The sound of Nina’s voice drew the princess’s attention to Derby, and she, too, started toward him.

“John!  What does it all mean?” she exclaimed, quite unconscious that she had called him by his first name.

“It means a rotten plot—­neither more nor less—­to ruin Prince Sansevero, concocted by a man whom the prince believed to be his friend!  The Duke Scorpa has just died, which ends the affair for him, but I have the whole chain of evidence that clears the prince.  The picture was taken in exchange for a promissory note of the prince’s, for one hundred thousand lire.  The duke tore the paper up and threw it into the waste-paper basket.  Luigi Callucci, who was his servant, gathered the scraps out of the basket and pasted them together.  This same Luigi also wrapped up the picture and carried it to Shayne.  That’s all, officially.  Actually, there is a good deal more.  The facts are that the duke sold it with perfect knowledge that it was to be smuggled out of the country.  I have all the information necessary.”

“It is incredible, incredible—­the duke Scorpa!” exclaimed Valdeste.  “But that the Prince Sansevero is cleared is the main thing.”  Then, turning to Derby, he continued, “I hope you will allow me to express to you my admiration and congratulation for the way in which you have brought it about.”

Upon this the princess joined the marchese by holding her hand out to Derby.  “I never can thank you enough for what you have done!  But for you, we should be in a very bad way.  I quite agree with the Archbishop of Vencata that you must be a miracle worker!” Her voice was a little tremulous as she broke off.  Then, including the marchese also, she added:  “But now, my good, kind friends, go, please, and get Sandro out of his situation.  My poor boy must be in a terrible state of nerves.  And—­thank you both again!”

The marchese and Derby hurried out, Derby carrying the picture.  Nina followed them out of the door and stood looking after them until they had disappeared down the vista of rooms.  Then she exclaimed:  “Really, John is wonderful, isn’t he?  Wasn’t it just like him not to say a word all the time!  So many people talk, and do nothing!” Then Nina noticed that the princess was holding her hands over her face.  She hurried to her anxiously.  “Aunt Eleanor, what is it?”

The princess put her hands down.  “I am just thankful—­that is all.  It threatened to be so dreadful, I can scarcely realize the relief yet.  What a chain of circumstances!  It is almost impossible to believe that even Scorpa would plan them!  But it is true I never trusted him.  When there is a race feud over here it seems never to die out.”  She paused a few moments, and then continued as though half to herself, “Although, in this case, I think it was chiefly on account of Giovanni.  If you had married him, and the duke had lived, I believe he would have spent the rest of his life in scheming to injure you and everybody connected with us.”