“Oh, it is no discovery of mine,” I said calmly. “I have merely followed where St. Hilary led.”
“As a dealer in antiquities I am naturally interested in curiosities, even in curious chambers.”
“All the same, your knowledge of my palace is rather extraordinary–even for a dealer in antiquities,” cried the duke.
St. Hilary took the lighted candle from the servant.
“If you were a better Venetian,” he retorted, “and were familiar with the archives of the Frari, you would know that the Inquisition of Venice had plans of every palace in the city. I happen to have examined them. That is all.”
“But your Excellency will observe,” said old Luigi unconcernedly, “that the room is quite empty.”
“Yes, yes,” agreed the dealer, pushing us gently without.
“No, not quite,” I said, looking at him keenly. “What is this on the shelf here?”
“A clock!” exclaimed Jacqueline.