“And from whom?” said his Highness, instantly recognising the ring.
“May it please your Highness, I do not know. I have also received another ring, your Highness,” continued I, taking off the ring given me by the black domino.
“And who gave you this?” interrogated the Duke, again evidently recognising it.
“May it please your Highness, I do not know. Also, this stiletto, but from whom, I must again repeat, I do not know. Also, this packet, with directions to put it into a dead man’s bosom.”
“And you are, I presume, equally ignorant of the party who gave it to you?”
“Equally so, your Highness; as ignorant as I am of the party who desired me to present you with the other packet which I delivered. Here is also a paper I was desired to pin upon a man’s clothes after I had assassinated him.”
“Indeed!—and to this, also, you plead total ignorance?”
“I have but one answer to give to all, your Highness, which is, I do not know.”
“Perhaps, Sir, you do not know your own name or profession,” observed his Highness, with a sneer.
“Yes, your Highness,” replied I, taking off my mask, “that I do know. I am an Englishman, and, I trust, a gentleman, and a man of honour. My name is Herbert; and I have more than once had the honour to be a guest at your Highness’s entertainments.”