Their conversation turned to Mrs.Bertram's settlements.

'Now what could drive it into the noddle of that old harridan,' said Pleydell, 'to disinherit poor Lucy Bertram under pretence of settling her property on a boy who has been so long dead and gone?
I ask your pardon, Mr.Sampson, I forgot what an affecting case this was for you; I remember taking your examination upon it, and I never had so much trouble to make any one speak three words consecutively.

You may talk of your Pythagoreans or your silent Brahmins, Colonel; go to, I tell you this learned gentleman beats them all in taciturnity; but the words of the wise are precious, and not to be thrown away lightly.' 'Of a surety,' said the Dominie, taking his blue-checqued handkerchief from his eyes, 'that was a bitter day with me indeed; ay, and a day of grief hard to be borne; but He giveth strength who layeth on the load.' Colonel Mannering took this opportunity to request Mr.Pleydell to inform him of the particulars attending the loss of the boy; and the Counsellor, who was fond of talking upon subjects of criminal jurisprudence, especially when connected with his own experience, went through the circumstances at full length.

'And what is your opinion upon the result of the whole ?' 'O, that Kennedy was murdered: it's an old case which has occurred on that coast before now, the case of Smuggler versus Exciseman.' 'What, then, is your conjecture concerning the fate of the child ?' 'O, murdered too, doubtless,' answered Pleydell.

'He was old enough to tell what he had seen, and these ruthless scoundrels would not scruple committing a second Bethlehem massacre if they thought their interest required it.' The Dominie groaned deeply, and ejaculated, 'Enormous!' 'Yet there was mention of gipsies in the business too, Counsellor,' said Mannering, 'and from what that vulgar-looking fellow said after the funeral--' 'Mrs.Margaret Bertram's idea that the child was alive was founded upon the report of a gipsy ?' said Pleydell, catching at the half-spoken hint.
'I envy you the concatenation, Colonel; it is a shame to me not to have drawn the same conclusion.