Fra Paolo's cell when
he had been absorbed by some train of thought, which, according to his
wont, he would not suspend for any hour of sleep or meals until the
problem had been conquered. Fra Giulio trembled; he would have said
those were the very grapes he had chosen to tempt Fra Paolo's slender
appetite,--white, with the veins of purple,--all as he had left them on
his desk that day, with the plate of fine white bread, when the midday
meal was served--but in no lordly dish.

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 Paol