This, clue led to terrible consequences; for, further questioned she declared that she could not believe the explanation given to account for its condition.

The evidence was sent to the Roman court; but at that period it did not appear strong enough to warrant the arrest of the Cenci family, who remained undisturbed for many months, during which time the youngest boy died.

Of the five brothers there only remained Giacomo, the eldest, and Bernardo, the youngest but one.

Nothing prevented them from escaping to Venice or Florence; but they remained quietly in Rome.
Meantime Monsignor Guerra received private information that, shortly before the death of Francesco, Marzio and Olympio had been seen prowling round the castle, and that the Neapolitan police had received orders to arrest them.
The monsignor was a most wary man, and very difficult to catch napping when warned in time.

He immediately hired two other sbirri to assassinate Marzio and Olympio.