noon
There he took his basket of fish on his arm , which he went and distributed according to his purpose , ending with Mrs Courthope at the House . Then he fed and dressed Kelpie , saddled her and galloped to Duff Harbour , where he found Mr Soutar at breakfast , and arranged with him to be at Lossie House at two o'clock . On his way back he called on Mr Morrison , and requested his presence at the same hour . Skirting the back of the House , and riding as straight as he could , he then made for Scaurnose , and appointed his friends to be near the House at noon , so placed as not to attract observation and yet be within hearing of his whistle from door or window in the front . Returning to the House , he put up Kelpie , rubbed her down and fed her ; then , as there was yet some time to spare , paid a visit to the factor . He found his lady , for all his present of fish in the earlier morning , anything but friendly . She did all she could to humble him ; insisted on paying him for the fish ; and ordered him , because they smelt of the stable , to take off his boots before he went upstairs -- to his master 's room , as she phrased it .