ythical mystery of a classical age, it is only that the witnesses I
shall produce to prove this strange thing may speak instead of myself.
Three witnesses in all, and one in particular. The one in particular,
since only truth can issue from the lips of infancy, I shall call
first. My Lord, I shall put a child, a little boy, into the witness
box that you may hear his simple story."

_Judge_. "Dear me, I hope he won't be frightened of the Lion."
(Titters in Court.)

_Mr. Gammon, K.C._ "On the contrary, my Lord, you will find he regards
it as an old friend; and, my Lord, when you have listened to what he
has to say, I think we may all realise 'that there are more things in
heaven and earth than are dreamt of in--er--philosophy.'"

_His Lordship_ (pleasantly). "I think I have heard that before."

_Mr. Gammon_ (courteously). "Your Lordship is much too well read to
have missed it." (Thereupon Mr. Gammon, K.C., sat down.)

_Judge_ (with a little snigger). "The only thing I am likely to miss
is how our _celestial_ knowledge is going to be especially advanced
this afternoon. However, the curious nature of the case as presented
possesses unlimited possibilities."

Ridgwell, having been called, walked with the utmost composure into
Court and took his place in the witness-box. He looked very tiny, but
very self-possessed, and smiled pleasantly at the Judge.

The Judge smiled pleasantly back at Ridgwell.

Mr. Gammon rose to the occasion and to his feet at one and the same
time. He permitted the pleasing impression that Ridgwell had
unconsciously created to have its full effect upon the Court, and upon
everybody present with the exception of Mr. Learned Bore, whose
countenance alone wore the disgusted and horrified expression that
might have been expected had a great green toad been introduced into
the witness-box. Mr. Learned Bore's countenance afforded a strange
study of nausea struggling against outraged dignity.

"Now, Ridgwell, do you see any one in Court that you know?"

"Yes. Lal."

"And will you tell us who Lal is?" purred Mr. Gammon.

"Yes, Lal is the Pleasant-Faced Lion. There he is," said Ridgwell.

"How do you know his name is Lal?" inquired Counsel winningly.

"He told me so himself, it is short for Lionel. Lionel is his proper
name."

"And when did this Lion Lal first speak to you?"

"Some weeks ago. The night I got lost in the fog."

This was altogether too much for Mr. Dreadful, K.C