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now-a-daye for thae doctors." Tam'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 doubtless 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 the 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; dy'e 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,' responded 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
