"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."