COMING OF THE BLACK STONE
never publicly accused, we considered that I there was no need of a public exculpation. But on that, of course, you must please yourself."
"We may want your assistance later on, MacGillivray," Sir Walter said as we left.
Then he turned me loose.
"Come and see me to-morrow, Hannay. I needn't tell you to keep deadly quiet. If I were you I would go to bed, for you must I have considerable arrears of sleep to overtake. You had better lie low, for if one of your Black Stone friends saw you there might be trouble."
I felt curiously at a loose end. At first it was very pleasant to be a free man, able to go where I wanted without fearing anything, I had only been a month under the ban of the law and it was quite enough for me. I went to the Savoy and ordered very carefully a very good luncheon, and then smoked the best cigar the house could provide. But I was still feeling nervous. When I saw anybody look at me in the lounge, I grew shy, and
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