"I've listened to them crackin' thegither."

"But what for did the man want to shoot at you?" asked the
scandalized Dickson.

"What for? Because they're frightened to death o' onybody going
near their auld Hoose. They're a pair of deevils, worse nor any Red
Indian, but for a' that they're sweatin' wi' fright. What for? says you.
Because they're hiding a Secret. I knew it as soon as I seen the man
Lean's face. I once seen the same kind o' scoondrel at the Picters.
When he opened his mouth to swear, I kenned he was a foreigner, like
the lads down at the Broomielaw. That looked black, but I hadn't got
at the worst of it. Then he loosed off at me wi' his gun."

"Were you not feared?" said Dickson.

"Ay, I was feared. But ye'll no' choke off the Gorbals Die-Hards
wi' a gun. We held a meetin' round the camp fire, and we resolved
to get to the bottom o' the business. Me bein' their Chief, it was
my duty to make what they ca' a reckonissince, for that was the
dangerous job. So a' this day I've been going on my belly about
thae policies. I've found out some queer things."

Heritage had risen and was staring down at the small squatting figure.

"What have you found out? Quick. Tell me at once." His voice was
sharp and excited.

"Bide a wee," said the unwinking Dougal. "I'm no' going to let ye