I do not say it was not bad enough, but it is not like decoying girls from home by a false message.

No one could feel safe, if such a deed as this were not severely punished." "Let us go back again, Matteo.

It is no use our thinking of anything until we know what has really been done, and you are sure to be able to learn, at home, what steps have been taken." On reaching home Matteo learned that Polani, accompanied by two members of the council, had already started in one of the swiftest of the state galleys for the mainland.

A council had been hastily summoned, and, upon hearing Polani's narrative, had dispatched two of their number, with an official of the republic, to Botonda.

If Ruggiero was found to be still there, he was to be kept a prisoner in the house in which he was staying, under the strictest watch.