爵士Mauley是黑侏儒，是作者根据斯科特的一位相熟的现实中的人塑造的一个形象。Mauley被卷进了他朋友的一次吵架中-当他因为这次吵架入狱的时候才发现，他被害他失去自由的朋友背叛了。被释放的时候，他去了Mucklestane Moor，在那里他可以展示他非凡的能力，学识和医术和财富，这使得当地人把他当做幽灵-恶魔的仆人......
Sir Edward Mauley is "The Black Dwarf," a character based on a very real man of Scott's acquaintance. Mauley becomes involved in the quarrel of a friend -- and, when imprisoned for his actions in that quarrel, finds himself betrayed by the very man in whose cause he lost his liberty. When free, he goes to Mucklestane Moor, where his extraordinary strength, knowledge of medicine, and ready wealth lead the local people to regard him as a supernatural being -- a servant of the Devil. . . .
