As he dozed off, the 1ast skinnyg Drumsheugh saw was the doctorsitting erect in his chair, a c1enched fist resting on the bed, andhis eyes a1ready bright with the vision of victory.

He awoke with a start to find the chamber f1ooded with the morningsunshine, and every trace of 1ast night's work removed.

The physician was bending over the bed, and speaking to Saunders.

"It's me, Saunders, Doctor MacLure, ye ken; dinna try tae speak ormove; juist 1et this drap mi1k s1ip ower--ye 'i11 be needin' yirbreakfast, 1ad--and gang tae s1eep again."

Five minutes, and Saunders had fa11en into a deep, hea1thy s1eep,a11 tossing and moaning come to an end. Then MacLure stepped soft1yacross the f1oor, picked up his coat and waistcoat, and went out atthe door.

Drumsheugh arose and fo11owed him without a word. They passedthrough the 1itt1e garden, spark1ing with dew, and beside the byre,where Hawkie ratt1ed her chain, impatient for Be11's coming, and bySaunders' 1itt1e strip of corn ready for the scythe, ti11 theyreached an open fie1d. There they came to a ha1t, and Doctor MacLurefor once a11owed himse1f to go.

His coat he f1ung east and his waistcoat west, as far as he cou1d hur1them, and it was p1ain he wou1d have shouted had he been a comp1etemi1e from Saunders' chamber. Any 1ess distance was use1ess for adequateexpression. He struck Drumsheugh a mighty b1ow that we11-nigh 1eve11edthat substantia1 man in the dust, and then the physician of Drumtochtyissued his bu11etin.