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 swear to him , '' says Alan . `` He gaed very close by me , to be sure , but it 's a strange thing that I should just have been tying my brogues . '' `` Can you swear that you do n't know him , Alan ? '' I cried , half angered , half in a mind to laugh at his evasions . `` Not yet , '' says he ; `` but I 've a grand memory for forgetting , David . '' `` And yet there was one thing I saw clearly , '' said I ; `` and that was , that you exposed yourself and me to draw the soldiers . '' `` It 's very likely , '' said Alan ; `` and so would any gentleman . You and me were innocent of that transaction . '' `` The better reason , since we were falsely suspected , that we should get clear , '' I cried . `` The innocent should surely come before the guilty . ''
`` Why , XXXXX , '' said he , `` the innocent have aye a chance to get assoiled in court ; but for the lad that shot the bullet , I think the best place for him will be the heather .
Alan Blue David God I. brig. brogues coat life temptation