magistrate, "this is a serious charge against you. I
trust you may be able effectually to meet it."

"I must wait, your worship, till I hear fully what it is first," replied
Lamh Laudher, "afther that I'm not afraid of clearin' myself from it."

The woman then detailed the circumstances of the robbery, which it
appeared took place at the moment her luggage was in the act of being
removed to her room, after which she added, rather unexpectedly--"And
now your worship, I have plainly stated the facts; but I must, in
conscience, add, that although this woman," turning to Nell M'Collum,
"is of opinion that the young man before you has robbed me, yet I cannot
think he did."

"I'll swear, your worship," said Nell, "that on passin' homewards last
night, seein' a car wid people about it, at Luke Connor's door, I stood
behind the porch, merely to thry if I knew who they wor. I seen this
Lamh Laudher wid a small oak box in his hands, an' I'll give my oath
that it was open, an' that he put his hands into it, and tuck something
out."

"Pray, Nell, how did it happen that you yourself were abroad at so
unseasonable an hour?" said the magistrate.

"Every one knows that I'm out at quare hours," replied Nell; "I'm not
like others. I know where I ought to be, at all times; but last night,
if your worship wishes to hear the truth, I was on my way to Andy
Murray's wake, the poor lad that was shepherd to the Neils."

"And pray, Nell," said his worship, "how did you form so sudden an
acquaintance with this respectable looking woman?"

"I knew her for years," said Nell; "I've seen her in other parts of the
country often."

"You were more than an hour with her last night--were you not?" said his
worship.

"She made me stay wid her," said Nell, "bekase she was a stranger, an'
of coorse was glad to see a face she know, afther the fright she got."

"All very natural, Nell; but in the mean time, she might easily have
chosen a more respectable associate. Have you actually lost the sum of
six hundred pounds, my good madam?"

"I have positively lost so much," replied the woman, "together with the
certificate of my marriage."

"And how did you become acquainted with Nell M'Collum?" he inquired.

The stranger was silent, and blushed deeply at this question; but Nell,
with more presence of mind, went over to the magistrate, and whispered
something which caused him to start, look keenly at her, and then at the
plaintiff.

"I must have th