"Why, I found it with other weapons—which belonged to my father."
"Ah! by the way, have you heard aught of the charges made by a young woman with respect to Comte Léodgard?"
"Not until this morning, monseigneur."
"You do not give credit to them, do you?"
"How can I do so, monseigneur, when I know that it was I who wounded the count, in a duel?"
"Very true. Let me look at this sword which came to you from your father; I am curious to examine it."
Jarnonville detached the weapon from his belt and handed it, in the scabbard, to Richelieu; but he unsheathed it, and read in gilt letters on the steel the name Giovanni. Without making a sign, the cardinal instantly replaced the sword in its scabbard, saying:
"Do you think that Comte Léodgard's wound is dangerous, Sire de Jarnonville?"
At that moment a clock on the mantel shelf struck twelve; the chevalier listened, then replied:
"The Comte de Marvejols no longer lives!"