There he engaged a bedroom for the night and, having certain scruples, paid for it in advance.

He also had some sandwiches prepared which he stowed in his pack, and filled his flask with whisky.

"I'm going home to Glasgow by the first train in the to-morrow," he told the landlady, "and now I've got to see a friend.

I'll not be back till late." He was assured that there would be no difficulty about his admittance at any hour, and directed how to find Mr.Loudon's dwelling.
It was an old house fronting direct on the street, with a fanlight above the door and a neat brass plate bearing the legend "Mr.James Loudon, Writer." A lane ran up one side leading apparently to a garden, for the moonlight showed the dusk of trees.

In front was the main street of Auchenlochan, now deserted save for a single roysterer, and opposite stood the ancient town house, with arches where the country folk came at the spring and autumn hiring fairs.