He left the executive part of the business to the officers of the law, under the immediate direction of Frank Kennedy, a supervisor, or riding-officer, belonging to the excise, who had of late become intimate at the Place, and of whom we shall have more to say in the next chapter.

Mr.Bertram himself chose that day to make a visit to a friend at some distance.

But it so happened, notwithstanding his precautions, that he could not avoid meeting his late tenants during their retreat from his property.
It was in a hollow way, near the top of a steep ascent, upon the verge of the Ellangowan estate, that Mr.Bertram met the gipsy procession.

Four or five men formed the advanced guard, wrapped in long loose great-coats that hid their tall slender figures, as the large slouched hats, drawn over their brows, concealed their wild features, dark eyes, and swarthy faces.

Two of them carried long fowling-pieces, one wore a broadsword without a sheath, and all had the Highland dirk, though they did not wear that weapon openly or ostentatiously.