Mac-Grainer, when I tell you that this fellow whom I inquire 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 gauger,
the deil o' Nelly Mac-Candlish's tongue should 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
o' sae douce a lad; na, na, this is just some o' your auld skits.
Ye'll be for having a horning or a caption after him.'

'I see you have no confidence in me, Mrs. Mac-Candlish; but look
at these declarations, signed by the persons who saw the crime
committed, and judge yourself if the description of the ruffian be
not that of your guest.'

He put the papers into her hand, which she perused very carefully,
often taking off her spectacles to cast her eyes up to heaven, or
perhaps to wipe a tear from them, for young Hazlewood was an
especial favourite with the good dame. 'Aweel, aweel,' she said,
when she had concluded her examination, 'since it's e'en sae, I
gie him up, the villain. But O, we are erring mortals! I never saw
a face I liked better, or a lad that was mair douce and canny: I
thought he had been some gentleman under trouble. But I gie him
up, the villain! To shoot Charles Hazlewood, and before the young
ladies, poor innocent things! I gie him up.'

'So you admit, then, that such a person lodged here the night
before this vile business?'