"You
are doubtless acquainted with the nature of the deed by which our
great-grandfathers agreed to transfer the titles and property to
the younger of the two. When we first spoke of the matter I was
not aware of the existence of a saving clause. I cannot suppose
you ignorant of it. That clause provided that if Leone Saracinesca
married and had a lawful heir, the deed should be null and void.
He did marry, as you know. I am his direct descendant, and have
children of my own by my first marriage. I cannot therefore allow
the clause in question to remain in abeyance any longer. With all
due respect to you, I am obliged to tell you quite frankly that,
in law, I am Prince Saracinesca."
Having thus stated his position as plainly as possible, San
Giacinto folded his great hands upon his knee and leaned against
the back of his chair. Saracinesca looked as though he were about
to make some hasty answer, but he controlled his intention and
rose to his feet. After walking twice up and down the room, he
came and stood in front of his cousin.
"Let us be plain in what we say," he began. "I give you my word
that, until Montevarchi sent back those papers the other day, I
did not know what they contained. I had not read them for thirty
years, and at that time the clause escaped me.
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