Which underlined word best characterizes the pardon-seller as a swindler? backwoods money double-talk priest

"double talk"

When someone is saying things that are untrustworthy, or if they go back on something that they've previously said it is a good indication that that person might be a "swindler", someone who is conning other people. Describing the pardon-seller as using "double talk" is the best indication that he is a swindler.