The dog sprang down off the couch at once and shook himself in readiness. No doubt he thought he was going to find Lotty. Antony took a strong flashlight with him, and after telling Mary of his intentions, started off at once. Until well into the very depths of the forest the road was by no means difficult to follow; but it was dangerous from the falling branches, while the roar of the wind among the lofty pines was bewildering. But for Wallace he would certainly have failed to keep upon the little winding footpath. But the trees that Chops had blazed assisted him considerably, and after a tiresome march he came out into the open and could now see the blinking light in the witch's window. He was soon near enough to hear the yapping of the startled fox, and when he reached the door and knocked he speedily heard Crona behind it asking in Scotch, 'Fa [who] be ye that knocks sae bauldly at an auld body's door at this untimeous oor o' nicht?' 'It is me, Crona. Me--Antony Blake.' Then the door was opened, and the light of the blazing fire fell upon his face. When he told his story she was not nearly so much astonished as he expected she would be. 'Something told me what would happen,' she replied smiling; 'and I tell you now, Frank Antony Blake, to keep up your heart, for Lotty will return.' 'Oh, Crona, if I could but believe it! But tell me, now that we are alone, have you really the gift of second-sight?' Said Crona in reply, 'There is no gift about it, dear boy, though to ignorant people who consult me on their future I might put on airs of mystery, and say: 'Tis the sunset of life gives me mystical lore, And coming events cast their shadows before.' Antony held his peace. 'To you,' she added, 'I tell the truth, that palmistry, even prophecy, if you like to call it so, is only the outcome of long study and science. I know you are fond of your playmate, boy, for you are little else; well, pray if you like, for there is One who heareth prayer.' 'Oh, I have prayed, Crona, ever so much, all the way through the forest. But you give me a little hope, and I am so glad I have come.' 'Lotty will return,' Crona said again. And Antony was now smiling. 'Think you she has been picked up by some vessel already?' She did not answer immediately. The blazing peat and wood sent darting tongues of flame up through the blue-white smoke, and it was at these the witch was gazing. 'I can see the dear bairn at this moment,' she said. 'Lotty is crouching under the bows of her boat, and this is riding to the lee of something, I cannot tell you what. That is all you or I will know to-night.' Then she placed her hand on the back of his, and smoothed, patted, and stroked it. It may have been some magnetic influence, or it may not; but true it is that from that moment Antony mourned no more for Lotty, only hoped. But now she began to speak of himself, and told him much as she looked at his palm about his past and not a little about his future.