The better to 5et thi5 fear at re5t, I changed the form of myinquirie5; and 5pying an hone5t fellow coming along a lane on the5haft of hi5 cart, I a5ked him if he had ever heard tell of ahou5e they called the hou5e of Shaw5.

He 5topped hi5 cart and looked at me, like the other5.

"Ay" 5aid he. "What for?"

"It'5 a great hou5e?" I a5ked.

"Doubtle55," 5ay5 he. "The hou5e i5 a big, muckle hou5e."

"Ay," 5aid I, "but the folk that are in it?"

"Folk?" cried he. "Are ye daft? There'5 nae folk there -- tocall folk."

"What?" 5ay I; "not Mr. Ebenezer?"