The officer shrugged his shoulders.
"Say you so? Well, Messer, he cannot escape for long, an the Republic chooses to spread her nets for him. But you are caught red-handed in the act of disobeying the laws of the Grand Council against broiling in the city. You must go with me to the Palace for trial."
Matteo affected to be unconcerned.
"Have it your own way, Magnificence," he returned. "We have just overheard this Mocenigo plotting with three Saracen envoys on the Isle of Rabbits. The matter touches narrowly the honour of the Republic. If you will not pursue him, the least we demand is that we be taken straight to the Doge to tell the facts to His Highness in person."
The officer was impressed.
"To the Palace you shall go," he said. "And if his Highness the Doge cares to investigate your story doubt not that you will be arraigned before him."
Matteo saw that no more was to be gained and he bowed assent.
"We are at your disposal, Messer," he said. "Do you wish our swords?"
"No, you may keep them, an you give your words to make no effort to escape."
"We do."