"While you are choosing, I will have a look round at all these
curiosities, Miguel," the youngest of the men remarked.
"As you like; I shan't be long, Diniz."
Sampayo nodded, and commenced his search, turning over every object
that took his fancy, aided by Miriam.
"I will show you something very curious--a poignard strangely
fashioned," the girl said, drawing the weapon her grandfather had just
bought from its hiding place.
Diniz took it up and examined it attentively, then a low cry broke
from his lips, and his face grew pale.
"Where did you get this?"
"I have just bought it. It is a very pretty toy for a gentleman,"
Phenee broke in persuasively.
With almost eager haste Diniz bargained for the poignard, and at last
managed to bring the Jew down to ten times the sum he had given the
fisherman.
After his friend, Miguel Reale, had chosen the jewels he wanted, Diniz
hurried him away.
Not many hours later, as the young Jewess sat alone, her grandfather
having gone some distance off on business, she was startled by Sampayo
suddenly reappearing, a look of intense anxiety on his face.
"Senora," he said politely, drawing from his breast the poignard, "can
you tell me from whom your father bought this?"
"I do not know his name, but I believe he is a fisherman and lives in
yonder village," Miriam answered simply.
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