He despatched a letter to the earl by a messenger from the inn, saying that one who had formerly known him in Scotland desired earnestly to speak to him on matters of great import, and begging him to grant a private interview with him at his lodging at as early an hour as might be convenient to him.
The man returned with a verbal reply, that the earl would see the writer at his lodging at nine o'clock on the following morning.
At the appointed time Archie presented himself at the house inhabited by Bruce.

To the request of the earl's retainer for his name and business he replied that his name mattered not, but that he had received a message from the earl appointing him a meeting at that hour.
Two minutes later he was ushered into the private cabinet of Robert Bruce.

The latter was seated writing, and looked up at his unknown visitor.
"Do you remember me, Sir Robert Bruce ?" Archie asked.
"Methinks I know your face, sir," the earl replied, "but I cannot recall where I have seen it." "It is five years since," Archie said, "and as that time has changed me from a youth into a man I wonder not that my face has escaped you." "I know you now!" the earl exclaimed, rising suddenly from his seat.

"You are Sir Archibald Forbes ?" "I am," Archie replied, "and I have come now on the same errand I came then--the cause of our country.

The English think she is dead, but, though faint and bleeding, Scotland yet lives; but there is one man only who can revive her, and that man is yourself." "Your mission is a vain one," Bruce replied.