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Rh —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."

"Troth did he, sir, and a' the house were ta'en wi' him, he was such a frank pleasant young man. It was na for his spending I'm sure, for he just had a mutton-chop, and a mug of ale, and may be a glass or twa o' wine—and I asked him to drink tea wi' mysell, and did na put that into the bill; and he took nae supper, for he said he was defeat wi' travel a' the night afore—I dare say now it had been on some hellicat errand or other." "Did you by any chance learn his name?" "I wot weel did I—for he said it was likely that an auld woman like a gypsy wife might be asking for him—Aye, aye! tell me your company, and I'll tell you wha ye are! O the villain!—Aweel, sir, when he gaed away in the morning he paid his bill