stable, but had never spoken to him. Giving the
nurse a sovereign, and Mr Soutar’s address,
he requested her to let that gentleman know as soon
as it was possible to conjecture the time of his leaving.
Returning, he gave Merton a hint to keep his eye on
the man, and some money to spend for him as he judged
best. He then took Kelpie for an airing.
To his surprise she fatigued him so much that when
he had put her up again he was glad to go and lie down.
When it came near the time for meeting Rose and Davy,
he got his things together in the old carpetbag, which
held all he cared for, and carried it with him.
As he drew near the spot, he saw Davy already there,
keeping a sharp look out on all sides. Presently
Rose appeared, but drew back when she saw Davy.
Malcolm went to her.
“Rose,” he said, “I am going to
ask you to do me a great favour. But you cannot
except you are able to trust me.”
“I do trust you,” she answered.
“All I can tell you now is that you must go
with that boy tomorrow. Before night you shall
know more. Will you do it?”
“I will,” answered Rose. “I
dearly love a secret.”
“I promise to let you understand it, if you
do just as I tell you.”
“I will.”
“Be at this very spot then tomorrow morning,
at six o’clock. Come here, Davy. This
boy will take you where I shall tell him.”
She looked from the one to the other.
“I’ll risk it,” she said.
“Put on a clean frock, and take a change of
linen with you and your dressing things. No harm
shall come to you.”
“I’m not afraid,” she answered,
but looked as if she would cry.
“Of course you will not tell anyone.”
“I will not, Mr MacPhail.”
“You are trusting me a great deal, Rose; but
I am trusting you too —more than you think.—Be
off with that bag, Davy, and be here at six tomorrow
morning, to carry this young woman’s for her.”
Davy vanished.
“Now, Rose,” continued Malcolm, “you
had better go and make your preparations.”
“Is that all, sir?” she said.
“Yes. I shall see you tomorrow. Be
brave.”
Something in Malcolm’s tone and manner seemed
to work strangely on the girl. She gazed up at
him half frightened, but submissive, and went at once,
looking, however, sadly disappointed.
Malcolm had intended to go and tell Mr Graham of his
plans that same night, but he found himself too much
exhausted to walk to Camden Town. And thinking
over it, he saw that it might be as well if he took
the bold measure he contemplated without revealing
it to his friend, to whom the knowledge might be the
cause of inconvenience. He therefore went home
and to bed, that he might be strong for the next day.
