Three days after Clement VI's bull had been published in the capital, the chief-justice was ready for a public examination of two accused persons.

The two culprits who had first fallen into the hands of justice were, as one may easily suppose, those whose condition was least exalted, whose lives were least valuable, Tommaso Pace and Nicholas of Melazzo.

They were led before the tribunal to be first of all tortured, as the custom was.

As they approached the judges, the notary passing by Charles in the street had time to say in a low voice-- "My lord, the time has come to give my life for you: I will do my duty; I commend my wife and children to you." Encouraged by a nod from his patron, he walked on firmly and deliberately.

The chief-justice, after establishing the identity of the accused, gave them over to the executioner and his men to be tortured in the public square, so that their sufferings might serve as a show and an example to the crowd.