rorty
He entreated me to hold »Smith», the rorty ’Arry, a secret from the acquaintance of »Smythe», the superior person. (Novel Notes 203. 26.)
Young Londoner.
The phrase means: he was an ’Arry out and out.
Rorty (or Raughty) = of the very best.
Cf. rorty-toff: an out and out swell; rorty-dasher: a fine fellow; rorty-boys: jolly chaps.
The etymology is doubtful; possibly a corruption of right > righty?