thou be going to give a 'large sum
of money' to, in Kirkwall town? I wouldn't wonder if the party isn't
my own brother, Captain Conall Ragnor?"

"No, Mistress," the young man replied. "It belongs to a young
gentleman called McLeod."

"Humph! A trading man is whiles very little of a gentleman. What do
you think of McLeod?"

"I am the manager of his Edinburgh business, so I cannot discuss his
personality."

"That's right, laddie! Folks seldom see any good thing in their
employer; and it is quite fair for them to be just as blind to any bad
thing in him--but I'll tell you frankly that your employer has not a
first rate reputation here."

"All right, Mistress Brodie! His reputation is not in my charge--only
his money. I do not think the quality of his reputation can hurt
mine."

"Your father's reputation will stand bail for yours. Well now, run
away and get business off your mind, and be back here for one o'clock
dinner. I will not wait a minute after the clock chaps one. This
afternoon I am going to my brother's house, and I sent him a message
which asks for permission to bring you with me."

"Thanks!" but he said the word in an unthankful tone, and then he
looked into Mistress Brodie's face, and she laughed and imitated his
expression, as she assured him "she had no girl with matrimonial
intentions in view."

"You see, Mistress," he said, "I do not intend to remain longer than a
week. Why should I run into danger? I am ready to take heartaches. Can
you tell me how best to find McLeod's warehouse?"

"Speir at any man you meet, and any man will show you the place. I,
myself, am not carin' to send folk an ill road."

So Ian Macrae went into the town and easily found his friend and
employer. Then their business was easily settled and it appeared to be
every way gratifying to both men.

"You have taken a business I hate off my hands, Ian," said McLeod,
"and I am grateful to you. Where shall we go today? What would you
like to do with yourself?"

"Why, Kenneth, I would like first of all to see the inside of your
grand cathedral. I would say, it must be very ancient."

"Began in A. D., 1138. Is that old?"

"Seven hundred years! That will do for age. They were good builders
then. I have a strange love for these old shrines where multitudes
have prayed for centuries. They are full of _Presence_ to me."

"_Presence._ What do you mean?"

"Souls."

"You are a creepy kind of mortal. I think, Ian, if you were n