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346 his victim. In lifting Glossin, it was found he had been dead for some hours. His body bore uncommon marks of violence. The spine where it joins the scull had received severe injury by his first fall. There were distinct marks of strangulation about the throat, which corresponded with the blackened state of his face. The head was turned backward over the shoulder, as if the neck had been wrung round with desperate violence. So that it would seem that his inveterate antagonist had fixed a fatal gripe upon the wretch's throat, and never quitted it while life lasted. The lantern, crushed and broken to pieces, lay beneath the body.

Mac-Morlan was in the town, and came instantly to examine the corpse. "What brought Glossin here?" said he to Hatteraick.

"The devil!" answered the ruffian.

"And what did you do to him?"