'What rods? What do you mean, Sir?'
'The rods with which you stirred the molten metal. I saw all.'
'Did you not yourself examine all my utensils?'
'These rods were not those we examined.'
'Not those! Master, permit me——'
'Have I not told you I saw everything?' repeated Leonardo with a smile. 'Be not obstinate, Galeotto. The gold was concealed in hollow rods tipped with wood. When the wooden ends were consumed in the molten mass, the gold fell into it.'
The old man's legs shook; over his face spread a look at once abject and pathetic. Leonardo touched him on the shoulder.
'Fear not, Messer Galeotto, none shall know. I am no tale-bearer.'
The impostor seized his hand feverishly and cried:—
'You will not betray me?'