"I know you would do anything to prevent his marrying Maria," said Lady Fleetwood, now really angry. "You would swear away his life, though I am quite sure he never committed the forgery at all, and I believe you're sure of it too." "But you are sure he is Henry Hayley?" reiterated Mr. Scriven: "remember you are on your oath, Margaret." "I believe you must answer the question, Lady Fleetwood," said Mr. Hargrave. "Well, I do believe he is," said Lady Fleetwood; "but I am sure I never would have told my brother about the man coming to my house, and threatening to inform against the poor young gentleman, if he had not promised to help him." "That will do," said Mr. Scriven, coolly; and one of the magistrates inquired whether the accused had any questions to put to the witness. Henry, however, declined; and as Lady Fleetwood was retiring, he took her hand, saying in a kindly tone-- "Do not agitate yourself, my dear lady. You have not done me the slightest harm." "I am very glad of it," replied Lady Fleetwood, warmly; "for I am sure I did it all with the best intentions." "I suppose you have other evidence to produce, Mr. Scriven?" said Mr. Hargrave. Mr. Scriven hesitated. He felt he was coming upon the most dangerous part of his case; for, though he had been bold in anticipation, he was less so in act. Mr. Hargrave, however, continued:-- "I must look upon the testimony of Mr. Marston, that Colonel Middleton has long gone under the name he now bears, and is believed to be entitled to it by persons who have not only known him from youth, but have had the best means of and strongest motives for ascertaining who he is, and for resisting his pretensions if they were false, as something very positive; against which we have a mere expression of belief on the other side. We must have something more, sir, to satisfy us." "Besides, I want to hear something about this man who used threats," said Colonel Mandrake. "I am coming to that this moment," said Mr. Scriven, seeing that he must necessarily proceed if he was determined to succeed, and remembering that his companion, Mr. Stolterforth, was well aware that he had what appeared strong corroborative evidence against the man whom he accused. "I think I have proved sufficiently that the likeness is so strong as to justify reasonable suspicion; and I must observe that you have not heard one witness yet who, having known the defendant more than ten years under the name of Middleton, can establish that he is not the same man as Henry Hayley. I therefore think you would be justified in granting a warrant against him; but I will produce further evidence if it be needful." Here the clerk whispered a word or two to Mr. Hargrave, who inquired, apparently in consequence-- "Pray, Mr. Scriven, under what circumstances was the warrant against this said Henry Hayley quashed or dropped?"