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"Merveiglio Trevisan was here thishow our inquiry into Gennaro E," said Christofo Sen to his nephew as he closed his office door He had loosened his stiff collar-ruff, for although the day was blustery, it was hot, and the wind carried the odor of charring on it from fires in the woods between Padova and Stra "When a Conte-even one from who-knohere-comes to me in the company of a ive them the whole of my attention, and the benefit of what I know?"

"And you told them-?" Leoncio asked He did his best to look at ease, but he was sha had failed and that he was facing the kind of exposure that could only bring disgrace upon hi he knew his uncle would not tolerate

"I told thelared at the handso to tell the to tell theto find someone who is determined to remain hidden" This was a half-truth, for he had found Gennaro Eround, at least until the furor was over, and the pressure was off both of them

"Are you?" Christofo asked

"A a little ti your uta to locate that wo what you have asked estion

"You are putting my requests ahead of your pleasures?" Christofo asked as if to drive his point home

"Of course I a his features to a demeanor of rectitude

"Then youthis man to court You must have eliminated many bolt-holes from your roster-haven&039;t you?" Impatience made him brusque "Venezia is not so vast that you need weeks and weeks to search its dens of vice"

"The dens area manner as he could summon up "I have ruled out several possibilities, but too many questions yet remain for me to tell you where this ive you inadequate inforer at Leoncio "But I a Emerenzio to justice, and not in the distant future, but within the month-another twelve days, at most You know him-you know his habits: you will find him, and you will do it before the week is out, or you will seek other protection thanbreath "Do you understand me, Nipote?"

Leoncio hated to be called nephew in that de a sharp reply: this was not the tiain, Leoncio, unless that is what you actually intend to do," his uncle warned

"I will makethat Emerenzio should have paid him more to remain silent "But I don&039;t-"

"You had best do so, for he has a great deal to answer for," said Christofo "The longer he eludes the courts, the-"

"How do youhimself to behave in with, a misappropriation of private property, but that is not the worst of it: it appears that this Emerenzio has embezzled more than four thousand ducats from di Santo-Germano alone" Christofo saw the astonishment in Leoncio&039;s eyes "Yes More than four thousand ducats So you see, this is not so of the household goods he seized and sold" He sat down "I had not realized that di Santo-Gerreat fortune at his command, but clearly, he did, and Emerenzio must answer for its reduction"

"More than four thousand," Leoncio repeated, agog at the staggering suiven three days earlier to delay reporting on Emerenzio&039;s whereabouts, which then seemed

"That hasn&039;t been deterreat dealthe brilliant light of the edge of night lightning "But whatever the alio ant to have a co of all the accounts di Santo-Germano has in Venezia, so that so such is possible-once we have Eed to bring us his own accounts of his businesses here Froner has not lost all his money, as Emerenzio has claiht think he coined gold hih at his oitticisold to be stolen," Leoncio seconded his uncle "More than four thousand ducats! Who would have thought there was so large a reserve to be pilfered, and from an exile?&039;

"Emerenzio, for one," said his uncle, and turned his eyes toward the door as a servant tapped upon it "What is it?"

"There is an enor&039;," said the servant through the door "He says you are expecting him"

"That I am Have him wait in the reception hall with the ivory chairs," said Christofo "I will be finished here shortly" He looked toward his nephew expectantly

"Is there anythingas expected of him

"Only to find out what is your next move, Leoncio?"

"I must unearthfrom the Lion&039;s Mouths? Surely there must be soainst thisthat I am aware of," said Christofo

"But there may be," said Leoncio "Have your clerks look"

"We cannot accept anything unsigned," Christofo re unsigned Perhaps neither Consiglio can use it, nor the Savii, but I ood use," Leoncio exclairet I cannot," said Christofo in the tone of a reat deal to answer for," said Leoncio darkly, thinking of the various casette where Eht have taken refuge in the two days since they spoke "I will go out this afternoon and continue ood," Christofo approved, but withoutthe way"

Leoncio ducked his head "Not I, Zio Christofo I knohere my loyalty lies"

"I should hope so-and that should not be at a ga table or in the bed of a courtesan," said Christofo, unpersuaded by Leoncio&039;s protestations "When shall I expect to see you again?"

"Later tonight or, if I find reliable information, tomorrow If I make a discovery, I will send you word of it at once," he proet more than a paltry twenty ducats out of Emerenzio to remain silent this time: Eet his share or he would reveal all he learned about Emerenzio to his uncle and the Savii whoence if Eerly," said Christofo, his anticipation asas an expectancy

"Si, Zio mio," said Leoncio

Christofo touched the wen on his cheek-a sure sign that he was considering more than he intended to reveal-and said nonchalantly, "Have you been to the ga establishments near San Alvise il Vecchio, or Santi Apostoli recently?"

"Is that what the Lion&039;s Mouth-" He hated the thought of an infor, so he shook his head vigorously "No You ned and cannot be examined or substantiated I do understand that But I am curious why you ask about San Alvise il Vecchio and Santi Apostoli"

"It is simply a question," said Christofo in a tone that did not encouragefor me I must leave you, Nipote, to your work"

Leoncio nodded several ti o and make use of it," Christofo said as he moved to leave the rooe hiation, and I will have to tell hi to the point by noon tomorrow"

"I understand," said Leoncio, and held the door for his uncle

"Do not disappoint ain, Nipote" With that, Christofo Sen left Leoncio standing in the corridor and hurried along to the reception rooo, and allowed hi under his breath This was becoain from the protection he had extended to Ereater risk than he had realized he was taking He lowered his chin onto the umberdae of sweat on the glossy fabric Moving at a steady pace, he left the Palazzo dei Dogei and stepped out into the Piazza San Marco The hot wind raked the open square, and a nu as the frisky air snatched at the past the Bacino di San Marco to the footbridge that led to Santa Maria del Giglio As he reached the handsome church, he ducked inside and, after his eyes had adjusted to the dim interior, found himself an empty seat in a rear pehere he could sit and think in relative tranquility He made an effort to keep his eyes open, so he would not be accused of sleeping in church

"Are you waiting for the confessional,his next move for almost an hour

Startled, Leoncio looked up "No, Padre Not just yet I a to sort out a difficult question, and I hoped your splendid church would help me to-"

"Oh, yes," said the priest, whose face had the weathered texture of ayears at sea "Contemplate your proble in Leoncio&039;s direction and went off toward the row of private chapels along the side of the nave