of shrill Gaelic,
shrugging his shoulders, throwing his arms about, thrilling with
excitement--but for all that, he was the picture of a man that most
women would find irresistible."

"I have heard that he wears the Highland dress."

"Not on the street. They have many entertainments; he may wear it in
some of them; but I think he is too wise to wear it in public. The
Norseman is much indebted to the Scot--but it would not do to flaunt
the feathered cap and philabeg too much--on Kirkwall streets."

"You ought to know."

"Yes, I am Highland Scotch, thank God! I understand this man, though I
have never spoken to him. I know little about the Lowland Scot. He is
a different race, and is quite a different man. You would not like
him, Adam."

"I know him. He is a fine fellow; quiet, cool-blooded, has little to
say, and wastes no strength in emotion. There's wisdom for you--but go
on with thy talk, woman; it hurts me, but I must hear it to the end."

"Well, then, Kenneth McLeod has the appearance of a gentleman, though
he is only a trader."

"Say _smuggler_, Rahal, and you might call him by a truer name."

"Many whisper the same word. Of a smuggler, a large proportion of our
people think no wrong. That you know. He is a kind of hero to some
girls. Many grand parties these McLeods give--music and dancing, and
eating and drinking, and the young officers of the garrison are there,
as well as our own gay young men; and where these temptations are,
young women are sure to go. His aunt is mistress of his house.

"Now, then, this thing happened when Boris was last here. One night he
heard two men talking as they went down the street before him. The
rain was pattering on the flagged walk and he did not well understand
their conversation, but it was altogether of the McLeods and their
entertainments. Suddenly he heard the name of Sunna Vedder. Thrice he
heard it, and he followed the men to the public house, called for
whiskey, sat down at a table near them and pretended to be writing.
But he grew more and more angry as he heard the free and easy talk of
the men; and when again they named Sunna, he put himself into their
conversation and so learned they were going to McLeod's as soon as the
hour was struck for the dance. Boris permitted them to go, laughing
and boastful; an hour afterwards he followed."

"With whom did he go?"

"Alone he went. The dance was then in progress, and men and women were
constantly going in and ou