"Cospetto! I believe so!"
"And Belk must have lost it on the terrace."
"Doubtless, signor."
"Great heavens!" said Archie, violently, "his own mother found it. If he committed the crime he is betrayed to the law by his own mother."
"Through ignorance," interposed Mrs. Belswin, quickly.
"Nevertheless it hands her son over to justice. Oh, it's horrible! it's horrible!" and the young man covered his face with his hands.
"I regret this sorrow, signor," said Ferrari, composedly. "Dio, it is a tragedy like Lucrezia Borgia. But I have told you the truth."
"Yes, yes!" muttered Maxwell, resuming his seat; "you could not make up such a horrible thing."
"As to myself, signor," resumed Ferrari, quietly, "if you think a doubt of me, the man of the osteria will tell you I was in the casa on that night."
"You can prove an alibi?"