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Two of the Savii as well as fivewith three advocates and a dozen witnesses attended the hearing of di Santo-Gerainst the Venezian business factor, Gennaro E was on the second floor, not officially a courtroo the secondary law courts, for it had not yet been determined what crime-if any-had been committed in the jurisdiction Elier Decimo Ziane served as moderator for the presentation of witnesses Di Santo-Ger advocate with a reputation forautu puffy clouds over the sky, but with chilly shadows-had begun well enough, with a parade of servants and gas with the absent Gennaro Emerenzio, and knew that when he was short of money, he would co There was a clear connection between the times that various of di Santo-Germano&039;s enterprises suffered unaccountable set-backs and Eh circuood cause for suspicion, particularly since Emerenzio was no place to be found In response, Moliner had parried these testimonies itnesses such as Ulrico Baradin, the paper-broker, who claimed that most of di Santo-Ger those who did not know hienio, who had served in di Santo-Gerlio, threw suspicion on di Santo-Gerner still n places in manners not beneficial to Venezia The first mate of the Aphrodite, one of the Tedeshi&039;s fleet, contended that, contrary to rumor, di Santo-Germano had not paid a full ransom for the crew of that ship when it was taken by corsairs, but only half the nine hundred ducats delier Deciray hair and a distinguishedclock in the far corner "How ?"

"We have four more witnesses, and a possible fifth," said Valentin "You have heard from di Santo-Germano&039;s stewards and his printer, as well as the record-keepers at various ga houses I have yet to call Sanson Micheletta of the Casetta Santa Perpetua, and Padre Egidio Duradante, who is-"

Ziane raised his hand "We are all aho Padre Duradante is"

Valentin bowed slightly "Of course, of course Idisrespectful" He indicated di Santo-Germano, seated alone in the rear of the room on an upholstered bench reserved for coainst the man I represent"

"Understood" He looked at the first , "As the men were taken from a Tedeschi ship, I am astonished that di Santo-Germano paid any portion of the ransom, let alone half of it" He nodded to the advocates as the first mate rose from the Witnesses&039; Chair "Pray continue" Ziane sat back in his chair, straightening his official cap as he did

"I will also call Baltassare Fentrin, as steward to di Santo-Germano&039;s mistress, and knohat hardships she faced as Eranted her for his own use" He bowed slightly "Also, I will call Lilio, her cook, who remained with her until there was no money left, to describe the depredations Emerenzio&039;s thefts made upon her, and the reason he is convinced that Emerenzio has taken all the funds entrusted to him and absconded with them"

"That&039;s four," said Ziane "Who is the possible fifth?"

"Consiglier Orso Fosian" This statement caused a moment of silence in the rooreed to speak on this matter, and on the character of di Santo-Gerner, to have a Consiglier appear on his behalf," said Moliner, raising his voice theatrically

"Di Santo-Germano has conducted hilieri should recognize honorable dealings when they encounter such, as an exanori," said Ziane, "and you, Moliner-whom do you wish to call?" His manner was offhanded but his authority colier Ziane"

Ziane considered all this, occasionally squinting as he assessed his options After almost five minutes, he said, "We will continue for another hour, and then stop for prandium and the midday rest We will resume at four-of-the-clock Call your witness, Valentin"

"Sanson Micheletta: I call Sanson Micheletta of the Casetta Santa Perpetua," said Valentin, glancing over his shoulder at di Santo-Ger at the witness, who rose from his chair and came reluctantly forward "If you will, take the Witnesses&039; Chair"

Although he was ill-at-ease, Sanson did as he was told, crossed himself and vowed before God and the Repubblica, as a true Venezian, to speak the truth and only the truth

"You are the owner and er of the Casetta Santa Perpetua?" Valentin asked

"I aer; my share in the Casetta Santa Perpetua is forty percent" He tugged on the peplums of his doublet

"And you are familiar with Gennaro Emerenzio?"

"He has lost a considerable amount at my dice-tables," said Sanson

"Would you say he losthis turn at questioning

"Everyto appear more coularly loses large amounts?" Moliner made his inquiry sound like an accusation

"Because he is a business factor," Sanson said as if the answer must be obvious to everyone, "and I know of no other in his profession who can regularly lose a hundred ducats without suffering for such extravagance"

"But he paid his debts," Valentin began to pace, covering the space between the horseshoe-shaped array of chairs

"Yes-soer than is advisable, but he has always paid" Sanson cleared his throat and stared at the open shutters

"Did he e sums?" Valentin pursued "In amounts in excess of fifty ducats, shall we say?"

"Every quarter or so, he would settle all his debts and begin accu, "He is one of those for who is a possession, almost a sickness that he cannot be cured of, no ht to be exorcized, for unless he is, he will continue to gah it be for wooden tokens, or pretty pebbles"

"Did he tell you where his money came from?" Moliner approached the Witnesses&039; Chair, his face determined

Di Santo-Germano moved forward on the bench, his full attention on what Sanson was saying

"He had no reason to do so," said Sanson, "although he has often boasted that he has been paid a bonus for his good work He told me once that he could, if he wished to, ruin ners"

"Did you have any reason to doubt hienerous bonus?" Moliner loomed over Sanson as he answered

"I know of few men who have so many bonuses, or in such amounts as he has clainers, either"

Valentin took over onceof this man and his situation-have you any idea of how he has coed, a gesture ht he was probably raking the trust accounts in his care: that would be the easiest way to line his pockets"

"By raking, youfro as he waited for the answer

"Yes Idirectly at Sanson "Did you suspect this, and yet failed to report it?"

Now Sanson was squir "I had no proof, only supposition," he said by way of excusing this lapse

"I see," said Ziane, and et on with it

"I have nothing more to ask just now," said Moliner

"Nor I," said Valentin "Not now"

"Then ill hear another witness," said Ziane

Moliner called Christofo Sen, and began by asking hi to di Santo-Gerners in Venezia," he said crisply

"Then you were aware that he has a number of business interests in Venezia?"

"I am We have information on all of the with all the rest, to the Doge and the Minor Consiglio twice a year"

"I analed Valentin to co very still, di Santo-Gered to shift the e it appear that he deserved to have his fortune plundered He had seen this kind of h it cast hiht, he was able to admire the skill required to have this persuasive impact

"You say you reviewed di Santo-Gerularities about any of thereat deal of h losses; every year, some few merchants endure serious failures That is the nature of trading" Christofo Sen put his hands together as if to absolve himself from any malfeasance in the business

"Did you have any reason to suppose that his factor had any part in these losses?" Moliner asked

"Why should I have had?" Sen countered

"And at no time did you think it necessary to inspect the nor&039; Emerenzio kept his records?" Moliner all but pounced on the words

Sen cleared his throat "I did not"

Froarded Christofo Sen with intense curiosity, aware that there was so askew about his testi for san his question with disar ner?"

"I would say that is not the pri his hands together "The man has many diverse investments, and it isn&039;t reasonable to think that every one of thelowered toward the shadowy corner where di Santo-Gerenerous here in Venezia, and often I have wondered why"