The prisoner replied, “Yes.”
In the same instant the circle opened, and we saw with horror the head of the Venetian severed from his body.
“Are you content with this satisfaction?” said the Inquisitor. The prince had fainted in the arms of his attendants. “Go,” added the Inquisitor, turning to me, with a terrible voice, “Go; and in future judge less hastily of the administration of justice in Venice.”
Who the unknown friend was who had thus saved us from inevitable death, by interposing in our behalf the active arm of justice, we could not conjecture. Filled with terror we reached our hotel. It was past midnight. The chamberlain, Z———, was waiting anxiously for us at the door.
“How fortunate it was that you sent us a message,” said he to the prince, as he lighted us up the staircase. “The news which Baron F—— soon after brought us respecting you from the square of St. Mark would otherwise have given us the greatest uneasiness.”
“I sent you a message!” said the prince. “When? I know nothing of it.”
“This evening, after eight, you sent us word that we must not be alarmed if you should come home later to-night than usual.”
The prince looked at me. “Perhaps you have taken this precaution without mentioning it to me.”
I knew nothing of it.
“It must be so, however,” replied the chamberlain, “since here is your repeating-watch, which you sent me as a mark of authenticity.”