important secret
service.

Meanwhile, Fra Paolo was still the theme among the senators at large in
the Council Chamber. "Il miracolo del suo secolo," they called him, as
they rehearsed the opinions of the learned men of their age in every
field of science.

"It cannot be from knowledge, acquired as all men learn, that he taketh
this position in such varied sciences," said the Senator Morosini; "for
a life-time doth suffice to few men for such attainment in one field as
he hath reached in all. It must be that the marvel of his mind doth hold
some central truth which maketh all science cognate."

"Else were he not 'friend and master' to Galileo of Padua."

"And it is told that Acquapendente, who hath been summoned by the
Signoria to bestow his skill, hath learned of him some matters which he
taught in the medical school of Bologna. The world hath not his equal
for learning."

"By the blessed San Marco!" ejaculated one under his breath, who had
been idly leaning on the balustrade, as he crossed himself and looked
furtively around to note whether he had been overheard.

But the others of the group, keenly alive to danger, had instantly
joined him.

"Was this some new intrigue?" "Was the night not already full with
horror?" they questioned of each other, thrilled with dread and
superstition.

Dawn was growing over the water, and the gray and oily surface of the
lagoon was closely dotted with gondolas, distinct and black in the
morning twilight; they came sweeping on from San Nicolo and
Castello--black and red, breast to breast--gathering impetus as they
neared the Piazzetta, in numbers which must have left every traghetto of
Venice deserted; Nicolotti and Castellani--_allies_, since they never
had been friends! It was some intrigue of the people, or some favor they
had come to ask--_to-day_, when the Senate might not spare one thought
for disorder among the masses!

Weary and overwrought, after their night of sorrowful labor, they looked
at each other in consternation.

"It is their gastaldo whom they are come to seek," a secretary of the
Ten confided by inspiration to his Chief, as an old man, wearing the
robe of a bancalo, was escorted from the landing by a band of gondoliers
with black and crimson sashes, who disappeared under the entrance to the
palace courtyard.

"Let him be summoned and honorably discharged; he hath done no harm that
may be compared with the disaffection of the traghetti."

"Rather, l