“Na, sir. He keeps over close to his room. If they came to see Queen Mary’s prison they ha’ not yet accomplisht it.”
“It is not likely Americans would take so much trouble to get a look at Queen Mary’s prison, madam. It must be they are here for some other purpose.”
“Then what it can be heaven knows! Once I said to the lassie that her brother were fra too pale, an’ I thought a wee bit o’ whisky might be guide fa him; but she went white an’ trembly an’ begged me na to gi’ him one drop o’ it. She made me promise if he came and asked for it I wud say there was naething o’ th’ kind i’ th’ house. I ken she is feared to ha’ him drink it.”
The stranger smiled a little, and there seemed something a trifle sinister about his face in that moment.
“It is a man poor in command of himself that cannot drink when he likes and leave it alone when he chooses,” he declared.
“Many a guide man canna do it.”
“Well, I don’t understand them. What is the name of this unfortunate man, if you don’t mind telling?”
“It is Budthorne.”
“Rather odd name.”
“But I ha’ na asked your name, sir. You are na English yoursel’?”