It was only a passing impression, but I could swear that he carried a small gold or yellow metal-handled dagger, and I believe that it was set with gems, but to this I should not like to swear." "Produce the dagger found upon the dead man," one of the council said to an official.
And the officer produced a small dagger with a fine steel blade and gold handle, thickly encrusted with gems.
"Is this the dagger ?" the senator asked Francis.
"I cannot say that it is the dagger," Francis replied; "but it closely resembles it, if it is not the same." "You have no doubt, I suppose, seeing that wound on the temple, the dagger found in the girdle, and the fact that the body has evidently only been a few days in the water, that this is the man whom you struck down in the fray on the canal ?" "No, signor, I have no doubt whatever that it is the same person." "That will do," the council said.

"You can retire; and we thank you, in the name of justice, for the evidence you have given." Francis was led back to the gondola, and conveyed to his father's house.

An hour later Signor Polani arrived.
"The matter is finished," he said, "I cannot say satisfactorily to me, for the punishment is wholly inadequate to the offence, but at any rate he has not got off altogether unpunished.

After you left, we passed from the prison into the palace, and then the whole council assembled, as before, in the council chamber.

I may tell you that the body which was found was that of a cousin and intimate of Ruggiero Mocenigo.