"Say a press-gang spy!" flashed Stair. "That will be the truth."
"A press-gang spy, then," said Eben meekly. "I am not boggling about words--"
"And your business to betray your own folk!"
"I always endeavoured to temper justice with mercy," said the man, feeling at his throat with one of his now disengaged hands.
"Come--none of that," said Stair, "at least, have the courage of your rascality. I shall like you none the worse. Where have you been all this time?"
"Well," said the man, "that's telling. But I know you, Stair Garland, and I have confidence in the man I am talking to--"
"If you abuse that confidence you are good enough to profess in me," said Stair with biting irony, "I beg you to remember that it will be at a price!"
"I know--I know, sir," the man from Stonykirk moaned, "I should not dream of deceiving you."
"Better not," said Stair, "you are on our side, you say. Take care and do not forget again, or the next time you will not be missed. I shall go spy-hunting myself."
"I swear to you--" he began, gasping at the thought.
"Do not swear--I would not believe you if you swore on a pile of Bibles as high as Criffel!"
"But you would believe my uncle Kennedy on his bare word--"
"What uncle?" queried Stair, sharply. "D'ye mean Kennedy McClure of Supsorrow?"
"The same, sir--you would believe him if he spoke a good word for me?"
Stair paused a moment before answering. The Laird of Supsorrow had lent his horses for the carrying off of Patsy, but it was quite certain that had he known the risks, or the purpose for which they were to be used, he would have done nothing of the kind. He was too deep in the traffic, and had used his money to finance too many cargoes.
"Yes," he answered at last, "I would take your uncle's word, if he says that he will go bail that you mean to be faithful to us. But how can I get that word--Kennedy McClure is in London."
"I know that," said the spy, "but I have been abiding all the winter at Supsorrow with my uncle. He gave me shelter and aid when my life was in danger on every side, when I was hunted like a partridge on the mountains--"
"You would make an excellent preacher, Eben, and I dare say you are telling the truth for once. If you have been with us--"