The same fellow appeared to
receive my orders as before, and I set about examining him with
regard to particulars. He told me his name was Scrape; that I
hired him myself; of whom I hired him; and at whose
recommendation I smiled, and nodded so as to let the knave see I
understood he was telling me a chain of falsehoods, but did not
choose to begin with any violent asseverations to the contrary.
"And where is my noble friend and companion?" said I. "How
has he been engaged in the interim?"
"I dinna ken him, sir," said Scrape, "but have heard it said that the
strange mysterious person that attended you, him that the maist
part of folks countit uncanny, had gane awa wi' a Mr. Ringan o'
Glasko last year, and had never returned."
I thanked the Lord in my heart for this intelligence, hoping that
the illustrious stranger had returned to his own land and people,
and that I should thenceforth be rid of his controlling and
appalling presence. "And where is my mother?" said, I. The man's
breath cut short, and he looked at me without returning any
answer.--"I ask you where my mother is?" said I.
"God only knows, and not I, where she is," returned he.
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