Castle Douglas so as to be ready to catch his train to the south he said:
"To-morrow is a busy day there and you may find it hard to get rooms at the Douglas, especially as the fog will detain many travellers. Now I had my rooms reserved at the Walter Scott, kept by an old servant of mine, where I always stay. An hour gone I wired countermanding them as I am going to stay the night with Mulgrave of Ennisfour where I am dining; so perhaps you had better wire over and secure them. I shall be there myself in the morning as I have work in Castle Douglas, but that need not interfere with you. If you go early you may be off before I get there."
"I do not want to go South very early; so I hope you will breakfast with me if I am still there." The genial old Sheriff shook his head:
"No, no. You must breakfast with me. I am in my own bailiwick and you must let me be your host."
"All right!" said Athlyne heartily. The old man who had been looking at him kindly all the time now said:
"Tell me now—and you won't think me rude or inquisitive; but you're a young man and I'm an old one, and moreover sheriff—can I do anything for you? The Sergeant told me you were in a state of desperate anxiety to get away—or at any rate to let the lady get off; and I couldn't help noticing myself that you are still anxious. The policeman said she was young, and much upset about it all. Can I serve you in any way? If I can, it will I assure you be a pleasure to me." He was so frank and kind and hearty that Athlyne's heart warmed to him. Moreover he was upset himself, poor fellow; and though he was a man and a strong one, was more than glad to unburden his heart to some one who would be a sympathetic listener:
"The fact is, sir, that the young lady who was with me came for a drive from Ambleside and we came on here on the spur of the moment. Her father had gone to London
