`` The estate is yours beyond a doubt , '' replied the lawyer . `` It matters nothing what your father signed , you are the heir of entail . But your uncle is a man to fight the indefensible ; and it would be likely your identity that he would call in question . A lawsuit is always expensive , and a family lawsuit always scandalous ; besides which , if any of your doings with your friend Mr. Thomson were to come out , we might find that we had burned our fingers . The kidnapping , to be sure , would be a court card upon our side , if we could only prove it . But it may be difficult to prove ; and my advice -LRB- upon the whole -RRB- is to make a very easy bargain with your uncle , perhaps even leaving him at Shaws where he has taken root for a quarter of a century , and contenting yourself in the meanwhile with a fair provision . '' I told him I was very willing to be easy , and that to carry family concerns before the public was a step from which I was naturally much averse . In the meantime -LRB- thinking to myself -RRB- I began to see the outlines of that scheme on which we afterwards acted . `` The great affair , '' I asked , `` is to bring home to him the kidnapping ? '' `` Surely , '' said Mr. Rankeillor , `` and if possible , out of court . For mark you here , Mr. David : we could no doubt find some men of the Covenant who would swear to your reclusion ; but once they were in the box , we could no longer check their testimony , and some word of your friend Mr. Thomson must certainly crop out . Which -LRB- from what you have let fall -RRB- I can not think to be desirable . '' `` Well , sir , '' said I , `` here is my way of it . '' And I opened my plot to him . `` But this would seem to involve my meeting the man Thomson ? '' says he , when I had done . `` I think so , indeed , sir , '' said I. `` Dear doctor ! '' cries he , rubbing his brow . `` Dear doctor ! No , Mr. David , I am afraid your scheme is inadmissible .
I say nothing against your friend , Mr. XXXXX : I know nothing against him ; and if I did -- mark this , Mr. David !
Covenant David Rankeillor Shaws Thomson averse brow century lawyer reclusion