In the hollow of the skull we found a very slender wire of sharp steel; this caused great surprise and inquiry.

The father, who was rich and a miser, had died suddenly and been buried in haste, owing, it was said, to the heat of the weather.

Suspicion once awakened, the examination became minute.
The old man's servant was questioned, and at last confessed that the son had murdered the sire.

The contrivance was ingenious; the wire was so slender that it pierced to the brain and drew but one drop of blood, which the gray hairs concealed.

The accomplice was executed." "And this stranger, did he give evidence?
Did he account for--" "No," interrupted the count, "he declared that he had by accident visited the church that morning; that he had observed the tombstone of the Count Salvolio; that his guide had told him the count's son was in Naples,--a spendthrift and a gambler.