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I knew he had led his
men in the Rebellion; I knew his father's head--my old lord's, that
grey fox of the mountains--to have fallen on the block for that
offence, the lands of the family to have been seized, and their
nobility attainted. I could not conceive what he should be doing
in Grant's house; I could not conceive that he had been called to
the bar, had eaten all his principles, and was now currying favour
with the Government even to the extent of acting Advocate-Depute in
the Appin murder.
"Well, Mr. Balfour," said he, "what is all this I hear of ye?"
"It would not become me to prejudge," said I, "but if the Advocate
was your authority he is fully possessed of my opinions."
"I may tell you I am engaged in the Appin case," he went on; "I am
to appear under Prestongrange; and from my study of the
precognitions I can assure you your opinions are erroneous. The
guilt of Breck is manifest; and your testimony, in which you admit
you saw him on the hill at the very moment, will certify his
hanging."
"It will be rather ill to hang him till you catch him," I observed.


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