Violet Jacob > Flemington

342
FLEMINGTON
“ about myself was untrue, but you believed it,
“ and would have helped me ? How could I
“ go on ?
“ Then, as I stood between the devil and the
“ deep sea, my orders took me to the Venture,
“ and we met again on Inchbrayock. I had
“ made sure you would be on the hill. When
“ I would have escaped from you, you held me
“ back, and as we struggled you knew me for
“ what I was.
“You know the rest as well as I do, and you
“ know where I was in the campaign that followed.
“ Last of all I was sent out with those who were to
“take you on the Muir of Pert. I had no choice
“ but to go—the choice came at the cross-roads
“ below Huntly Hill. It was I who sent the warn-
“ ing to you from the little house on the Muir.
“ You had directed me there for a different purpose.
“ I sent no name with my message, knowing that if
“ I did you might suspect me of a trick to entrap
“you again. That is all. There remained only the
“consequences, and I shall be face to face with
“them to-morrow.
“ There is one thing more to say. Do not let
“ yourself suppose that I am paying for your life
“ with mine. I might have escaped had I tried to
“ do so—it was my fault that I did not try. I had
“ had enough of untruth, and I could no longer
“ take the king’s money ; I had served his cause
“ ill, and I could only pay for it. I have known two
“ true men in my life—you and the man who has
“ promised that you shall receive this letter. If