374 The Little Minister

ing back. Whatever be the issue, I should be a
cur to return to Thrums without my wife. Every
minute I feel my strength returning, and before
you reach Thrums I will have set out to the
Spittal.”

There was nothing to say after that. He came
with me in the rain as far as the dyke, warning me
against telling his people what was not true.

“ My first part,” I answered, “ will be to send
word to your mother that you are in safety.
After that I must see Whamond. Much depends
enthim.”

“ You will not go to my mother?”

“ Not so long as she has a roof over her head,”
I said, “ but that may not be for long.”

So, I think, we parted, — each soon to forget
the other in a woman.

But I had not gone far when I heard some-
thing that stopped me as sharply as if it had
been McKenzie’s hand once more on my shoul-
der. For a second the noise appalled me, and
then, before the echo began, I knew it must be
the Spittal cannon. My only thought was one
of thankfulness. Now Gavin must see the wis-
dom of my reasoning. I would wait for him
until he was able to come with me to Thrums.
I turned back, and in my haste I ran through
water I had gone round before.

I was too late. He was gone, and into the
rain I shouted his name in vain. That he had
started for the Spittal there could be no doubt;
that he would ever reach it was less certain. The
earl’s collie was still crouching by the fire, and,
thinking it might be a guide to him, I drove the