some inadvertency!" said a stern voice, from one of the masked
Three, so soon as the fall of the footsteps of those who retired was no
longer audible. "It is not seemly that the inquisition of St. Mark
should show this ignorance."

"It touches merely the family of an obscure fisherman, illustrious
Signore," returned the trembling dependant; "and it may be that his art
would wish to deceive us in the opening interrogatories."

"Thou art in error," interrupted another of the Three. "The man is named
Antonio Vecchio, and, as he sayeth, his only child died in the hot
affair with the Ottoman. He of whom there is question is a grandson, and
still a boy."

"The noble Signore is right!" returned the clerk--"In the hurry of
affairs, we have misconceived a fact, which the wisdom of the council
has been quick to rectify. St. Mark is happy in having among his
proudest and oldest names, senators who enter thus familiarly into the
interests of his meanest children!"

"Let the man be again introduced," resumed the judge, slightly bending
his head to the compliment. "These accidents are unavoidable in the
press of affairs."

The necessary order was given, and Antonio, with his companion
constantly at his elbow, was brought once more into the presence.

"Thy son died in the service of the Republic, Antonio?" demanded the
secretary.

"Signore, he did. Holy Maria have pity on his early fate, and listen to
my prayers! So good a child and so brave a man can have no great need of
masses for his soul, or his death would have been doubly grievous to me,
since I am too poor to buy them."

"Thou hast a grandson?"

"I had one, noble senator; I hope he still lives."

"He is not with thee in thy labors on the Lagunes?"

"San Teodoro grant that he were! he is taken, Signore, with many more of
tender years, into the galleys, whence may our Lady give him a save
deliverance! If your eccellenza has an opportunity to speak with the
general of the galleys, or with any other who may have authority in such
a matter, on my knees I pray you to speak in behalf of the child, who is
a good and pious lad, that seldom casts a line into the water without an
ave or a prayer to St. Anthony, and who has never given me uneasiness,
until he fell into the grip of St. Mark."

"Rise--this is not the affair in which I have to question thee. Thou
hast this day spoken of thy prayer to our most illustrious prince, the
Doge?"

"I have prayed his highness to giv