ed for a
Scotchman."

"We have a Spanish strain in our blood," said I, wondering at his
recurrence to the topic.

"That would, of course, account for it," he remarked. "My dear," to his
wife, "allow me to introduce Mr. Fothergill West to you. This is my son
and my daughter. We have come here in search of rest, Mr. West--complete
rest."

"And you could not possibly have come to a better place," said I.

"Oh, you think so?" he answered. "I suppose it is very quiet indeed, and
very lonely. You might walk through these country lanes at night, I dare
say, and never meet a soul, eh?"

"Well, there are not many about after dark," I said.

"And you are not much troubled with vagrants or wandering beggars, eh?
Not many tinkers or tramps or rascally gipsies--no vermin of that sort
about?"

"I find it rather cold," said Mrs. Heatherstone, drawing her thick
sealskin mantle tighter round her figure. "We are detaining Mr. West,
too."

"So we are, my dear, so we are. Drive on, coachman. Good-day, Mr. West."

The carriage rattled away towards the Hall, and I trotted thoughtfully
onwards to the little country metropolis.

As I passed up the High Street, Mr. McNeil ran out from his office and
beckoned to me to stop.

"Our new tenants have gone out," he said. "They drove over this
morning."

"I met them on the way," I answered.

As I looked down at the little factor, I could see that his face was
flushed and that he bore every appearance of having had an extra glass.

"Give me a real gentleman to do business with," he said, with a burst of
laughter. "They understand me and I understand them. 'What shall I fill
it up for?' says the general, taking a blank cheque out o' his pouch and
laying it on the table. 'Two hundred,' says I, leaving a bit o' a margin
for my own time and trouble."

"I thought that the landlord had paid you for that," I remarked.

"Aye, aye, but it's well to have a bit margin. He filled it up and threw
it over to me as if it had been an auld postage stamp. That's the way
business should be done between honest men--though it wouldna do if one
was inclined to take an advantage. Will ye not come in, Mr. West, and
have a taste of my whisky?"

"No, thank you," said I, "I have business to do."

"Well, well, business is the chief thing. It's well not to drink in the
morning, too. For my own part, except a drop before breakfast to give
me an appetite, and maybe a glass, or even twa, afterwards to promote