"
Hereupon I told him briefly of my acquaintance with Alan, of the
accident that brought me present at the Appin murder, and the
various passages of our escape among the heather, and my recovery
of my estate. "So, sir, you have now the whole train of these
events," I went on, "and can see for yourself how I come to be so
much mingled up with the affairs of your family and friends, which
(for all of our sakes) I wish had been plainer and less bloody.
You can see for yourself, too, that I have certain pieces of
business depending, which were scarcely fit to lay before a lawyer
chosen at random. No more remains, but to ask if you will
undertake my service?"
"I have no great mind to it; but coming as you do with Alan's
button, the choice is scarcely left me," said he. "What are your
instructions?" he added, and took up his pen.
"The first point is to smuggle Alan forth of this country," said I,
"but I need not be repeating that."
"I am little likely to forget it," said Stewart.
"The next thing is the bit money I am owing to Cluny," I went on.
"It would be ill for me to find a conveyance, but that should be no
stick to you.
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