en
capable of freeing itself from the trammels of usage and prejudice, had
deserted the shell which lay on the lower step of the Giant's Stairs.

"Will none speak! are ye so bold with your voices when unquestioned, and
so silent when confronted?"

"Speak them fair, your highness," whispered he of the council, who was
commissioned to be a secret witness of the interview; "the Dalmatians
are scarce yet apparelled."

The prince bowed to advice which he well knew must be respected, and he
assumed his former tone.

"If none will acquaint me with your wants, I must command you to retire,
and while my parental heart grieves----"

"Giustizia!" repeated the hidden member of the crowd.

"Name thy wants, that we may know them."

"Highness! deign to look at this!"

One bolder than the rest had turned the body of Antonio to the moon, in
a manner to expose the ghastly features, and, as he spoke, he pointed
towards the spectacle he had prepared. The prince started at the
unexpected sight, and, slowly descending the steps, closely accompanied
by his companions and his guards, he paused over the body.

"Has the assassin done this?" he asked, after looking at the dead
fisherman, and crossing himself. "What could the end of one like this
profit a Bravo? Haply the unfortunate man hath fallen in a broil of his
class?"

"Neither, illustrious Doge! we fear that Antonio has suffered for the
displeasure of St. Mark!"

"Antonio! Is this the hardy fisherman who would have taught us how to
rule in the state regatta!"

"Eccellenza, it is," returned the simple laborer of the Lagunes, "and a
better hand with a net, or a truer friend in need, never rowed a gondola
to or from the Lido. Diavolo! It would have done your highness pleasure
to have seen the poor old Christian among us, on a saint's day, taking
the lead in our little ceremonies, and teaching us the manner in which
our fathers used to do credit to the craft!"

"Or to have been with us, illustrious Doge," cried another, for, the ice
once broken, the tongues of a mob soon grow bold, "in a merry-making on
the Lido, when old Antonio was always the foremost in the laugh, and the
discreetest in knowing when to be grave."

The Doge began to have a dawning of the truth, and he cast a glance
aside to examine the countenance of the unknown inquisitor.

"It is far easier to understand the merits of the unfortunate man, than
the manner of his death," he said, finding no explanation in