He was the 'swell' of the place.

This informant did not think that Mr.Crinkett had himself gone very deep at Ahalala.

Mr.Crinkett had risen high enough in his profession to be able to achieve more certainty than could be found at such a place as Ahalala.

By this time they were on the road to Mr.
Crinkett's house, this new friend having undertaken to show them the way.
'He can put you up to a thing or two, if he likes,' said the new friend.
'Perhaps he's a pal of yourn ?' Caldigate explained that he had never seen Mr.Crinkett, but that he had come to Nobble armed with a letter from a gentleman in England who had once been concerned in gold-digging.
'He's a civil enough gent, is Crinkett,' said the miner;--'but he do like making money.

They say of him there's nothing he wouldn't sell,--not even his grandmother's bones.