e
unanimous in declaring that they had spent the evening with Ruggiero
Mocenigo, and that he did not leave the room, from the moment of his
arrival there soon after nine o'clock, until they left him at two in
the morning.

"You have heard my witnesses," Ruggiero said, when the last had given
his testimony; "and I now ask your excellencies, whether it is right
that a gentleman, of good family, should be exposed to a villainous
accusation of this kind, on the barest grounds of suspicion?"

"You have heard the evidence which has been given, Signor Polani," the
doge said. "Do you withdraw your accusation against Signor Mocenigo?"

"I acknowledge, your excellency," Signor Polani said, rising, "that
Ruggiero Mocenigo has proved that he took no personal part in the
affair, but I will submit to you that this in no way proves that he is
not the author of the attempt. He would know that my first suspicion
would fall upon him, and would, therefore, naturally leave the matter
to be carried out by others, and would take precautions to enable him
to prove, as he has done, that he was not present. I still maintain
that the circumstances of the case, his threats to me, and the fact
that my daughter will naturally inherit a portion of what wealth I
might possess, and that, as I know and can prove, Ruggiero Mocenigo has
been lately reduced to borrowing money of the Jews, all point to his
being the author of this attempt, which would at once satisfy his anger
against me, for having declined the honour of his alliance, and repair
his damaged fortunes."

There were a few words of whispered consultation between the
councillors, and the doge then said:

"All present will now retire while the council deliberates. Our
decision will be made known to the parties concerned, in due time."

On leaving the palace, Signor Polani and his friends walked together
across the Piazza, discussing the turn of events.

"He will escape," Polani said. "He has two near relations on the
council, and however strong our suspicions may be, there is really no
proof against him. I fear that he will go free. I feel as certain as
ever that he is the contriver of the attempt; but the precautions he
has taken seem to render it impossible to bring the crime home to him.
However, it is no use talking about it any more, at present.

"You will, I hope, accompany me home, Signor Francisco, and allow me to
present you formally to my daughters. They were too much agitate