"'Given at Paris, the 25th of May after noon, 1672. Signed by Sainte-Croix,'
"And below were written these words: 'There is one packet only addressed to M. Penautier which should be delivered.'"
It may be easily understood that a disclosure of this kind only increased the interest of the scene; there was a murmur of curiosity, and when silence again reigned, the official continued in these words:
"A packet has been found sealed in eight different places with eight different seals. On this is written: 'Papers to be burnt in case of my death, of no consequence to anyone. I humbly beg those into whose hands they may fall to burn them. I give this as a charge upon their conscience; all without opening the packet.' In this packet we find two parcels of sublimate.
"Item, another packet sealed with six different seals, on which is a similar inscription, in which is found more sublimate, half a pound in weight.
"Item, another packet sealed with six different seals, on which is a similar inscription, in which are found three parcels, one containing half an ounce of sublimate, the second 2 1/4 ozs. of Roman vitriol, and the third some calcined prepared vitriol. In the box was found a large square phial, one pint in capacity, full of a clear liquid, which was looked at by M. Moreau, the doctor; he, however, could not tell its nature until it was tested.
"Item, another phial, with half a pint of clear liquid with a white sediment, about which Moreau said the same thing as before.
"Item, a small earthenware pot containing two or three lumps of prepared opium.
"Item, a folded paper containing two drachms of corrosive sublimate powdered.
"Next, a little box containing a sort of stone known as infernal stone.