This done, he had a long talk with Roger.
"Now, Roger," he said, "this will be the most dangerous business in which we have been concerned; and I should not venture to undertake it, did I not know that I could rely, absolutely, upon you." "I will do my best, master, and will adventure my life all the more willingly, since it is in the service of Allan and Janet Armstrong.
They were always pleasant and friendly with me, at Yardhope, and I like them for themselves, as well as because they are your cousins.

Now, master, what is to be done ?" "Have you your gown with you, Roger ?" "No, master.

I know you always told me to take it with me, thinking that it might come in useful, and I carried it under my saddle all the time we were in Wales; but, seeing that this was but a ride to Jedburgh and back, I thought that there would be no occasion for it." "That is unfortunate, Roger, for it is upon this that we must depend to get an entry into the Bairds' hold." "Well, master, I can doubtless get some rough cloth of the colour, at Jedburgh; and indeed, there is a small monastery about three miles hence on the road, and it may be that, if Adam Armstrong will go with us and say wherefore it is wanted, the prior will let him have one." "I will see him at once.

No time must be lost.

While he is away, you must shave your head again." Roger's face fell.
"'Tis hard, master, after it has grown so well to match the rest.
Still, for so good a purpose I must even give in." On hearing what was wanted, Armstrong mounted and rode off at once and, while he was away, one of the villagers shaved the top of Roger's head again.