I feel as certain as ever that he is the contriver of the attempt; but the precautions he has taken seem to render it impossible to bring the crime home to him.
However, it is no use talking about it any more, at present.
"You will, I hope, accompany me home, Signor Francisco, and allow me to present you formally to my daughters.

They were too much agitated, last night, to be able to thank you fully for the service you had rendered them.
"Matteo, do you come with us." Three days passed, and no decision of the council had been announced, when, early in the morning, one of the state messengers brought an order that Francis should be in readiness, at nine o'clock, to accompany him.

At that hour a gondola drew up at the steps.

It was a covered gondola, with hangings, which prevented any from seeing who were within.

Francis took his seat by the side of the official, and the gondola started at once.
"It looks very much as if I was being taken as a prisoner," Francis said to himself.