On the following morning the necklace was returned to me by Irene's
favourite lady, who smiled as she gave it to me. She was a dark-eyed,
witty, and able girl named Martina, who had been my friend for a long
while.

"The Augusta said that you were to examine this jewel to see that it has
not been changed."

"I never suggested that the Augusta was a thief," I replied, "therefore
it is unnecessary."

"She said also that I was to tell you, in case you should think that it
has been befouled by her wearing of it, that she has had it carefully
cleaned."

"That is thoughtful of her, Martina, for it needed washing. Now, will
you take the Augusta's pearls, which she left with me in error?"

"I have no orders to take any pearls, Captain Olaf, although I did
notice that two of the finest strings in the Empire are missing. Oh! you
great northern child," she added in a whisper, "keep the pearls, they
are a gift, and worth a prince's ransom; and take whatever else you can
get, and keep that too."[*]

[*] I have no further vision concerning these priceless
pearls and do not know what became of them. Perhaps I was
robbed of them during my imprisonment, or perhaps I gave
them to Heliodore or to Martina. Where are they now, I
wonder?--Editor.