commission for some time), well acquainted with the law, and no
less so with the haunts and habits of the illicit traders. He had
acquired the latter kind of experience by a former close alliance
with some of the most desperate smugglers, in consequence of which
he had occasionally acted, sometimes as a partner, sometimes as
legal adviser, with these persons, But the connexion had been
dropped many years; nor, considering how short the race of eminent
characters of this description, and the frequent circumstances
occur to make them retire from particular scenes of action, had he
the least reason to think that his present researches could
possibly compromise any old friend who might possess means of
retaliation. The having been concerned in these practices
abstractedly was a circumstance which, according to his opinion,
ought in no respect to interfere with his now using his experience
in behalf of the public, or rather to further his own private
views. To acquire the good opinion and countenance of Colonel
Mannering would be no small object to a gentleman who was much
disposed to escape from Coventry, and to gain the favour of old
Hazlewood, who was a leading man in the county, was of more
importance still. Lastly, if he should succeed in discovering,
apprehending, and convicting the culprits, he would have the
satisfaction of mortifying, and in some degree disparaging, Mac-
Morlan, to whom, as sheriff-substitute of the county, this sort of
investigation properly belonged, and who would certainly suffer in
public opinion should the voluntary exertions of Glossin be more
successful than his own.

Actuated by motives so stimulating, and well acquainted with the
lower retainers of the law, Glossin set every spring in motion to
detect and apprehend, if possible, some of the gang who had