In the meantime I had to make all my preparations, and look the coming journey in the face.

Here in Edinburgh I was within four miles of the sea, yet the business of approaching random fishermen with my hat in the one hand and a knife in the other, appeared so desperate, that I saw nothing for it but to retrace my steps over the northern counties, and knock a second time at the doors of Birchell Fenn.

To do this, money would be necessary; and after leaving my paper in the hands of Flora I had still a balance of about fifteen hundred pounds.

Or rather I may say I had them and I had them not; for after my luncheon with Mr.Robbie I had placed the amount, all but thirty pounds of change, in a bank in George Street, on a deposit receipt in the name of Mr.Rowley.

This I had designed to be my gift to him, in case I must suddenly depart.