A faint cry escaped Fra Antonio, and he put his hands before his face.

There was a moment of breathless silence; but no compassion anywhere upon all those strained and eager faces, except in the eyes of Fra Paolo, which seemed divine in pity, as he drew nearer the guilty man and put his arm about him to steady him.

“These,” said the Chief of the Ten, “fine grapes and wheaten bread, exquisitely flavored with a most precious powder, thou shalt presently enjoy in this presence,—­with the compliments of the Signoria, who have most carefully considered this repast,—­unless thou dost instantly make frank and full confession of thy deed and thine accomplices.

“And if more be to thy taste,” the cruel voice went on, for no answer came, “since in these matters thou hast a consummate knowledge—­thou art permitted, by grace of the Signoria, to use the contents of this packet, which hath been found within the lining of thy cassock.  This powder hath a marvelous power to still the blood which floweth over-swiftly——­”

“We have proof more than sufficient for the arrest, your Excellency,” interposed the officer of the guards, as he gave the signal.  “And no deposition can be taken here, for the man hath fainted from his fright.”

But almost unnoticed the guards bore their burden from the cloister to the gondola of the prisons of the Piombi; for it had taken but a moment to complete the unfinished tale in the minds of the listeners, and with one accord they were gathering about Fra Paolo, eager to express their loyalty, their indignation, their gratitude for his escape.

The court was in a tumult.  “Fra Paolo!” “Our Fra Paolo!” mingled with bursts of vehement condemnation and rapid questions.  “Our Consultore!” “And because he is necessary to Venice!”

The chimes of the chapel sounding joyously broke in upon these demonstrations, and two little choristers came running back to tell them that, by order of Fra Gianmaria, a Te Deum for the safety of Fra Paolo would be sung, in lieu of the interrupted vesper service.

“The Signoria hath had warnings without end,” the Chief of the Ten was explaining hastily to Father Gianmaria, as they strolled toward the chapel.  “The Holy Father wanteth him out of Venice, since he hath been Consultore—­for the man is a marvel!  But he would rather have him alive than dead—­as the learned Scioppius hath explained, not long since, to Fra Paolo himself!  And this whole plot hath been unveiled to us by one who watcheth secretly in Rome for the interest of Venice, since there hath been no open communication.  It was hatched in the Orsini palace, in that holy city, not unknown to some of their Eminences; the chief accomplices are friars—­we have the names of the other two; and Piero Salin is on the watch.  The stakes are high for the friars’ game—­five thousand scudi apiece and a promise of Church preferment; but Piero Salin hath ways of doing his duty!  The Senate will send orders for the better protection of its Consultore; meanwhile let him not venture forth without two ducal guards.”