CHAPTER XXVII.
THE LONGER CATECHISM In the meantime Mr.McLean was walking slowly to the Quharity Arms, fanning his face with his hat, and in the West town end he came upon some boys who had gathered with offensive cries round a girl in a lustre jacket.

A wave of his stick put them to flight, but the girl only thanked him with a look, and entered a little house the window of which showed a brighter light than its neighbors.

Dr.McQueen came out of this house a moment afterwards, and as the two men now knew each other slightly, they walked home together, McLean relating humorously how he had spent the evening.

"And though Commander Sandys means to incarcerate me in the Tower of London," he said, "he did me a good service the other day, and I feel an interest in him." "What did the inventive sacket do ?" the doctor asked inquisitively; but McLean, who had referred to the incident of the pass-book, affected not to hear.

"Miss Ailie has told me his history," he said, "and that he goes to the University next year." "Or to the herding," put in McQueen, dryly.
"Yes, I heard that was the alternative, but he should easily carry a bursary; he is a remarkable boy." "Ay, but I'm no sure that it's the remarkable boys who carry the bursaries.