The coroner held aloft the slim weapon which had been found protruding from Victor Ballau’s heart.
A. “Yes, without a doubt.”
Q. “Were you there when the purchase was made?”
A. “Yes.”
Q. “What was said at the time?”
A. “We discussed the dagger. Mr. Ballau was always a collector. I remember his enthusiasm over the weapon. He declared it an excellent piece of workmanship and wondered over its history.”
Q. “What did you say, Mr. Meyerson?”
A. “We discussed the sinister history which undoubtedly was attached to the dagger. It had been, according to my information, one of the weapons Catherine De Medici carried into France with her. As such it had unquestionably been in many a bloody drama.”
Q. “Was Mr. Ballau alone when the purchase was made?”
A. “He came in alone but as we were talking Julien De Medici entered. He joined us in our discussion over the weapon, contributing to its sinister and romantic past.”