its former fortified position. "Ye're no buyer; I knoo that all along
by that face on ye," he said in insulting tones.

"Ye wad ha' bought him yerseif', nae doot?" M'Adam inquired
blandly.

"In course; if you says so."

"Or airblins ye bred him?"

'Appen I did."

"Ye'll no be from these parts?"

"Will I no?" answered the other.

A smile of genuine pleasure stole over M'Adam's face. He laid his
hand on the other's arm.

"Man," he said gently, "ye mind me o' hame." Then almost in the
same breath:

Ye said ye found him?"

It was the stranger's turn to laugh.

"Ha! ha! Ye teecide me, little mon. Found 'im? Nay; I was give 'im
by a friend. But there's nowt amiss wi' his breedin', ye may believe
me."