He declared that he
thought he could not know this Madge Wildfire, if placed before him in a
different dress, but that he believed he might recognise her voice.
The magistrate requested him again to state by what gate he left the
city.
"By the Cowgate Port," replied Butler.
"Was that the nearest road to Libberton?"
"No," answered Butler, with embarrassment; "but it was the nearest way to
extricate myself from the mob."
The clerk and magistrate again exchanged glances.
"Is the Cowgate Port a nearer way to Libberton from the Grassmarket than
Bristo Port?"
"No," replied Butler; "but I had to visit a friend."
"Indeed!" said the interrogator--"You were in a hurry to tell the sight
you had witnessed, I suppose?"
"Indeed I was not," replied Butler; "nor did I speak on the subject the
whole time I was at St. Leonard's Crags."
"Which road did you take to St. Leonard's Crags?"
"By the foot of Salisbury Crags," was the reply.
"Indeed? you seem partial to circuitous routes," again said the
magistrate. "Whom did you see after you left the city?"
One by one he obtained a description of every one of the groups who had
passed Butler, as already noticed, their number, demeanour, and
appearance; and, at length, came to the circumstance of the mysterious
stranger in the King's Park.
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