I did not read those evidences because I had no occasion to--I was made familiar with them in the time of this claimant's father and of my own father forty years ago.

This fellow's predecessors have kept mine more or less familiar with them for close upon a hundred and fifty years.

The truth is, the rightful heir did go to America, with the Fairfax heir or about the same time--but disappeared--somewhere in the wilds of Virginia, got married, end began to breed savages for the Claimant market; wrote no letters home; was supposed to be dead; his younger brother softly took possession; presently the American did die, and straightway his eldest product put in his claim--by letter--letter still in existence--and died before the uncle in-possession found time--or maybe inclination--to -- answer.

The infant son of that eldest product grew up--long interval, you see--and he took to writing letters and furnishing evidences.

Well, successor after successor has done the same, down to the present idiot.
It was a succession of paupers; not one of them was ever able to pay his passage to England or institute suit.