“Thou hast more,” observed the judge, signing with his hand as he spoke; “let us see all thou hast.”

“Not a brooch, or so much as a worthless garnet.”

“Nay, I see the belt which contains them among the hairs of the dog.”

Maso either felt or feigned a well-acted surprise.  Nettuno had been placed in a convenient attitude for his master to unloosen the belt, and, as it was the intention of the latter to replace it, the animal still lay quietly in the same position, a circumstance which displaced his shaggy coat, and allowed the chatelain to detect the object to which he had just alluded.

“Signore,” said the smuggler, changing color but endeavoring to speak lightly of a discovery which all the others present evidently considered to be grave, “it would seem that the dog, accustomed to do these little offices in behalf of his master, has been tempted by success to undertake a speculation on his own account.  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.

“A cross of turquoise of the length of two inches, with pearls of no great value intermixed,” continued the judge.

Sigismund groaned and turned away from the table.

“Unhappily, here is that which too well answers to the description!” slowly and with evident reluctance, escaped from the Signor Grimaldi.

“Let it be measured,” demanded the prisoner.

The experiment was made, and the agreement was found to be perfect

“Bracelets of rubies, the stones set in foil, and six in number,” continued the methodical chatelain, whose eye now lighted with the triumph of victory.

“These are wanting!” cried Melchior de Willading, who, in common with all whom he had served, took a lively interest in the fate of Maso.  “There are no jewels of this description here!”