It may be that, when the person accused of this crime appears before us, you may be able to recognize his figure." It was with mixed feelings that Francis heard, a minute or two later, the usher announce that Signor Ruggiero Mocenigo was without, awaiting the pleasure of their excellencies.
"Let him enter," the doge said.
The curtains fell back, and Ruggiero Mocenigo entered with a haughty air.

He bowed to the council, and stood as if expecting to be questioned.
"You are charged, Ruggiero Mocenigo," the doge said, "with being concerned in an attempt to carry off the daughters of Signor Polani, and of taking part in the killing of three servitors of that gentleman." "On what grounds am I accused ?" Ruggiero said haughtily.
"On the ground that you are a rejected suitor for the elder lady's hand, and that you had uttered threats against her father, who, so far as he knows, has no other enemies." "This seems somewhat scanty ground for an accusation of such gravity," Ruggiero said sneeringly.

"If every suitor who grumbles, when his offer is refused, is to be held responsible for every accident which may take place in the lady's family, methinks that the time of this reverend and illustrious council will be largely occupied." "You will remember," the doge said sternly, "that your previous conduct gives good ground for suspicion against you.

You have already been banished from the state for two years for assassination, and such reports as reached us of your conduct in Constantinople, during your exile, were the reverse of satisfactory.

Had it not been so, the prayers of your friends, that your term of banishment might be shortened, would doubtless have produced their effect." "At any rate," Ruggiero said, "I can, with little difficulty, prove that I had no hand in any attempt upon Signor Polani's daughters last night, seeing that I had friends spending the evening with me, and that we indulged in play until three o'clock this morning--an hour at which, I should imagine, the Signoras Polani would scarcely be abroad." "At what time did your friends assemble ?" "At nine o'clock," Ruggiero said.