Kidnapped

Now in southern Scotland, Alan hides in the hills while David goes into Newhalls to find Mr. Rankeillor, the lawyer whom he believes can help establish his claim to Shaws. Rankeillor agrees to listen to the young man’s story. It turns out that Mr. Campbell came searching for David when the old priest had no word of him. During the interview, David mentions Alan, and Rankeillor pretends he missed Alan’s name but insists that David call his friend Mr. Thompson and change all the names of the Highlanders in his tale. Rankeillor agrees to help David and gives him a place to clean up and change his clothes.

Rankeillor tells David how his uncle Ebenezer came to own the estate despite David’s father being older. Both men fell in love with the same woman. The brothers came to an extra-legal agreement that Ebenezer would get the estate while David’s father “took the lady” (158). The lady rejected both men, however. Because it was a gentlemen’s agreement between the brothers, David is, in fact, heir to the estate. Rankeillor advises that the best thing would be to avoid a complicated lawsuit and leave Ebenezer the house, while David would get the estate’s income. However, Rankeillor isn’t sure how to prove the kidnapping charge that would likely settle the matter.

David comes up with a scheme, but it involves Alan. Rankeillor is reluctant but eventually agrees to participate. After making a fuss about forgetting his glasses and not being able to see without them (so he can pretend not to recognize Alan), Rankeillor asks David to take him to meet “Mr. Thompson.” The three then go to Shaws. Alan, playing his part, knocks on the door while David and Rankeillor hide nearby.

Following David’s plan, Alan tells Ebenezer that he hails from the Isle of Mull, where his family found David after the wreck of the Covenant, and they are holding him hostage. Alan gets Ebenezer to commit to paying the Highlander to have his family keep David hostage. As wicked as the old man is, he is willing to pay more for David to be held alive than it would cost to have him killed. During the negotiation, Ebenezer admits he paid to have David kidnapped and sold into slavery. At that point, David and Mr. Rankeillor reveal themselves. With the crime confessed, Rankeillor presses their advantage and secures two thirds of the estate’s income for David. 

Having secured his future, David turns toward securing the futures of those who helped him. He heard of the hanging of James Stewart and wants to testify to help clear the man’s name. He is also eager to help Alan secure passage to France. David speaks with Rankeillor about James; the lawyer is concerned that David will put himself at risk by offering his testimony but in the end advises David to follow his conscience and do his duty. Rankeillor gives David two letters, one that will secure David a line of credit and another that will introduce him to an esteemed lawyer who can help him advocate for James. David and Alan leave the estate and walk together for the last time along the roads of Scotland. They discuss plans for Alan’s passage to France and then fall into silence, neither knowing what to say. When they come to a hill called Rest-And-Be-Thankful, they say terse goodbyes and part, both full of emotion.