'John Crawford,' Crona went on, 'made love to me, promised me marriage, deserted me in a cowardly way, and I have to confess that I swore revenge. I found out about the child-stealing, and knew well that as soon as the lord of the manor died that low-browed man yonder would put in his claim. He thought, as every one else did, that I was a witch. It strikes me, your honour, I have bewitched him to good account.'
She sat down by Lotty, and even the judge could not prevent a buzz of applause.
'I will now,' said our heroine's counsel, 'produce the man who was paid to take away the child, Lotty Broxley—namely, the showman Josiah Radcliffe.'
Then Biffins Lee himself appeared, and at this moment those who had their gaze fixed upon John Crawford noticed that he turned suddenly pale, and, leaning towards his counsel, began to whisper to him in a somewhat agitated manner. His counsel immediately arose.
'My client,' he said, 'wishes to retire from the case.'
'It is time,' this from Lotty's legal adviser, for it was his turn now.
'Ha, ha, ha!' chuckled the raven. 'Set him up. Ho, ho, ho! Set him up. Joe's cross! Ho, ho, ho!'
As he left the court that day, John Crawford was tapped upon the arm by a detective.
'I hold a warrant for your arrest, John Crawford Broxley, for child-stealing.'
And so the nine days' wonder ended, and ends our story with it.