Violet Jacob > Flemington

HUNTLY HILL
285
Wattie did not know the nature of the orders
he had brought, but he knew that they referred
to Logie. He understood that those who received
them were hastening to meet those who had des¬
patched them, and would be with them that night;
and this proved to him how important it was
that the letters should be in the hand of the
riders before they advanced farther on their way.
He had been directed to wait on the northern side
of Huntly Hill, and had been specially charged to
deliver them before Callandar crossed it. He told
himself that only a fool would fail to guess that
they referred to this particular place. But the
illuminating part to Wattie was the speech he
had heard by the bracken: it was all that was
needed to explain the officer’s stormy looks.
“These are my orders,” Callandar had said,
“but you know them, for I am informed that
they are the duplicate of yours.”
Archie had disobeyed them, and Wattie was
sure that he had gone, because the risk of meeting
Logie was too great to be run. Now was the
time for him to speak.
He had no nicety, but he had shrewdness in
plenty. He was sudden and persistent in his
address, and divining the obstacles in Callandar’s
mind, he charged them like a bull.
“ Flemington ’ll na let ye get Logie,” said he.
He made his announcement with so much
emphasis that the man walking beside him was
impressed in spite of his prejudices. He was
annoyed too. He turned on him angrily.