miles back on the hillside. There's a public-house just where the
burn comes in, and I think he was making for it. Maybe that was
your man. This wire says "South African"; and now I remember
the fellow had the look of a colonial.'

The policeman sighed. 'No doubt it will be the man. Perhaps he
will haf a pistol and will shoot.'

'Not him,' I laughed. 'He looked a mangy sort of chap, and he'll
be scared out of his senses at the sight of you. But take my advice
and get somebody with you before you tackle him. You're always
the better of a witness.'

'That is so,' he said, brightening. 'Ach, these are the bad times!
in old days there wass nothing to do but watch the doors at the
flower-shows and keep the yachts from poaching the sea-trout. But
now it is spies, spies, and "Donald, get out of your bed, and go off
twenty mile to find a German." I wass wishing the war wass by, and
the Germans all dead.'

'Hear, hear!' I cried, and on the strength of it gave him
another dram.

I accompanied him to the road, and saw him mount his bicycle
and zig-zag like a snipe down the hill towards Achranich. Then I
set off briskly northward. It was clear that the faster I moved
the better.
As I went I paid disgusted tribute to the efficiency of the Scottish
police. I wondered how on earth they had marked me down.
Perhaps it was the Glasgow meeting, or perhaps my association