"You knew?" said he at last.
The other laughed softly.
"What does it matter?" he replied, "but I thank you for your confidence, and when next you see Muckle John say that Gloom the Gipsy has not forgotten him."
"Are you a friend of Muckle John?"
"I may be counted such, though he has no lack of friends—or enemies."
"But I cannot imperil your people, it is more than is reasonable."
"Rob Fraser," said Gloom very gravely, "you are as good as taken. The soldiers are watching for you on the Highland Line, and from here to Stirling is alive with spies. To-morrow we will carry you through Balquhidder, for if you fell foul of the wild caterans there it would be a short shift for you."
"Balquhidder—I have heard the name...."
He laughed outright at that.
"It's clear ye are north country bred," he said, "there are more thieves Balquhidder way than in Lochaber itself."