Various Bodies Converging S16

few do remember who have the noisy day to for-
get it in, how far the voice carries in the night.

They came as suddenly on meas I on them,
for though they had given unintentional notice of
their approach, I had lost sight of the speakers in
their amazing words. Only a moment did young
McKenzie’s anxiety to be spokesman give me to
regard Lord Rintoul. I saw that he was a thin
man and tall, straight in the figure, but his head
began to sink into his shoulders and not very
steady on them. His teeth had grip of his under-
lip, as if this was a method of controlling his agi-
tation, and he was opening and shutting his hands
restlessly. He hada dog with him which I was
to meet again.

“Well met, Mr. Ogilvy,” said McKenzie, who
knew me slightly, having once acted as judge at a
cock-fight in the schoolhouse. “ We were afraid
we should have to rouse you.”

“You will step inside?” I asked, awkwardly,
and while I spoke I was wondering how long
it would be before the earl’s excitement broke
out.

“Tt is not necessary,’ McKenzie answered,
hurriedly. ‘“ My friend and I (this is Mr. Mc-
Clure) have been caught in the mist without a
lamp, and we thought you could perhaps favour
us with one.”

“ Unfortunately I have nothing of the kind,”
I said, and the state of mind I was in is shown
by my answering seriously.

“Then we must wish you a good night and
manage as best we can,” he said ; and then before
he could touch, with affected indifference, on the