[The Antiquary by Sir Walter Scott]@TWC D-Link book
The Antiquary

CHAPTER TWENTY-THIRD
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Wha thought ye wad hae laid that and that thegither?
Od, I am clean catch'd now." "I see it all," said Oldbuck, "as plain as the legend on a medal of high preservation--the box in which the' bullion was found belonged to the gun-brig, and the treasure to my phoenix ?"--( Edie nodded assent),--"and was buried there that Sir Arthur might receive relief in his difficulties ?" "By me," said Edie, "and twa o' the brig's men--but they didna ken its contents, and thought it some bit smuggling concern o' the Captain's.
I watched day and night till I saw it in the right hand; and then, when that German deevil was glowering at the lid o' the kist (they liked mutton weel that licked where the yowe lay), I think some Scottish deevil put it into my head to play him yon ither cantrip.

Now, ye see, if I had said mair or less to Bailie Littlejohn, I behoved till hae come out wi' a' this story; and vexed would Mr.Lovel hae been to have it brought to light--sae I thought I would stand to onything rather than that." "I must say he has chosen his confidant well," said Oldbuck, "though somewhat strangely." "I'll say this for mysell, Monkbarns," answered the mendicant, "that I am the fittest man in the haill country to trust wi' siller, for I neither want it, nor wish for it, nor could use it if I had it.

But the lad hadna muckle choice in the matter, for he thought he was leaving the country for ever (I trust he's mistaen in that though); and the night was set in when we learned, by a strange chance, Sir Arthur's sair distress, and Lovel was obliged to be on board as the day dawned.

But five nights afterwards the brig stood into the bay, and I met the boat by appointment, and we buried the treasure where ye fand it." "This was a very romantic, foolish exploit," said Oldbuck: "why not trust me, or any other friend ?" "The blood o' your sister's son," replied Edie, "was on his hands, and him maybe dead outright--what time had he to take counsel ?--or how could he ask it of you, by onybody ?" "You are right.

But what if Dousterswivel had come before you ?" "There was little fear o' his coming there without Sir Arthur: he had gotten a sair gliff the night afore, and never intended to look near the place again, unless he had been brought there sting and ling.


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