"And the prisoner is more crafty than honest in naming
one who is dead. Your excellency will know the precise importance to
attach to that."
Again his excellency nodded. Could it indeed be that I was enmeshed? My
calm deserted me.
"Will Messer Cosimo tell your excellency under what circumstances the Lord
of Pagliano died?" I cried.
"It is yourself should be better able to inform the Court of that,"
answered Cosimo quickly, "since he died at Pagliano after you had borne his
daughter thither, as we have proof."
Gonzaga looked at him sharply. "Are you implying, sir, that there is a
further crime for which Messer Agostino d'Anguissola should be indicted?"
he inquired.
Cosimo shrugged and pursed his lips. "I will not go so far, since the
matter of Ettore Cavalcanti's death does not immediately concern me.
Besides, there is enough contained in the indictment as it stands."
The imputation was none the less terrible, and could not fail of an effect
upon the minds of the Ten. I was in despair, for at every question it
seemed that the tide of destruction rose higher about me. I deemed myself
irrevocably lost. The witnesses I might have called were as good as
gagged.
Yet there was one last question in my quiver--a question which I thought
must crumple up his confidence.
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