“If it is not worth so much, give me less,” said Massaccio; “I am not a robber, I am an honest man; it was the serpent who gave me the diamond.”
But the police now arrived and conducted him before the magistrate. There he recounted his adventure, which appeared to be a mere fairy vision. Yet as the Signor Vitalis was implicated in the story, the magistrate referred the affair to the state inquisition, and Massaccio appeared before it.
“Relate to us your history,” said one of the inquisitors, “and lie not, or we will have you thrown into the canal.”
Massaccio related his adventure.
“So,” said the inquisitor, “you saved the Signor Vitalis?”
“Yes, noble signors.”
“And he promised you a marriage portion for your bride, and his palace at Venice for yourself?”
“Yes, noble signors.”
“And he drove you like a beggar from his door?”
“Yes, noble signors.”