Chapter 28 - Page 2

deeds have been growing in
Venice, until, of late, none have met with an untimely fate that the
blow has not been attributed to thy hand?"

"This is too true, Signor Segretario--I would it were not!"

"The ears of his highness, and of the Councils, have not been closed to
these reports, but they have long attended to the rumors with the
earnestness which becomes a paternal and careful government. If they
have suffered thee to go at large, it hath only been that there might
be no hazard of sullying the ermine of justice, by a premature and not
sufficiently supported judgment."

Jacopo bent his head, but without speaking. A smile so wild and meaning,
however, gleamed on his face at this declaration, that the permanent
officer of the secret tribunal, he who served as its organ of
communication, bowed nearly to the paper he held, as it might be to look
deeper into his documents. Let not the reader turn back to this page in
surprise, when he shall have reached the explanation of the tale, for
mysticisms quite as palpable, if not of so ruthless a character, have
been publicly acted by political bodies in his own times.

"There is now a specific and a frightful charge brought against thee,
Jacopo Frontoni," continued the secretary; "and, in tenderness of the
citizen's life, the dreaded Council itself hath taken the matter in
hand. Didst thou know a certain Antonio Vecchio, a fisherman here in our
Lagunes?"

"Signore, I knew him well of late, and much regret that it was only of
late."

"Thou knowest, too, that his body hath been found, drowned in the bay?"

Jacopo shuddered, signifying his assent merely by a sign. The effect of
this tacit acknowledgment on the youngest of the three was apparent, for
he turned to his companions, like one struck by the confession it
implied. His colleagues made dignified inclinations in return, and the
silent communication ceased.

"His death has excited discontent among his fellows, and its cause has
become a serious subject of inquiry for the illustrious Council."

"The death of the meanest man in Venice should call forth the care of
the patricians, Signore."

"Dost thou know, Jacopo, that thou art accused of being his murderer?"

"Signore, I do."

"It is said that thou earnest among the gondoliers in the late regatta,
and that, but for this aged fisherman, thou would'st have been winner of
the prize?"

"In that, rumor hath not lied, Signore."

"Thou dost not, then, deny the charge!" said the examiner, in evident
surprise.

"It is certain that, but for the fisherman, I