iment with the dog, Prince, proved that I was correct in guessing
where the poison lay hidden."

"It is impossible to express my sense of your amazing goodness, or my
gratitude, or my admiration for your genius," declared Sir Walter; but
the other contradicted him.

"Genius is a great word to which I can lay no claim. I have done nothing
at all that you yourself might not have done, given the same knowledge.
As for gratitude, if indeed that is not too strong an expression also,
you can show gratitude in a very simple manner, dear friend. I am a
practical, old man and, to be honest, I very greatly covet the Borgia
bed and chairs. Now, if indeed you feel that I am not asking too grand
a favor--a favor out of all keeping with my good offices on your
behalf--then let me purchase the bed and chairs, and convey them with me
home to Rome. It is seemly that they should return to Rome, is it not?
Rome would welcome them. I much desire to sleep in that bed--to be where
I am so sure Prince Djem lay when he breathed his last. Yes, believe me,
he received your bed as a gracious present from Alexander VI. The Borgia
were generous of such gifts."

"The bed and chairs are yours, my dear signor, and the rest of the
contents of the Grey Room, also, if you esteem them in any way."

"Positively I could not, Sir Walter."

"Indeed you shall. It is done, and leaves me greatly your debtor still."

"Then be it so. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Nor will I say
that you oppress me with such extraordinary generosity, for is it not
more blessed to give than receive? Heavens knows what dark evils the bed
may have committed in the course of its career, but its activities are
at an end. For me it shall bring no more than honest slumber. But the
mattress--no. I do not want the mattress. That will be a nice present
for the museum of your Royal College of Surgeons."

A week later the old man was sufficiently rested, and he returned home,
taking his treasures with him. But he did not depart until he had won
a promise that Sir Walter and Mary would visit him at Rome within the
year.

Experts again descended upon Chadlands, packed the source of tribulation
with exceeding care, and conveyed it to London for examination. Those
destined to make the inquiry were much alive to their perils, and took
no risk.

Six weeks later letters passed between England and Rome, and Sir
Walter wrote to Signor Mannetti, sending such details as he was able t