AN EXAMINATION.
Major Melville of Cairnvreckan, an elderly gentleman, who had spent his youth in the military service, received Mr.Morton with great kindness, and our hero with civility, which the equivocal circumstances wherein Edward was placed rendered constrained and distant.
The nature of the smith's hurt was inquired into, and as the actual injury was likely to prove trifling, and the circumstances in which it was received rendered the infliction, on Edward's part, a natural act of self-defence, the Major conceived he might dismiss that matter, on Waverley's depositing in his hands a small sum for the benefit of the wounded person.
``I could wish, sir,'' continued the Major, ``that my duty terminated here; but it is necessary that we should have some further inquiry into the cause of your journey through the country at this unfortunate and distracted time.''
Mr.Ebenezer Cruickshanks now stood forth, and communicated to the magistrate all he knew or suspected from the reserve of Waverley, and the evasions of Callum Beg.The horse upon which Edward rode, he said he knew to belong to Vich Ian Vohr, though he dared not tax Edward's former attendant with the fact, lest he should have his house and stables burnt over his head some night by that godless gang the Mac-Ivors.He concluded by exaggerating his own services to kirk and state, as having been the means, under God (as he modestly qualified the assertion), of attaching this suspicious and formidable delinquent.He intimated hopes of future reward, and of instant reimbursement for loss of time, and even of character, by travelling on the state business on the fast-day.
To this Major Melville answered, with great composure, that, so far from claiming any merit in this affair, Mr.Cruickshanks ought to deprecate the imposition of a very heavy fine for neglecting to lodge, in terms of the recent proclamation, an account with the nearest magistrate of any stranger who came to his inn; that as Mr.Cruickshanks boasted so much of religion and loyalty, he should not impute this conduct to disaffection, but only suppose that his zeal for kirk and state had been lulled asleep by the opportunity of charging a stranger with double horse-hire; that, however, feeling himself incompetent to decide singly upon the conduct of a person of such importance, he should reserve it for consideration of the next quarter-sessions.
Now our history for the present saith no more of him of the Candlestick, who wended dolorous and malcontent back to his own dwelling.
Major Melville then commanded the villagers to return to their homes, excepting two, who officiated as constables, and whom he directed to wait below.The apartment was thus cleared of every person but Mr.Morton, whom the Major invited to remain; a sort of factor, who acted as clerk; and Waverley himself.There ensued a painful and embarrassed pause, till Major Melville, looking upon Waverley with much compassion, and often consulting a paper or memorandum which he held in his hand, requested to know his name.---``Edward Waverley.''
``I thought so; late of the ------ dragoons, and nephew of Sir Everard Waverley of Waverley-Honour.''
``The same.''
``Young gentleman, I am extremely sorry that this painful duty has fallen to my lot.''
``Duty, Major Melville, renders apologies superfluous.''
``True, Sir; permit me, therefore, to ask you how your time has been disposed of since you obtained leave of absence from your regiment, several weeks ago, until the present moment?''
``My reply,'' said Waverley, ``to so general a question must be guided by the nature of the charge which renders it necessary.
I request to know what that charge is, and upon what authority I am forcibly detained to reply to it?''
``The charge, Mr.Waverley, I grieve to say, is of a very high nature, and affects your character both as a soldier and a subject.
In the former capacity, you are charged with spreading mutiny and rebellion among the men you commanded, and setting them the example of desertion, by prolonging your own absence from the regiment, contrary to the express orders of your commanding-officer.
The civil crime of which you stand accused is that of high treason, and levying war against the king, the highest delinquency of which a subject can be guilty.''
``And by what authority am I detained to reply to such heinous calumnies?''
``By one which you must not dispute, nor I disobey.''
He handed to Waverley a warrant from the Supreme Criminal Court of Scotland, in full form, for apprehending and securing the person of Edward Waverley, Esq., suspected of treasonable practices and other high crimes and misdemeanours.
The astonishment which Waverley expressed at this communication was imputed by Major Melville to conscious guilt, while Mr.Morton was rather disposed to construe it into the surprise of innocence unjustly suspected.There was something true in both conjectures; for although Edward's mind acquitted him of the crime with which he was charged, yet a hasty review of his own conduct convinced him he might have great difficulty in establishing his innocence to the satisfaction of others.
``It is a very painful part of this painful business,'' said Major Melville, after a pause, ``that, under so grave a charge, Imust necessarily request to see such papers as you have on your person.''
``You shall, sir, without reserve,'' said Edward, throwing his pocket-book and memorandums upon the table; ``there is but one with which I could wish you would dispense.''
``I am afraid, Mr.Waverley, I can indulge you with no reservation.''
``You shall see it then, sir; and as it can be of no service, Ibeg it may be returned.''
