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Chapter 28
“Why,”hecries,“ifthisbenotafarcicaladventure!AfterallthatIsaid,Ihaveforgotmyglasses!”
Atthat,ofcourse,Iunderstoodthepurposeofhisanecdote,andknewthatifhehadlefthisspectaclesathome,ithadbeendoneonpurpose,sothathemighthavethebenefitofAlan’shelpwithouttheawkwardnessofrecognisinghim.Andindeeditwaswellthoughtupon;fornow(supposethingstogotheveryworst)howcouldRankeillorsweartomyfriend’sidentity,orhowbemadetobeardamagingevidenceagainstmyself?Forallthat,hehadbeenalongwhileoffindingouthiswant,andhadspokentoandrecognisedagoodfewpersonsaswecamethroughthetown;andIhadlittledoubtmyselfthathesawreasonablywell.
AssoonaswewerepasttheHawes(whereIrecognisedthelandlordsmokinghispipeinthedoor,andwasamazedtoseehimlooknoolder)Mr.Rankeillorchangedtheorderofmarch,walkingbehindwithTorranceandsendingmeforwardinthemannerofascout.Iwentupthehill,whistlingfromtimetotimemyGaelicair;andatlengthIhadthepleasuretohearitansweredandtoseeAlanrisefrombehindabush.Hewassomewhatdashedinspirits,havingpassedalongdayaloneskulkinginthecounty,andmadebutapoormealinanalehousenearDundas.Butatthemeresightofmyclothes,hebegantobrightenup;andassoonasIhadtoldhiminwhataforwardstateourmatterswereandthepartIlookedtohimtoplayinwhatremained,hesprangintoanewman.
