There had been in their family a very sacred heirloom in the form of an amulet or charm.

Their forefathers had believed that it came from Jerusalem before their nation lost the holy city; but he himself did not think that this could be true; he only knew that it was ancient, and possessed very valuable properties as a talisman to those who knew how to use it.

About five years before, his sister, who was beautiful and wayward, had loved and married a French sea-captain.

The father cursed his daughter, but the mother could not let her go from them under the fear of this curse, and she hung the amulet about her neck as a safeguard.

Alas for such safeguard! in a few weeks the captain's ship was wrecked, and all on her were drowned.