very true, in Baillie Mac-Candlish's time, (honest man) we keepit the kirk, whilk was most seemly in his station, as having office—but after his being called to a better place than Kippletringan, I hae gaenback to worthy Maister Mac-Grainer. And so ye see, sir, I am no clear to swear without speaking to the minister—especially against ony sackless puir young thing that's ganging through the country stranger and freendless like."

"I shall relieve your scruples, perhaps, without troubling Mr Mac-Grainer, when I tell you that this fellow whom I enquire after is the man who shot your young friend Charles Hazlewood."

"Gudeness! wha could hae thought the like o' that o' him?—na, if it had been for debt, or e'en for a bit tuilzie wi' the ganger, the deil o' Nelly Mac-Candlish's tongue suld ever hae wranged him. But if he really shot young Hazlewood—But I canna think it, Mr Glossin; this will be some o' your skits now—I canna think it