I had thought, for a beginning, of placing a thousand pounds in your hands.' 'My dear sir, you will kindly wait until I render you my bill,' said Mr.
Robbie severely.' 'It seemed to me,' I protested, 'that coming to you almost as a stranger, and placing in your hands a piece of business so contrary to your habits, some substantial guarantee of my good faith--' 'Not the way that we do business in Scotland, sir,' he interrupted, with an air of closing the dispute.
'And yet, Mr.Robbie,' I continued, 'I must ask you to allow me to proceed.

I do not merely refer to the expenses of the case.

I have my eye besides on Todd and Candlish.

They are thoroughly deserving fellows; they have been subjected through me to a considerable term of imprisonment; and I suggest, sir, that you should not spare money for their indemnification.

This will explain,' I added smiling, 'my offer of the thousand pounds.