Moreover , I could see he now treated me as if I was myself beyond a doubt ; so that first point of my identity seemed fully granted . `` Sir , '' said I , `` if I tell you my story , I must commit a friend 's life to your discretion . Pass me your word it shall be sacred ; and for what touches myself , I will ask no better guarantee than just your face . '' He passed me his word very seriously . `` But , '' said he , `` these are rather alarming prolocutions ; and if there are in your story any little jostles to the law , I would beg you to bear in mind that I am a lawyer , and pass lightly . '' Thereupon I told him my story from the first , he listening with his spectacles thrust up and his eyes closed , so that I sometimes feared he was asleep . But no such matter ! he heard every word -LRB- as I found afterward -RRB- with such quickness of hearing and precision of memory as often surprised me . Even strange outlandish Gaelic names , heard for that time only , he remembered and would remind me of , years after . Yet when I called Alan Breck in full , we had an odd scene . The name of Alan had of course rung through Scotland , with the news of the Appin murder and the offer of the reward ; and it had no sooner escaped me than the lawyer moved in his seat and opened his eyes . `` I would name no unnecessary names , Mr. Balfour , '' said he ; `` above all of Highlanders , many of whom are obnoxious to the law . '' `` Well , it might have been better not , '' said I , `` but since I have let it slip , I may as well continue . '' `` Not at all , '' said Mr. Rankeillor . `` I am somewhat dull of hearing , as you may have remarked ; and I am far from sure I caught the name exactly . We will call your friend , if you please , Mr. Thomson -- that there may be no reflections . And in future , I would take some such way with any Highlander that you may have to mention -- dead or alive . '' By this , I saw he must have heard the name all too clearly , and had already guessed I might be coming to the murder . If he chose to play this part of ignorance , it was no matter of mine ; so I smiled , said it was no very Highland-sounding name , and consented . Through all the rest of my story Alan was Mr. Thomson ; which amused me the more , as it was a piece of policy after his own heart .
James Stewart , in like manner , was mentioned under the style of Mr. XXXXX 's kinsman ; Colin Campbell passed as a Mr. Glen ; and to Cluny , when I came to that part of my tale , I gave the name of `` Mr. Jameson , a Highland chief . ''
Alan Breck Highland-sounding Highlander Rankeillor Scotland Thomson first prolocutions years