this story impugns the identity--and more than the identity--of Queen Elizabeth, one of the most famous and glorious rulers whom the world has seen, and hints at an explanation of circumstances in the life of that monarch which have long puzzled historians, will entitle it to the most serious consideration. In short, if it be true, its investigation will tend to disclose the greatest imposture known to history; and to this end no honest means should be neglected. B. S. CONTENTS CHAPTER PAGE I. PRETENDERS 1 A. Perkin Warbeck 3 B. The Hidden King 17 C. Stephan Mali 31 D. The False Dauphins 36 E. Princess Olive 49 II. PRACTITIONERS OF MAGIC 69 A. Paracelsus 71 B. Cagliostro 80 C. Mesmer 95 III. THE WANDERING JEW 107 IV. JOHN LAW 123 V. WITCHCRAFT AND CLAIRVOYANCE 145 A. Witches 147 B. Doctor Dee 155 C. La Voisin 164 D. Sir Edward Kelley 175 E. Mother Damnable 182 F. Matthew Hopkins 190 VI. ARTHUR ORTON (Tichborne claimant) 201 VII. WOMEN AS MEN 227 A. The Motive for Disguise 227 B. Hannah Snell 231 C. La Maupin 235 D. Mary East 241 VIII. HOAXES, ETC. 249 A. Two London Hoaxes 249 B. The Cat Hoax 255 C. The Military Review 256 D. The Toll-Gate 256 E. The Marriage Hoax 257 F. Buried Treasure 258 G. Dean Swift’s Hoax 259 H. Hoaxed Burglars 260 I. Bogus Sausages 260 J. The Moon Hoax 262 IX. CHEVALIER D’EON 269 X. THE BISLEY BOY 283 ILLUSTRATIONS Queen Elizabeth as a Young Woman _Frontispiece_ FACING PAGE Perkin Warbeck 4 Edward IV as a Young Man 12 Olivia Serres 50