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erouspersons.Whatwillmensayofmyrulewhenitisknownthatthepeacefulcitizencannotwalkhomeatnightwithoutdangertohislife?Oh,Checco,Iblamemyselfbitterly.'
'Youhavenocause,mylord,but—woulditnotbewelltoexaminethementoseeiftheyareknowninForli?Perhapstheyhaveassociates.'
'Certainlytheideawasinmymind.Letthembelaidoutinthemarket-placesothatallmayseethem.'
'Pardon,sir,'saidoneofhissuite,'buttheywerelaidintheChurchofSanSpiritolastnight,andthismorningtheyhavedisappeared.'
MatteoandIlookedatoneanother.CheccokepthiseyesfixedontheCount.
'Disappeared!'criedthelatter,displayingeverysignofimpatience.'Whoisresponsibleforthis?Offerarewardforthediscoveryoftheirbodiesandofanyaccomplices.Iinsistontheirbeingdiscovered!'
Shortlyafterwardshetookhisleave,afterrepeatedlykissingChecco,andwarmlycongratulatingMatteoandmyselfontheassistancewehadgiventoourfriend.Tomehesaid,—
'Iregret,MesserFilippo,thatyouarenotaForlivese.Ishouldbeproudtohavesuchacitizen.'
BartolomeoMoratiniwasstillatthePalazzoOrsi,so,seizingmyopportunity,Itookhimbythearmandwalkedwithhimt
