It now came to light that Lodovico and Ser Mafio Bernardo had for some time past colluded in political intrigue.

If, therefore, the murder had a motive, this was found in Lodovico's dread of revelations under the event of Ser Mario's capture.

Submitted to torture in the prisons of the Ten, Ser Mafio might have incriminated his accomplice both with England and Venice.

It was obvious why he had been murdered by Lodovico's men.

Dall'Armi was consequently arrested and confined in Venice.