"Luigi Vittorio Vermicelli."
"Where were you born?"
"At Brescia, in the north of Italy."
"How old are you,—and where did you work before you gave the Earl the benefit of your services?"
"Thirty-two. I was valet to a prominent banker in Venice."
"Ever been in jail?"
"Why, er,—yes," and the Italian became embarrassed. "I was arrested for intoxication once just before I left Venice; but I was imprisoned for only ten days."
"So you fell off the water-wagon, eh,—even in the watery city?" commented Holmes. "Well, were you sober when you put away the Earl's shirt last night, with the diamond cuff-buttons in it,—that is, sober enough to notice that the buttons were really there in the cuffs?"
"Oh, yes, sir. I am quite sure that the cuff-buttons must have been stolen during the night."
"Did you hear any noise Sunday night to indicate that burglars were getting in?"