John Crawford sat in court that morning; no more confident nor self-satisfied individual was present. He was beaming and effulgent. A man of about six-and-thirty, he was good-looking, well-groomed, and well set-up. He leant back in his seat and complacently watched the proceedings. He believed that these would utterly collapse after a witness or two had been examined. But the other side had employed probably the most eminent counsel in this country, and the judge himself looked the quintessence of earnest justice. The counsel for the other claimant, John's opponent, was very calm and quiet. He began, indeed, by stating that there was no nearer heir to the estates than John Crawford Broxley, and if reports as to his character were to be credited, he was a _vir probus et virtutis_, or had been for many years. Unfortunately for him, however, there were certain antecedents that he, counsel, would have to mention for the consideration of the judge. But, nevertheless, the fact remained that John was the nearest heir to Broxley Towers---- The great lawyer paused a few seconds, and many in the court thought that he was about to surrender his case or throw up his brief--'Provided,' he continued 'there was no nearer heir.' He would now have the pleasure of bringing forward as the claimant a young lady whom he could prove was the daughter of the deceased's brother. There was a buzz of excitement and admiration in the court when--led by Crona the witch, who leant on a long staff and had her raven Joe on her shoulder--Lotty herself, looking radiantly pretty, entered and took her seat shyly beside her fairy godmother. 'This,' proceeded the counsel, 'is the girl who, as a child of some two and a half years, was stolen from the lord of the manor and Broxley Towers.' John Crawford at this moment lost a good deal of his nonchalance, and leant forward on the bench, eagerly scanning Lotty's face. Birth-marks on the child's side and left arm were then described, and it seemed to be tacitly admitted that if Lotty had these marks, which were very peculiar, she was undoubtedly the long-lost child. Captain Paterson of the _Nor'lan' Star_ was a witness now called and questioned, but not cross-examined. He knew Maggie Dyer, nurse at Broxley Hall to the child who would be the nearest heir to the estates on the death of the then lord of the manor. He had known Maggie long before then. Whenever his ship was paid off he used to run down to Broxley, and a friend of his, now first-mate of the _Nor'lan' Star_, used always to accompany him. 'You were supposed to be wooing Maggie?' said the judge. 'There was precious little supposition about it, my lord.' 'Why did you take the mate with you? It is not usual for a man going a-wooing to take a male companion with him.' 'Only for company's sake, sir. Nothing a sailor hates more than a tedious journey by rail with no one to speak to.' 'Did you go to the Hall?'