"You have said nothing of your suspicions to the leaders of the host?"
"Fair sir, we had no suspicions before to-night."
Dandolo drummed on the arm of his chair and stared over the comrades' heads.
"Look you, Messers," he said suddenly. "You have been taken by the officers of the Republic in the violation of her laws. You are strangers here, and none will take interest in your fate—nay, none will know of it. A word from me, and you will disappear."
Hugh frowned in anger at this speech, but Matteo motioned to him to hold his temper.
"What you have said is sufficiently clear, Lord Doge," replied the jongleur placidly. "But I have yet to hear that justice is departed from Venice."
"And I propose to give you justice," retorted Dandolo. "'Tis because you are both plainly honourable and well-intentioned in your blunderings."
"Blunderings, sire? Where have we blundered?"
"You have blundered into that which doth not concern you, into matters of great import. But you gained the knowledge through no fault of your own, and so I would help you to escape the consequences."
"You speak to us in riddles, your Highness," said Hugh impatiently. "In God's name, tell us what you mean! We fear naught! We have no sin upon our souls!"