“Oh, very well then,” said the king impatiently, “we will stay no further question. Sir David here is a close friend of the king, and a friend of my own, therefore we will return to the castle and get the king’s warrant, which, I trust, will open any door in Stirling.”
The warder seemed nonplussed at this and looked quickly from one to the other; finally he said,—
“Will you allow me a moment to consult with my master?”
“Very well, so that you do not hold us long,” replied the Master of Ballengeich.
“I shall do my errand quickly, for at this moment I am keeping the whole nobility of Scotland waiting.”
The man disappeared, taking, however, the gold with him in a bag. In a short space of time he returned and bowing to the two waiting men he said,—
“My master is anxious to please you, Sir Lyndsay, and will accept the money of your friend.” Whereupon the two placed upon the table five gold pieces each, and the amount was credited opposite their names upon the parchment.
“The figure of a tall man.”