After a profound reverence, he said, "May it please your Majesty, I have something for your private ear."
"Aweel, then," replied James, "approach us mair closely. What hae ye got to say, sir? Aught mair anent these witches?"
"A great deal, sire," said Potts, in an impressive tone. "Something dreadful has happened—something terrible."
"Eh! what?" exclaimed James, looking alarmed. "What is it, man? Speak!"
"Murder? sire,—murder has been done," said Potts, in low thrilling accents.
"Murder!" exclaimed James, horror-stricken. "Tell us a' about it, and without more ado."
But Potts was still circumspect. With an air of deepest mystery, he approached his head as near as he dared to that of the monarch, and whispered in his ear.
"Can this be true?" cried James. "If sae—it's very shocking—very sad."
"It is too true, as your Majesty will find on investigation," replied Potts. "The little girl I told you of, Jennet Device, saw it done."
"Weel, weel, there is nae accounting for human frailty and wickedness," said James. "Let a' necessary steps be taken at once. We will consider what to do. But—d'ye hear, sir?—dinna let the bairn Jennet go. Haud her fast. D'ye mind that? Now go, and cause the guilty party to be put under arrest."