By my patron saint and the Virgin! I
know nothing of this second adventure."
"Trifle not, but undo the belt, lest I have the beast muzzled that it may
be performed by others." sternly commanded the chatelain.
The Italian complied, though with an ill grace that was much too apparent
for his own interest. Having loosened the fastenings, he reluctantly gave
the envelope to the Valaisan. The latter cut the cloth, and laid some ten
or fifteen different pieces of jewelry on the table. The spectators
crowded about the spot in curiosity, while the judge eagerly referred to
the written description of the effects of the murdered man.
"A ring of brilliants, with an emerald of price, the setting chased and
heavy," read the Valaisan.
"Thank God, it is not here!" exclaimed the Signor Grimaldi. "One could
wish to find so true a mariner innocent of this bloody deed!"
The chatelain believed he was on the scent of a secret that had begun to
perplex him, and as few are so inherently humane as to prefer the
advantage of another to their own success, he heard both the announcement
and the declaration of the noble Genoese with a frown.
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