"It was a sudden malady that bade me seek my cell," he gasped. "I knew
not that your Excellency had need of me."
He was a ghastly thing in his fear.
The inexorable Chief of the Ten surveyed him in silence for a brief
moment that seemed unending.
"Ay, Fra Antonio, we _have_ need of thee--more than another. For word
hath reached Venice, privately, from special friendly sources in Rome,
that thou art come hither charged with a message of vital import to a
trusted servant of the Republic. Thou hast leave of the Signoria to
declare it in this presence."
Fra Antonio opened his dry lips and framed some words of which he heard
no echo.
"The Inquiry of Venice is satisfied," said the Chief. "Thou art the man
whom we seek. Conduct him to the gondola of the Piombi."
Fra Antonio fell upon his knees in wild supplication as the guards
gathered around him, but the Father Superior detained them with a
prohibitory motion.
"I crave your Excellency's pardon. For the better ruling of this
community and the clearing of all the innocent among our brotherhood, I
have summoned hither every soul under my rule.
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