The exercise was an agreeable one.

It was accompanied by agreeable reflections, too.
"I hear a foot on the stair." A man entered the shop.
"No use, none," said the new-comer.

"It's wasted labor talking to Master Wilfrey." The tone was one of vexation.
"Did ye tell him what I heard about Justice Hide and his carryings on at Newcastle ?" "Ey, and I told 'im he'd never bring it off with Hide on the bench." "And what did the chiel say to it ?" "'Tut,' he said, says he, 'Millet is wi' 'im on the circuit, and he'll see the law's safe on treason.'" "So he will not touch the other indictment ?" "'It's no use,' says he, 'the man's sure to fall for treason,' he says, 'and it's all botherment trying to force me to indict 'im for murder.'" "Force him! Ha! ha! that's good, that is; force him, eh ?" The speaker renewed his attentions to the fire.
"He'll be beaten," he added,--"he'll be beaten, will Master Wilfrey.
With Hide oh the bench there'll be no conviction for treason.

And then the capital charge will go to the wall, and Ray will get away scot free." "It baffles me yet aboot Ray, his giving himself up." "Shaf, man! Will ye never see through the trick?
It was to stand for treason and claim the pardon, or be fined, or take a year in Doomsdale, and escape the gallows.

He's a cunning taistrel.