‘And you can tell me all about this new book of yours with the intriguing title. Another tall tale of adventure and suspense? A return to stowaways, perhaps, and buccaneers?’ ‘Highland Scots,’ I replied, hoping to cut the inquisition short with the briefest of answers. I have long been of the opinion that a writer who tips his hand too soon loses more than the interest of his audience; he loses his own.
