in his chair and said:

"Now, Mr. Thomson, if you please."

"You were taken in the cave of Gaulton on Saturday, were you not?"
repeated Mr. Thomson, addressing Tom.

Tom sullenly answered "Yes."

"Now, tell us," the bailie continued, "when you entered that cave
with your father and the crew of the St. Magnus, whom did you find
there?"

Tom had first seen me when I was taken down to the cutter's boat,
and no doubt he had believed that it was I who had guided the
revenue men to the cavern. He, therefore, grasped at the
interpretation implied by the bailie's question, and, whether
intentionally or not, suppressed the fact that he was himself in
the cave before the smugglers arrived, he merely said:

"We didna find anybody in the cave."

"That is strange," said Mr. Thomson. "Then you saw nothing of
Ericson in the cave?"

"Nothing, sir, until I saw him in the Clasper's pinnace."

"Of course we are to understand," observed Bailie Duke, "that
Ericson might hide in the cave without being discovered by the
smugglers. Lieutenant Fox had better be questioned about his manner
of arresting the lad;" and he looked towards the officer.

Mr. Fox bent forward in his chair and said: "I first saw Ericson in
the cave when, as I believe, he saved my life by knocking a pistol
from Carver Kinlay's hand. I believe the lad was in there before
the crew of the St. Magnus."

"Then that is proof sufficient that Ericson was hiding," said Mr.
Thomson with an air of triumph.

"Halcro! come forward, will you?" said Mr. Duke, "and stand beside
Kinlay."

I did as he requested, and then I was required to take the oath as
Kinlay had taken it. Mr. Thomson looked satisfied.

"Tell us, Ericson," said Bailie Duke, taking a pinch of snuff, and
then bending forward with his elbows on the table, "tell us this:
When you bravely, and at the risk of breaking your neck, climbed
down the North Gaulton Cliff to render assistance, as you supposed,
to Thora Kinlay, did you find anyone in the cave?"

"Yes, Mr. Duke," I answered with directness, "I found Tom Kinlay.
He was alone and asleep."

"You descended the cliff without the aid of ropes, I believe?"

"Yes, sir."

"Do you know any other lad in Pomon