* Bag . `` Do you mean you had no hand in it ? '' cried I , sitting up . `` I will tell you first of all , Mr. Balfour of Shaws , as one friend to another , '' said Alan , `` that if I were going to kill a gentleman , it would not be in my own country , to bring trouble on my clan ; and I would not go wanting sword and gun , and with a long fishing-rod upon my back . '' `` Well , '' said I , `` that 's true ! '' `` And now , '' continued Alan , taking out his dirk and laying his hand upon it in a certain manner , `` I swear upon the Holy Iron I had neither art nor part , act nor thought in it . '' `` I thank God for that ! '' cried I , and offered him my hand . He did not appear to see it . `` And here is a great deal of work about a Campbell ! '' said he . `` They are not so scarce , that I ken ! '' `` At least , '' said I , `` you can not justly blame me , for you know very well what you told me in the brig. But the temptation and the act are different , I thank God again for that . We may all be tempted ; but to take a life in cold blood , Alan ! '' And I could say no more for the moment . `` And do you know who did it ? '' I added . `` Do you know that man in the black coat ? '' `` I have nae clear mind about his coat , '' said Alan cunningly , `` but it sticks in my head that it was blue . '' `` Blue or black , did ye know him ? ''
said I. `` I couldnae just conscientiously XXXXX to him , '' says Alan .
's Do act ken know mean said sticks swear take