Wilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland, Volume XXIII

On looking over some Session papers which had belonged to Lord Kames, with the object, I confess, of getting hold of some facts – those entities called by Quintilian the bones of truth, the more by token, I fancy, that they so often stick in the throat – which might contribute to my legends, I came to some sheets whereon his lordship had written some hasty remarks, to the effect that the case Napier versus Napier was the most curious puzzle that ever he had witnessed since he had taken his seat on the bench. The papers were fragmentary, consisting of parts of a Reclaiming Petition and some portion of a Proof that had been led in support of a brieve of service; but I got enough to enable me to give the story, which I shall do in such a connected manner as to take the reader along with me, I hope pleasantly, and without any inclination to choke upon the foresaid bones.