The Egyptian 39

man till I was appointed. And what’s the use o’
their haeing a policeman when they winna come
to the lock-up after I lay hands on them?”

“Do they say they won’t come?”

“Say? Catch them saying onything! They
just gie me a wap into the gutters. If they would
speak I wouldna complain, for I’m nat’rally the
sociablest man in Thrums.”

“ Rob, however, had spoken to you.”

“‘ Because he had need o’ me. That was aye
Rob’s way, converted or no converted. When
he was blind drunk he would order me to see
him safe hame, but would he crack wi’? me?
Na, na.”

Wearyworld, who was so called because of his
forlorn way of muttering, “It’s a weary warld,
and nobody bides in’t,” as he went his melan-
choly rounds, sighed like one about to cry, and
Gavin changed the subject.

‘Is the watch for the soldiers still kept up?”
he asked.

“Tt is, but the watchers winna let me in aside
them. I?ll let you see that for yoursel’ at the
head o’ the Roods, for they watch there in the
auld wind-mill.”

Most of the Thrums lights were already out,
and that in the windmill disappeared as footsteps
were heard.

“‘ You’re desperate characters,” the policeman
cried, but got no answer. He changed his tactics.

“A fine nicht for the time o’ year,” he cried.
No answer.

** But I wouldna wonder,” he shouted, “ though
we had rain afore morning.” No answer.

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