sing when Sir
David put his shoulder to them and forced his way in, followed closely
by his companion. The king and his henchman found themselves in a
small ante-room, furnished only with a bench and a table; on the
latter was a yellow heap of bonnet-pieces of the king's own coinage.
Beside this heap lay a scroll with the requisites for writing. The
money-taker, a gaunt foreigner clad in long robes like a monk, closed
the door and barred it securely, then returned to the table. He
nodded to Sir David, and glanced with some distrust upon his
plaid-covered companion.

"Whom have you brought to us, Sir Lyndsay?" asked the man
suspiciously.

"A friend of mine, the Master of Ballengeich; one who can keep his own
counsel and who wishes to turn an honest penny."

"We admit none except those connected with the court," demurred the
money-taker.

"Well, in a manner, Ballengeich is connected with the court. He
supplies the castle with the products of his farm."

The man shook his head.

"That will not do," he said, "my orders are strict. I dare not admit
him."

"Is not my money as good as another's?" asked Ballengeich, speaking
for the first time.

"No offence is meant to you, sir, as your friend Sir Lyndsay knows,
but I have my orders and dare not exceed them."

"Do you refuse me admittance then?"

"I am compelled to do so, sir, greatly to my regret."

"Is not my surety sufficient?" asked Sir David.

"I am deeply grieved to refuse you, sir, but I cannot disobey my
strict instructions."

"Oh, very well then," said the king impatiently, "we will stay no
further question. Sir David here is a close friend of the king, and a
friend of my own, therefore we will return to the castle and get the
king's warrant, which, I trust, will open any door in Stirling."

The warder seemed nonplussed at this and looked quickly from one to
the other; finally he said,--

"Will you allow me a moment to consult with my master?"

"Very well, so that you do not hold us long," replied the Master of
Ballengeich.

"I shall do my errand quickly, for at this moment I am keeping the
whole nobility of Scotland waiting."

The man disappeared, taking, however, the gold with him in a bag. In a
short space of time he returned and bowing to the two waiting men he
said,--

"My master is anxious to please you, Sir Lyndsay, and will accept the
money of your friend." Whereupon the two placed upon the table five
gold pieces each, and the amount