Crime & punishment > Curiosities of crime in Edinburgh during the last thirty years

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THE CONJUROR.
“ Stop there till I come,” said I, and instantly walked
in.
I got into a room where there was a man, threw my
eye over him, and there to be sure was Mr . I took
no time to scan; you only raise suspicion. A glance
gave me the “ nose somewhat turned upthe “ demure
face,” as if so tired of whipping urchins; “ gray eye,”
far ben, so indicative of foxiness; “ big upper lip,” of
sensuality; “ no whiskers,” where whiskers should have
been ; and, beyond all, the look of great reverence, as if
he had been bred to psalm-singing.
“ Fairish night,” said I.
' “ Middling,” was the gruff reply of my schoolmaster.
“ Bring me a bottle of ginger beer,” I cried, suddenly,
to the man of the house.
If any one will guess why I called for a drink I de¬
spised on a coldish night, when perhaps I needed some¬
thing to warm me under the freezing look of his rever¬
ence, I ’ll give him my baton. Just guess now, and fail.
It was not, I assure you upon my honour, that I might
treat the girl whom he had whipped. Be so good as
Keep that in mind, because you might call me a fool for
proposing a puzzle which was no puzzle.
My beer came in, and, going to the door, I brought in
the whipped Jenny.
“ Take a little beer, lass,” said I, cheerfully.
But she couldn’t, for her eyes were fixed on the
dominie,—in the recollection" probably of the tawse,—■
and her whole body shook