would have no explanation of the
matter. While thus meditating I took a nearer view of the garment. It
was of heavy Genoese velvet, of dark red color, bordered with fur from
Astrachan, and richly embroidered with gold. The gorgeousness of the
cloak suggested to me a plan, which I resolved to put in execution. I
carried it to my shop and offered it for sale, taking care, however,
to set so high a price upon it, that I would be certain to find no
purchaser. My object in this was to fix my eye keenly upon every one
who should come to inquire after it; for the figure of the Unknown,
which, after the loss of the mantle, had been exposed to me distinctly
though transiently, I could recognise out of thousands. Many merchants
came after the cloak, the extraordinary beauty of which drew all eyes
upon it; but none bore the slightest resemblance to the Unknown, none
would give for it the high price of two hundred zechins. It was
surprising to me, that when I asked one and another whether there was
a similar mantle in Florence, all answered in the negative, and
protested that they had never seen such costly and elegant
workmanship.

It was just becoming evening, when at last there came a young man who
had often been in there, and had also that very day bid high for the
mantle; he threw upon the table a bag of zechins, exclaiming--

"By Heaven! Zaleukos, I must have your mantle, should I be made a
beggar by it." Immediately he began to count out his gold pieces. I
was in a great dilemma; I had exposed the mantle, in order thereby to
get a sight of my unknown friend, and now came a young simpleton to
give the unheard-of price. Nevertheless, what remained for me? I
complied, for on the other hand the reflection consoled me, that my
night adventure would be so well rewarded. The young man put on the
cloak and departed; he turned, however, upon the threshold, while he
loosened a paper which was attached to the collar, and threw it
towards me, saying, "Here, Zaleukos, hangs something, that does not
properly belong to my purchase." Indifferently, I received the note;
but lo! these were the contents:--

"This night, at the hour thou knowest, bring the mantle to the Ponte
Vecchio; four hundred zechins await thee!"

I stood as one thunder-struck: thus had I trifled with fortune, and
entirely missed my aim. Nevertheless, I reflected not long; catching
up the two hundred zechins, I bounded to the side of the young man and
said, "Take you