'A fashious job,' he said at last, 'a fashious job; and it will be dangerous meddling with it.
I should like ill to see your father's son turn informer against an unfortunate gentleman.' 'Neither do I mean it,' answered Alan, 'provided that unfortunate gentleman and his friends give me a quiet opportunity of securing my friend's safety.

If I could speak with Mr.Redgauntlet, and hear his own explanation, I should probably be satisfied.

If I am forced, to denounce him to government, it will be in his new capacity of a kidnapper.

I may not be able, nor is it my business, to prevent his being recognized in his former character of an attainted person, excepted from the general pardon.' 'Master Fairford,' said the provost, 'would ye ruin the poor innocent gentleman on an idle suspicion ?' 'Say no more of it, Mr.Crosbie; my line of conduct is determined--unless that suspicion is removed.' 'Weel, sir,' said the provost, 'since so it be, and since you say that you do not seek to harm Redgauntlet personally, I'll ask a man to dine with us to-day that kens as much about his matters as most folk.

You must think, Mr.Alan Fairford, though Redgauntlet be my wife's near relative, and though, doubtless, I wish him weel, yet I am not the person who is like to be intrusted with his incomings and outgoings.