"The death of the meanest man in Venice should call forth the care of the patricians, Signore."
"Dost thou know, Jacopo, that thou art accused of being his murderer?"
"Signore, I do."
"It is said that thou earnest among the gondoliers in the late regatta, and that, but for this aged fisherman, thou would'st have been winner of the prize?"
"In that, rumor hath not lied, Signore."
"Thou dost not, then, deny the charge!" said the examiner, in evident surprise.
"It is certain that, but for the fisherman, I should have been the winner."
"And thou wished it, Jacopo?"
"Signore, greatly," returned the accused, with a show of emotion, that had not hitherto escaped him. "I was a man condemned of his fellows, and the oar had been my pride, from childhood to that hour."
Another movement of the third inquisitor betrayed equally his interest and his surprise.