\"Ay, Fra Antonio, we have need of thee—more than another. For word hath reached Venice, privately, from special friendly sources in Rome, that thou art come hither charged with a message of vital import to a trusted servant of the Republic. Thou hast leave of the Signoria to declare it in this presence.\"
Fra Antonio opened his dry lips and framed some words of which he heard no echo.
\"The Inquiry of Venice is satisfied,\" said the Chief. \"Thou art the man whom we seek. Conduct him to the gondola of the Piombi.\"
Fra Antonio fell upon his knees in wild supplication as the guards gathered around him, but the Father Superior detained them with a prohibitory motion.
\"I crave your Excellency''''s pardon. For the better ruling of this community and the clearing of all the innocent among our brotherhood, I have summoned hither every soul under my rule. That no scandal may arise, your Excellency will permit that the charge under which this arrest is made be declared.\"
Assent was given by an impatient gesture.
\"Fra Antonio, while he hath been a recipient of our hospitality,\" said the Superior, \"is described by trustworthy advices from our Chapter in Rome, but just received, as a person who hath designs upon the life of a member of this community.\"
\"It is a false scandal,\" cried Fra Antonio, who had found his voice at last. \"I shall not be condemned without proof!\"
\"The truth is known,\" said Fra Paolo, leaning toward him and speaking low. \"It were better for thee to confess—or depart in silence.\"
But the man was beside himself with fear; he caught at his last, desperate chance of favor, dragging himself to the feet of Fra Paolo and pouring out an abject tale of petty jealousies and offenses for which he obsequiously craved pardon of this \"idol of the convent,\" protesting, with horrible oaths, that he was guilty of nothing more.
The rare shade of compassion that had softened Fra Paolo''''s face when he gave his warning, deepened to a glory and his eyes shone with a grace that was like love, as he raised the wretched man and strove to arrest his torrent of words. \" God heareth thee, my brother,\" he said pleadingly; \"have pity on thine own soul. Kneel to Him alone in thy great need. But spend not thy strength with trifles that demean us both. If thine heart hath aught against me, I forgive it.\"
Then turning to the Chief he besought that the trial should be short—\"For the man is ill, and I would have quiet speech with him.\"
\"For the honor of the Servi, let the matter be dispatched, and let proof be brought,\" the Superior demanded, surprised and displeased at any softness in Fra Paolo, whose dominant note was justice, rather than mercy.
\"We will grant him the favor of a farewell collation ere he taketh leave of his entertainers,\" said the Giustinian. \"Let the refection be brought.\"
The friars exchanged glances of astonishment and dismay as a dish of fruit and of white bread were brought forward by two of the ducal guards, on a costly salver wrought with the arms of Venice. It was like the simple refreshment they had often carried to Fra Paolo''''s cell when he had been absorbed by some train of thought, which, according to his wont, he would not suspend for any hour of sleep or meals until the problem had been conquered. Fra Giulio trembled; he would have said those were the very grapes he had chosen to tempt Fra Paolo''''s slender appetite,—white, with the veins of purple,—all as he had left them on his desk that day, with the plate of fine white bread, when the midday meal was served—but in no lordly dish.
A faint cry escaped Fra Antonio, and he put his hands before his face.
There was a moment of breathless silence; but no compassion anywhere upon all those strained and eager faces, except in the eyes of Fra Paolo, which seemed divine in pity, as he drew nearer the guilty man and put his arm about him to steady him.
\"These,\" said the Chief of the Ten, \"fine grapes and wheaten bread, exquisitely flavored with a most precious powder, thou shalt presently enjoy in this presence,—with the compliments of the Signoria, who have most carefully considered this repast,—unless thou dost instantly make frank and full confession of thy deed and thine accomplices.
\"And if more be to thy taste,\" the cruel voice went on, for no answer came, \"since in these matters thou hast a consummate knowledge—thou art permitted, by grace of the Signoria, to use the contents of this packet, which hath been found within the lining of thy cassock. This powder hath a marvelous power to still the blood which floweth over-swiftly——\"
\"We have proof more than sufficient for the arrest, your Excellency,\" interposed the officer of the guards, as he gave the signal. \"And no deposition can be taken here, for the man hath fainted from his fright.\"
But almost unnoticed the guards bore their burden from the cloister to the gondola of the prisons of the Piombi; for it had taken but a moment to complete the unfinished tale in the minds of the listeners, and with one accord they were gathering about Fra Paolo, eager to express their loyalty, their indignation, their gratitude for his escape.
The court was in a tumult. \"Fra Paolo!\" \" Our Fra Paolo!\" mingled with bursts of vehement condemnation and rapid questions. \"Our Consultore!\" \"And because he is necessary to Venice!\"
The chimes of the chapel sounding joyously broke in upon these demonstrations, and two little choristers came running back to tell them that, by order of Fra Gianmaria, a Te Deum for the safety of Fra Paolo would be sung, in lieu of the interrupted vesper service.
\"The Signoria hath had warnings without end,\" the Chief of the Ten was explaining hastily to Father Gianmaria, as they strolled toward the chapel. \"The Holy Father wanteth him out of Venice, since he hath been Consultore—for the man is a marvel! But he would rather have him alive than dead—as the learned Scioppius hath explained, not long since, to Fra Paolo himself! And this whole plot hath been unveiled to us by one who watcheth secretly in Rome for the interest of Venice, since there hath been no open communication. It was hatched in the Orsini palace, in that holy city, not unknown to some of their Eminences; the chief accomplices are friars—we have the names of the other two; and Piero Salin is on the watch. The stakes are high for the friars'''' game—five thousand scudi apiece and a promise of Church preferment; but Piero Salin hath ways of doing his duty! The Senate will send orders for the better protection of its Consultore; meanwhile let him not venture forth without two ducal guards.\"
\"Your Excellency knoweth that Fra Paolo will have no state.\"
\"A cowl over their saintly faces, if it please his fancy! It is the order of the Senate, waiting better plans of safety—a suite in the Ducal Palace or a house connected therewith by some guarded passage. Warning hath been sent us most urgently, by friends of the Republic, of a great price and absolution for him who may bring Fra Paolo to Rome—alive or dead!\"