w often
returned my torments! for each of my customers told me the story, one
more frightfully than another; yet not one could tell it half so
horribly as it had seemed to me. About mid-day, an officer of justice
unexpectedly walked into my shop, and asked me to clear it of the
bystanders.

"Signor Zaleukos," said he, showing me the articles I had lost,
"belong these things to you?" I reflected whether I should not
entirely disown them; but when I saw through the half-opened door, my
landlord and several acquaintances, who could readily testify against
me, I determined not to make the matter worse by a falsehood, and
acknowledged the articles exhibited as my own. The officer told me to
follow him, and conducted me to a spacious building, which I soon
recognised as the prison. Then, a little farther on, he showed me into
an apartment.

My situation was terrible, as I reflected on it in my solitude. The
thought of having committed a murder, even against my wish, returned
again and again. Moreover, I could not conceal from myself that the
glance of the gold had dazzled my senses; otherwise I would not have
fallen so blindly into the snare.

Two hours after my arrest, I was led from my chamber, and after
descending several flights of stairs, entered a spacious saloon.
Around a long table hung with black, were seated twelve men, mostly
gray with age. Along the side of the room, benches were arranged, on
which were seated the first people of Florence. In the gallery, which
was built quite high, stood the spectators, closely crowded together.
As soon as I reached the black table, a man with a gloomy, sorrowful
air arose--it was the Governor. He told the audience that, as a
father, he could not judge impartially in this matter, and that he,
for this occasion, would surrender his seat to the oldest of the
senators. The latter was a gray-headed man, of at least ninety years.
He arose, stooping beneath the weight of age; his temples were covered
with thin white hair, but his eyes still burned brightly, and his
voice was strong and steady. He began by asking me whether I confessed
the murder. I entreated his attention, and with dauntless, distinct
voice, related what I had done and all that I knew. I observed that
the Governor during my recital turned first pale, then red, and when I
concluded, became furious. "How, wretch!" he cried out to me,
"wishest thou thus to lay upon another, the crime thy avarice has
committed?"

Th