Похищенный
Chapter 28
“Thegreataffair,”Iasked,“istobringhometohimthekidnapping?”
“Surely,”saidMr.Rankeillor,“andifpossible,outofcourt.Formarkyouhere,Mr.David:wecouldnodoubtfindsomemenoftheCovenantwhowouldsweartoyourreclusion;butoncetheywereinthebox,wecouldnolongerchecktheirtestimony,andsomewordofyourfriendMr.Thomsonmustcertainlycropout.Which(fromwhatyouhaveletfall)Icannotthinktobedesirable.”
“Well,sir,”saidI,“hereismywayofit.”AndIopenedmyplottohim.
“ButthiswouldseemtoinvolvemymeetingthemanThomson?”sayshe,whenIhaddone.
“Ithinkso,indeed,sir,”saidI.
“Deardoctor!”crieshe,rubbinghisbrow.“Deardoctor!No,Mr.David,Iamafraidyourschemeisinadmissible.Isaynothingagainstyourfriend,Mr.Thomson:Iknownothingagainsthim;andifIdid—markthis,Mr.David!—itwouldbemydutytolayhandsonhim.NowIputittoyou:isitwisetomeet?Hemayhavematterstohischarge.Hemaynothavetoldyouall.HisnamemaynotbeevenThomson!”criesthelawyer,twinkling;“forsomeofthesefellowswillpickupnamesbytheroadsideasanotherwouldgatherhaws.”
“Youmustbethejudge,sir,”saidI.
Butitwasclearmyplanhadtakenholduponhisfancy,forhekeptmusingtohimselftillwewerecalledtodinnerandthecompanyofMrs.Rankeillor;andthatladyhadscarceleftusagaintoourselvesandabottleofwine,erehewasbackharpingonmyproposal.WhenandwherewasItomeetmyfriendMr.
