Ask me not what it is, for it were best that if it fail you should not know of it.

There is no danger in the enterprise, but for a month I shall be absent.

On my return you shall hear my final resolve." Having attired himself as a lowland farmer, Archie proceeded to Edinburgh, and there took ship for London; here he took lodgings at an inn, which he had been told in Edinburgh was much frequented by Scotchmen who had to go to London on business.

His first care was to purchase the garments of an English gentleman of moderate means, so that he could pass through the streets without attracting attention.
He was greatly impressed with the bustle and wealth of London.
"It is wonderful," he said to himself, "that we Scots, who were after all but an army of peasants, could for nigh ten years have supported a war against such a country as this, and it seems madness to adventure farther in that way.

If my present errand fails I will assuredly hold firm to my resolve and seek a refuge in France." Archie ascertained that Robert the Bruce lodged at Westminster, and that great gaieties were taking place at the court for joy at the final termination of hostilities with Scotland, now secured by the execution of Wallace.