Викрадений
Chapter 23
Bythismannerofliving,andthankstotheaffectionofhisclan,hehadnotonlystayedallthistimeinsafety,whilesomanyothershadfledorbeentakenandslain:butstayedfourorfiveyearslonger,andonlywenttoFranceatlastbytheexpresscommandofhismaster.Therehesoondied;anditisstrangetoreflectthathemayhaveregrettedhisCageuponBenAlder.
Whenwecametothedoorhewasseatedbyhisrockchimney,watchingagillieaboutsomecookery.Hewasmightyplainlyhabited,withaknittednightcapdrawnoverhisears,andsmokedafoulcuttypipe.Forallthathehadthemannersofaking,anditwasquiteasighttoseehimriseoutofhisplacetowelcomeus.
“Well,Mr.Stewart,comeawa’,sir!”saidhe,“andbringinyourfriendthatasyetIdinnakenthenameof.”
“Andhowisyourself,Cluny?”saidAlan.“Ihopeyedobrawly,sir.AndIamproudtoseeye,andtopresenttoyemyfriendtheLairdofShaws,Mr.DavidBalfour.”
Alanneverreferredtomyestatewithoutatouchofasneer,whenwewerealone;butwithstrangers,herangthewordsoutlikeaherald.
“Stepinby,thebothofye,gentlemen,”saysCluny.“Imakeyewelcometomyhouse,whichisaqueer,rudeplaceforcertain,butonewhereIhaveentertainedaroyalpersonage,Mr.Stewart—yedoubtlesskenthepersonageIhaveinmyeye.We’lltakeadramforluck,andassoonasthishandlessmanofminehasthecollopsready,we’lldineandtakeahandatthecartesasgentlemenshould.
