CHAPTER XV.
EVIL TIDINGS.
'I'm glad to see you back, Miss Cheyne,' said Archie, as she met him in the passage or entrance-hall; 'Sir Ranald has missed you sairly.'
'Missed me? I left him asleep, Archie,' exclaimed Alison.
'Something wakened him wi' a start, just as ye gaed into the garden.'
'Something—what?'
'A sound, I watna what,' replied Archie, unwillingly, smoothing his silver hair with his hand, and looking round him stealthily.
'What sound? I heard nothing in the garden.'
'Weel, something like the baying o' a hound.'
'A hound!' said Alison, faintly.
'I dinna quite say sae; but say naething to Sir Ranald aboot it. Gang to him at aince; he's got some unco news, I fear, by the evening post.'