"I gave you a hint before--I will possess you more fully hereafter--I promise you, there is a secret." "But, Mr.Oldbuck, if the state is concerned, I, who do the whole drudgery business here, really have a title to be consulted, and until I am"-- "Hush! hush!" said the Antiquary, winking and putting his finger to his nose,--"you shall have the full credit, the entire management, whenever matters are ripe.

But this is an obstinate old fellow, who will not hear of two people being as yet let into his mystery, and he has not fully acquainted me with the clew to Dousterswivel's devices." "Aha! so we must tip that fellow the alien act, I suppose ?" "To say truth, I wish you would." "Say no more," said the magistrate; "it shall forthwith be done--he shall be removed tanquam suspect--I think that's one of your own phrases, Monkbarns ?" "It is classical, Bailie--you improve." "Why, public business has of late pressed upon me so much, that I have been obliged to take my foreman into partnership.

I have had two several correspondences with the Under Secretary of State--one on the proposed tax on Riga hemp-seed, and the other on putting down political societies.

So you might as well communicate to me as much as you know of this old fellow's discovery of a plot against the state." "I will, instantly, when I am master of it," replied Oldbuck---"I hate the trouble of managing such matters myself.

Remember, however, I did not say decidedly a plot against the state I only say I hope to discover, by this man's means, a foul plot." "If it be a plot at all, there must be treason in it, or sedition at least," said the Bailie--"Will you bail him for four hundred merks ?" "Four hundred merks for an old Blue-Gown! Think on the act 1701 regulating bail-bonds!--Strike off a cipher from the sum--I am content to bail him for forty merks." "Well, Mr.Oldbuck, everybody in Fairport is always willing to oblige you--and besides, I know that you are a prudent man, and one that would be as unwilling to lose forty, as four hundred merks.