'And if they do not, you can do that for them, eh, Mrs. Mac-
Candlish? ha, ha, ha! But this young man that I inquire after was
upwards of six feet high, had a dark frock, with metal buttons,
light-brown hair unpowdered, blue eyes, and a straight nose,
travelled on foot, had no servant or baggage; you surely can
remember having seen such a traveller?'

'Indeed, sir,' answered Mrs. Mac-Candlish, bent on baffling his
inquiries, 'I canna charge my memory about the matter; there's
mair to do in a house like this, I trow, than to look after
passengers' hair, or their een, or noses either.'

'Then, Mrs. Mac-Candlish, I must tell you in plain terms that this
person is suspected of having been guilty of a crime; and it is in
consequence of these suspicions that I, as a magistrate, require
this information from you; and if you refuse to answer my
questions, I must put you upon your oath.'

'Troth, sir, I am no free to swear; [Footnote: Some of the strict
dissenters decline taking an oath before a civil magistrate.] we
ay gaed to the Antiburgher meeting. It's very true, in Bailie 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 gaen back 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 gaun through the country,
stranger and freendless like.'

'I shall relieve your scruples, perhaps, without troubling Mr.