"Hast thou not heard the rumour?"
"Of what?"
"That the Earl of Ashkirk is among us here, in the good town of Edinburgh."
"Twenty devils! dost thou say so?"
"'Tis a fact—on some treasonable mission from English Henry—at least, so sayeth my lord advocate."
Roland's blood ran alternately hot and cold.
"This demon advocate hears of everything!" said he to the earl, as they passed along the corridor. "My God! lord earl, if discovered——"
"Thou canst save me, perhaps," said the earl, who was himself a little alarmed.
"If not?"
"I can die then, with my sword in my hand," replied the earl, through his teeth. "But art thou not rich in the favour of this holiday king?"