security of society. The illustrious Ten therefore offer, thus
publicly, a reward of one hundred sequins to him who shall discover the
perpetrator of any of these most horrible assassinations; and, whereas,
during the past night, the body of a certain Antonio, a well known
fisherman, and a worthy citizen, much esteemed by the patricians, has
been found in the Lagunes, and, whereas, there is but too much reason to
believe that he has come to his death by the hands of a certain Jacopo
Frontoni, who has the reputation of a common Bravo, but who has been
long watched in rain by the authorities, with the hope of detecting him
in the commission of some one of the aforesaid horrible assassinations;
now, all good and honest citizens of the Republic are enjoined to assist
the authorities in seizing the person of the said Jacopo Frontoni, even
though he should take sanctuary: for Venice can no longer endure the
presence of one of his sanguinary habits, and for the encouragement of
the same, the Senate, in its paternal care, offers the reward of three
hundred sequins." The usual words of prayer and sovereignty closed the
proclamation.

As it was not usual for those who ruled so much in the dark to make
their intentions public, all near listened with wonder and awe to the
novel procedure. Some trembled, lest the mysterious and much-dreaded
power was about to exhibit itself; while most found means of making
their admiration of the fatherly interest of their rulers audible.

None heard the words of the officer with more feeling than Gelsomina.
She bent her body far from the window, in order that not a syllable
should escape her.

"Did'st thou hear, Carlo?" demanded the eager girl, as she drew back her
head; "they proclaim, at last, money for the monster who has committed
so many murders!"

Jacopo laughed; but to the ears of his startled companion the sounds
were unnatural.

"The patricians are just, and what they do is right," he said. "They are
of illustrious birth, and cannot err! They will do their duty."

"But here is no other duty than that they owe to God, and to the
people."

"I have heard of the duty of the people, but little is said of the
Senate's."

"Nay, Carlo, we will not refuse them credit when in truth they seek to
keep the citizens from harm. This Jacopo is a monster, detested by all,
and his bloody deeds have too long been a reproach to Venice. Thou
hearest that the patricians are not niggard of their gold,