that no one had forced an entrance into the strong-room of his
silversmith. No marks of violence were on the locks, nor on the iron
coffers which contained the gold, silver, and jewels deposited as
securities by wealthy debtors.

"If the robber opened this box," said the king, "why did he take
nothing out of it but the jewels of the Duke of Bavaria? What reason
had he for leaving that pearl necklace which lay beside them? A queer
robber!"

At that remark the unhappy miser turned pale: he and the king looked
at each other for a moment.

"Then, sire, what did that robber whom you have taken under your
protection come to do here, and why did he prowl about at night?"

"If you have not guessed why, my crony, I order you to remain in
ignorance. That is one of my secrets."

"Then the devil is in my house!" cried the miser, piteously.

In any other circumstances the king would have laughed at his
silversmith's cry; but he had suddenly become thoughtful, and was
casting on the Fleming those glances peculiar to men of talent and
power which seem to penetrate the brain. Cornelius was frightened,
thinking he had in some way offended his dangerous master.

"Devil or angel, I have him, the guilty man!" cried Louis XI.
abruptly. "If you are robbed again to-night, I shall know to-morrow
who did it. Make that old hag you call your sister come here," he