Page:John Falkirk's cariches (2).pdf/22

20 now-a-daye for thae doctors." Tom's reflections were interrupted by his arrival at the elder's house; the inmates were all gone to bed, with the exception of the elder himself, who was doubt- ess rather surprised at so late, or rather early, a visit from his friend Tam Merrilees. (It was, now between one and two of the morning.) - Mr. Merrilees!' exclaimed he, what was brought you here at this time of tne night? Nothing serious, I hope. Serious enough,' muttered Tam. ' I'm just come, Maister Mitchell, ye see, about an unco queer kind o' a circumstance. Aye, Mr. Merrilees, what is it? Sit down and lets hear it. I'll just speer at ye a sma' question first,' answered Tam.--"What kind o' a body is that grave-digger of yours ?! ' Is it Willie Scrymgeour ye mean ?' asked the elder. ' Aye, man, its just him; dye think he's an honest man?' An honest man !' echoed Mr. Mitchell what should make you ask that; he's no been stealing surely.' 'I'm no saying that,' respon- ded Tam, but div ye think he wad lift a corpse or any thing of that kind ? Surely not, Mr. Merrilees,' said the anxious elder, drawing his chair closer? ' you do not mean body-lifting the man that's trusted with the keys of the burial- ground ! ' I'm no saying, Mr. Mitchell, that he lifts bodies. I'll no say that the noo; but I'll