Похищенный

           “Andthatisaverygoodnotionofyours,”sayshe;“andIdaretosaythatyoucouldlayyourhandsuponnobettermantoputitthroughthanAlanBreck.Itisnotathing(markye)thatanyonecoulddo,buttakesagentlemanofpenetration.Butitsticksinmyheadyourlawyer-manwillbesomewhatwearyingtoseeme,”saysAlan.

           AccordinglyIcriedandwavedonMr.Rankeillor,whocameupaloneandwaspresentedtomyfriend,Mr.Thomson.

           “Mr.Thomson,Iampleasedtomeetyou,”saidhe.“ButIhaveforgottenmyglasses;andourfriend,Mr.Davidhere”(clappingmeontheshoulder),“willtellyouthatIamlittlebetterthanblind,andthatyoumustnotbesurprisedifIpassyoubyto-morrow.”

           Thishesaid,thinkingthatAlanwouldbepleased;buttheHighlandman’svanitywasreadytostartleatalessmatterthanthat.

           “Why,sir,”sayshe,stiffly,“Iwouldsayitmatteredthelessaswearemethereforaparticularend,toseejusticedonetoMr.Balfour;andbywhatIcansee,notverylikelytohavemuchelseincommon.ButIacceptyourapology,whichwasaveryproperonetomake.”

           “AndthatismorethanIcouldlookfor,Mr.Thomson,”saidRankeillor,heartily.“AndnowasyouandIarethechiefactorsinthisenterprise,Ithinkweshouldcomeintoaniceagreement;towhichend,Iproposethatyoushouldlendmeyourarm,for(whatwiththeduskandthewantofmyglasses)Iamnotveryclearastothepath;andasforyou,Mr.David,youwillfindTorranceapleasantkindofbodytospeakwith