“This is more plausible than convincing.  Thou art signalled as being accustomed to transport articles of the jewellers from Geneva into the adjoining states, and thou art known to come from the head-quarters of these artisans.  Thy losses must have been unusual, to have left thee so naked.  I much fear that a bootless speculation in thy usual trade has driven thee to repair the loss by the murder of this unhappy man, who left his home well supplied with gold, and, as it would seem, with a valuable store of jewelry, too.  The particulars are especially mentioned in this written account of his effects, which the honorable bailiff bringeth from his friends.”

Maso mused silently, and in deep abstraction.  He then desired that the chapel might be cleared of all but the travellers of condition, the monks, and his judges.  The request was granted, for it was expected that he was about to make an important confession, as indeed, in a certain degree, proved to be the fact.

“Should I clear myself of the charge of poverty, Signor Castellano,” he demanded, when all the inferiors had left the place, “shall I stand acquitted in your eyes of the charge of murder?”

“Surely not:  still thou wilt have removed one of the principal grounds of temptation, and in that thou wilt be greatly the gainer, for we know that Jacques Colis hath been robbed as well as slain.”

Maso appeared to deliberate again, as a man is apt to pause before he takes a step that may materially affect his interests.  But suddenly deciding, like a man of prompt opinions, he called to Nettuno, and, seating himself on the steps of one of the side-altars, he proceeded to make his revelation with great method and coolness.  Removing some of the long shaggy hair of the dog, Il Maledetto showed the attentive and curious spectators that a belt of leather had been ingeniously placed about the body of the animal, next its skin.  It was so concealed as to be quite hid from the view of those who did not make particular search, a process that Nettuno, judging by the scowling looks he threw at most present, and the manner in which he showed his teeth, would not be likely to permit to a stranger.  The belt was opened, and Maso laid a glittering necklace of precious stones, in which rubies and emeralds vied with other gems of price, with some of a dealer’s coquetry, under the strong light of the lamp.

“There you see the fruits of a life of hazards and hardships, Signor Chatelain,” he said; “if my purse is empty, it is because the Jewish Calvinists of Geneva have taken the last liard in payment of the jewels.”

“This is an ornament of rare beauty and exceeding value, to be seen in the possession of one of thy appearance and habits, Maso!” exclaimed the frugal Valaisan.

“Signore, its cost was a hundred doppie of pure gold and full weight, and it is contracted for with a young noble of Milano, who hopes to win his mistress by the present, for a profit of fifty.  Affairs were getting low with me in consequence of sundry seizures and a total wreck, and I took the adventure with the hope of sudden and great gain.  As there is nothing against the laws of Valais in the matter, I trust to stand acquitted, chatelain, for my frankness.  One who was master of this would be little likely to shed blood for the trifle that would be found on the person of Jacques Colis.”