from the investigation which he had formerly bestowed on the dark
affair of Kennedy's death, as well as from the general deference
due to his professional abilities, was requested by Mr. Mac-Morlan
and Sir Robert Hazlewood, and another justice of peace who
attended, to take the situation of chairman and the lead in the
examination. Colonel Mannering was invited to sit down with them.
The examination, being previous to trial, was private in other
respects.

The Counsellor resumed and reinterrogated former evidence. He then
examined the clergyman and surgeon respecting the dying
declaration of Meg Merrilies. They stated that she distinctly,
positively, and repeatedly declared herself an eye-witness of
Kennedy's death by the hands of Hatteraick and two or three of his
crew; that her presence was accidental; that she believed their
resentment at meeting him, when they were in the act of losing
their vessel through the means of his information, led to the
commission of the crime; that she said there was one witness of
the murder, but who refused to participate in it, still alive--her
nephew, Gabriel Faa; and she had hinted at another person who was
an accessory after, not before, the fact; but her strength there
failed her. They did not forget to mention her declaration that
she had saved the child, and that he was torn from her by the
smugglers for the purpose of carrying him to Holland. All these
particulars were carefully reduced to writing.

Dirk Hatteraick was then brought in, heavily ironed; for he had
been strictly secured and guarded, owing to his former escape. He
was asked his name; he made no answer. His profession; he was
silent. Several other questions were put, to none of which he