"‘i wish you, john,’ said my uncle, ‘to witness my will. i leave my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to you. if you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! if you find you cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest enemy. i am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but i can’t say what turn things are going to take. kindly sign the paper where mr. fordham shows you.’