``Dear sir,'' answered Edie, assuming a countenance of great simplicity, ``what likelihood is there o'that? d'ye think sae puir an auld creature as me wad hae kend o' sic a like thing without getting some gude out o't?--and ye wot weel I sought nane and gat nane, like Michael Scott's man.What concern could I hae wi't?''
``That's just what I want you to explain to me,'' said Oldbuck;``for I am positive you knew it was there.''
``Your honour's a positive man, Monkbarns--and, for a positive man, I must needs allow ye're often in the right.''
``You allow, then, Edie, that my belief is well founded?''
Edie nodded acquiescence.
``Then please to explain to me the whole affair from beginning to end,'' said the Antiquary.
``If it were a secret o' mine, Monkbarns,'' replied the beggar, ``ye suldna ask twice; for I hae aye said ahint your back, that for a' the nonsense maggots that ye whiles take into your head, ye are the maist wise and discreet o' a' our country gentles.But I'se een be open-hearted wi' you, and tell you that this is a friend's secret, and that they suld draw me wi' wild horses, or saw me asunder, as they did the children of Ammon, sooner than I would speak a word mair about the matter, excepting this, that there was nae ill intended, but muckle gude, and that the purpose was to serve them that are worth twenty hundred o' me.But there's nae law, I trow, that makes it a sin to ken where ither folles siller is, if we didna pit hand til't oursell?''
Oldbuck walked once or twice up and down the room in profound thought, endeavouring to find some plausible reason for transactions of a nature so mysterious--but his ingenuity was totally at fault.He then placed himself before the prisoner.
``This story of yours, friend Edie, is an absolute enigma, and would require a second <OE>dipus to solve it--who <OE>dipus was, I will tell you some other time if you remind me--However, whether it be owing to the wisdom or to the maggots with which you compliment me, I am strongly disposed to believe that you have spoken the truth, the rather that you have not made any of those obtestations of the superior powers, which Iobserve you and your comrades always make use of when you mean to deceive folks.'' (Here Edie could not suppress a smile.)``If, therefore, you will answer me one question, I will endeavour to procure your liberation.''
``If yell let me hear the question,'' said Edie, with the caution of a canny Scotchman, ``I'll tell you whether I'll answer it or no.''
``It is simply,'' said the Antiquary, ``Did Dousterswivel know anything about the concealment of the chest of bullion?''
``He, the ill-fa'ard loon!'' answered Edie, with much frankness of manner--``there wad hae been little speerings o't had Dustansnivel ken'd it was there--it wad hae been butter in the black dog's hause.''
``I thought as much,'' said Oldbuck.``Well, Edie, if I procure your freedom, you must keep your day, and appear to clear me of the bail-bond, for these are not times for prudent men to incur forfeitures, unless you can point out another _Aulam auri plenam quadrilibrem_--another _Search, No.I._''
``Ah!'' said the beggar, shaking his head, ``I doubt the bird's flown that laid thae golden eggs--for I winna ca' her goose, though that's the gait it stands in the story-buick--But I'll keep my day, Monkbarns; ye'se no loss a penny by me--And troth I wad fain be out again, now the weather's fine--and then I hae the best chance o' hearing the first news o' my friends.''
``Well, Edie, as the bouncing and thumping beneath has somewhat ceased, I presume Bailie Littlejohn has dismissed his military preceptor, and has retired from the labours of Mars to those of Themis--I will have some conversation with him--But I cannot and will not believe any of those wretched news you were telling me.''
``God send your honour may be right!'' said the mendicant, as Oldbuck left the room.
The Antiquary found the magistrate, exhausted with the fatigues of the drill, reposing in his gouty chair, humming the air, ``How merrily we live that soldiers be!'' and between each bar comforting himself with a spoonful of mock-turtle soup.
He ordered a similar refreshment for Oldbuck, who declined it, observing, that, not being a military man, he did not feel inclined to break his habit of keeping regular hours for meals--``Soldiers like you, Bailie, must snatch their food as they find means and time.But I am sorry to hear ill news of young Taffril's brig.''
``Ah, poor fellow!'' said the bailie, ``he was a credit to the town--much distinguished on the first of June.''
``But,'' said Oldbuck, ``I am shocked to hear you talk of him in the preterite tense.''