"What a curious poignard, and how pretty!" Miriam said, lifting it from the scales, where Phenee had placed it. "I am surprised he took so little for it."
"I'm not. One can't offer too little for stolen goods."
"Do you think this is stolen?"
"I am sure it is. That man never came honestly by it."
Scarcely had the poignard been put on one side, when two young men, handsomely dressed, entered the shop, and asked for some emeralds.
"While you are choosing, I will have a look round at all these curiosities, Miguel," the youngest of the men remarked.
"As you like; I shan't be long, Diniz."
Sampayo nodded, and commenced his search, turning over every object that took his fancy, aided by Miriam.
"I will show you something very curious—a poignard strangely fashioned," the girl said, drawing the weapon her grandfather had just bought from its hiding place.
Diniz took it up and examined it attentively, then a low cry broke from his lips, and his face grew pale.