"
The Doge began to have a dawning of the truth, and he cast a glance
aside to examine the countenance of the unknown inquisitor.
"It is far easier to understand the merits of the unfortunate man, than
the manner of his death," he said, finding no explanation in the drilled
members of the face he had scrutinized. "Will any of your party explain
the facts?"
The principal speaker among the fishermen willingly took on himself the
office, and, in the desultory manner of one of his habits, he acquainted
the Doge with the circumstances connected with the finding of the body.
When he had done, the prince again asked explanations, with his eye,
from the senator at his side, for he was ignorant whether the policy of
the state required an example, or simply a death."
"I see nothing in this, your highness," observed he of the council, "but
the chances of a fisherman. The unhappy old man has come to his end by
accident, and it would be charity to have a few masses said for his
soul."
"Noble senator!" exclaimed the fisherman, doubtingly, "St. Mark was
offended!"
"Rumor tells many idle tales of the pleasure and displeasure of St.
Mark, If we are to believe all that the wit of men can devise, in
affairs of this nature, the criminals are not drowned in the Lagunes,
but in the Canale Orfano."
"True, eccellenza, and we are forbidden to cast our nets there, on pain
of sleeping with the eels at its bottom.
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