THE PIRATES OF SEGNA. 401 



to their knowledge. More than once have they heard 

 you revealing in your sleep that -which, during your 

 waking hours, you so strenuously deny. ' Enough ! 

 Enough ! ' you cried. ' I will confess all. I am 

 ^icolo Dansowich.' " 



While Marcello was speaking, the old Uzcoque had 

 had time to collect his thoughts, and call to mind the 

 numerous snares and devices by which the Venetian 

 tribunals obtained confessions from their prisoners. 

 With an intuitive keenness of perception, he in a 

 moment saw through the Proveditore's stratagem, and 

 resolved to defeat it. A contemptuous smile played 

 over his features, and shaking his head incredulously, 

 he answered the Venetian 



" The watchful jailers you speak of have doubtless 

 been cheering their vigils with the wine -flask," said 

 he. " Their draughts must have been deep, to make 

 them hear that which was never spoken." 



" Subterfuge will avail you nothing," replied Mar- 

 cello. " Your sleeping confessions, although you may 

 now wish to retract them, are yet sufficient grounds 

 for the tribunal to go upon, and the most excruciating 

 tortures will be used, if needful, to procure their wak- 

 ing confirmation. Eeflect, Dansowich," continued the 

 Proveditore in a persuasive and gentle tone, " on the 

 position in which you now find yourself. Your life 

 is forfeited ; and, if you persist in your denials, you 

 will never leave this dungeon but for the rack or 

 scaffold. On the other hand, the senate respects you 



