Quickly Oberfurst effected the change. Beyond wearing civilian garb he made no attempt to disguise himself.
"Here's my old gear," he said, handing the woman a bundle containing his uniform.
"All right, I'll burn them," she remarked. "Though 'tis a waste of good stuff. Where might you be making for, might I ask?"
"Wick," he replied. "I've got a pal there."
He went out into the night and walked quickly until he approached the spot where the mountain path struck the highway running parallel with the east coast. Here he sat down, and from his pocket produced a razor and a piece of soap. In very short time he had shaved the top of his head and his eyebrows, while in place of his smooth chin he sported a greyish beard that would escape detection except under critical inspection. Then, instead of turning northward—for he had deliberately misinformed Mother Taggach—he set his face to the south and tramped briskly in the direction of far-distant Edinburgh.
CHAPTER IX
AN ADVENTURE ON THE HILLS
"I wish to goodness that sister of mine wouldn't do such erratic things," remarked Eric Greenwood.
"Oh!" rejoined Tressidar, with a veiled attempt at inconsequence. "What has she been up to now?"