I fear the Crichton's men are warned. As it is we shall have to fight
for it."

Sholto still hesitated, divided between obedience and grief.

"Sholto MacKim," said the Earl, "if indeed you owe me aught of love or
service, go and do that thing which I have laid upon you. Bear a
courteous greeting from me to your sweetheart Maud, and a kiss to our
Maid Margaret. And now haste you and begone!"

Sholto bent a moment on his knee and kissed the hand of his young
master. His voice was choked with sobs. The Earl patted him on the
shoulder. "Dinna greet, laddie," he said, in the kindly country speech
which comes so meltingly to all Galloway folk in times of distress,
gentle and simple alike, "dinna greet. If one Douglas fall in the
breach, there stands ever a better behind him."

"But never one like you, my lord, my lord!" said Sholto.

The Earl raised him gently, led him to the window, and himself
steadied the rope by which his squire was to descend.

"Go!" he said; "honour keeps the Douglas here, and his brother bides
with him--since not otherwise it may be. But the honour of obedience
sends Sholto MacKim to the work that is given him!"

Then, after the captain of his guard had gone out into the dark and
disappeared down the rope, the Earl only waited till the tension
slackened before stooping and cutting the cord at the point of
juncture with the iron ring.