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 confinement, or whether you be an impostor assuming his name and title, we will assume the freedom of detaining you till your appearance here, at this moment, is better accounted for; we will have no spies among us—Seize on him, my friends."

But the domestics shrunk back in doubt and alarm. Sir Frederick himself stepped forward towards the Recluse, as if to lay hands on his person, when his progress was suddenly stopped by the glittering point of a partizan, which the sturdy hand of Hobbie Elliot presented against his bosom.

"I'll gar day-light shine through ye, if ye offer to steer him. Naebody shall lay a finger on Elshie; he's a canny neighbourly man, aye ready to make a friend help; and, though ye may think him a lamiter, yet, grippie for grippie, friend, I'll wad a wether he'll make the blude spin frae under your nails. He's a tough carle, Elshie! he grips like a smith's vice."

"What has brought you here, Elliot?"