"Ebbene," murmured the Italian; "we shall see."
"What do you say, sir?"
"I say," replied Ferrari, coolly, "that the scarf-pin was mine, and I gave it to--to--your son."
"To my son," shrieked Mrs. Belk, her pale face growing yet paler; "but I found the diamond on the terrace."
"Per Bacco! Who loses finds."
Mrs. Belk kept silent for a moment, overwhelmed by the thought of the perilous position in which she had placed her son, for in a single instant she saw all; then, staggering against the wall, she gave a cry which was scarcely human in its agony.
Scarcely had it died away, when hurried footsteps were heard, and the door was dashed open to admit Samson Belk, with a look of astonishment on his face.
"Mother! what is the matter? Mrs. Belswin?"
"Yes!" said Mrs. Belswin, advancing a step, "we have come----"
The mother saw the movement, and with a shriek of jealous rage, darted between them, and flung herself into her son's arms.