"Yes, the signora tells me that is his name. Well, this large one orders me away from the place. I say 'no,' and he would fight me--the box, signor, you understand. I am not afraid, and I tell him I am not afraid. Then he says, 'I will put you in prison because you are on the estate of Seer Ruperts.' At this I fear. I know not the English laws, so I say, 'Addio, I will go,' but he, signor, answers, 'Not so.' Then what am I to do? I cannot fight that large man; I have not the box. I do not know the English laws, and he may truly place me in prison for being on the grounds of Seer Ruperts. Then, signor, I think, 'Aha, the money!' but not he refuses the money. Again I say, 'Signor, I will give you my pin of diamonds if you let me depart.' He says, 'Alright.' I give him the pin of diamonds. I go away; and that, signor, is all I am informed of." "But, signor," cried Maxwell, jumping to his feet in a state of uncontrollable agitation, "by this story the diamond pin was in the possession of Belk." "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?" "But I do not understand, signor," said the Italian, in a perplexed tone, looking inquiringly at Mrs. Belswin. "Oh yes, he can prove an alibi," said that lady, quickly. "The landlord of The Chequers can give evidence as to his being in the house all night." "I did take a leetle walk." "A walk!" ejaculated Maxwell, lifting his head. "But I returned at ten hours," finished Ferrari, triumphantly. "No, signor, I have nothing to do with this death. I can swear it to your police. The man I spoke to had my diamond. It is found on the terrace. Ebbene! He alone can have lost it there." "What motive could Belk have for killing Sir Rupert?" muttered Maxwell to himself. "Eh, who knows?"