Agnews of Lochnaw

238 A SECOND MURDER. [1602.
hanger. It is not quite certain that Auchindrane, the principal
instigator of this cowardly deed, actually took part in the killing
of Sir Thomas, though he was certainly hard by ; and the other
assassins, having robbed their victim, retired to their homes with
all speed.
The children of the tutor soon heard of their doings, and
possessed themselves of his mangled corpse ; and his relatives,
having assembled from far and near to pay the last solemn mark
of respect to their departed friend, left no means untried to dis-
cover his murderers.
Notwithstanding very general suspicions against him, Mure,
unabashed, remained in the country, presented himself to under-
lie the law, and as no evidence could be proved against him he
boldly demanded an acquittal ; but so strongly did public feeling
run against him, that notwithstanding his indignant protest, the
judges adjourned his trial.
He then offered trial by combat to his accusers, but this they
wisely declined. A qualm of terror now crossed his mind when
he thought of the poor scholar, Dalrymple, whom he had
prompted with a lie ; and he felt that at all hazards this evi-
dence must be got rid of.
He therefore seized on the poor lad, who had few friends, and
kept him a close prisoner for many months, after which he sent
him to Arran. Hence the poor lad, neglected and half starved,
at last effected his escape, and returned to his home ; but again
the murderer pounced upon his victim, and by the connivance of
a kinsman had him transported to Holland, where the youth was
obliged to serve as a soldier in Lord Buccleuch's regiment.
Six years the unfortunate student was thus held to involun-
tary service ; until, at last, having survived the hardships of the
camp, he re-appeared in Ayrshire, forgotten almost by every
one excepting his evil genius.
The Laird of Auchindrane now caused a vassal of his, named
Bannatyne, to entice Dalrymple to his house on the sea-shore,
not far from Girvan ; and having him safely lodged there, at
dead of night Mure and his son caused Bannatyne to bring out