Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-05-11

flock together to st. Marks, crying aloud
that the Genoese fleet had been deserted
at sea. Then. as the senator's. reused by
the tumult and summoned by the bell
came hastily to council. they were to bt
aSSassinated in the piazza.
Bertuccio and Calendaro went instantly
to work. During the next three days
they toiled with speed and secrecy. The
leaders were selected, the assassins were
drilled and the hearts of the conspir-
ators beat high. But one Of their number
named Bertrando. furrier. had received
much kindness from Nicolo Lioni. a mem.
Der of the senate, and in gratitude de-
sired to warn his patron Of his deadly
peril. Fifty times a day he strove to
screw his courage to the sticking place
but time flew by, and still Bertrando vac
Hated
Midnight came Bertuccio and Calendare
for action. Bertuce Faliero was ready ir
the turret of ST. Marks. The doge him
self was in his splendid apartments wait
ing the hour Of his revenge. At that very
moment Bertrando, muffled in a cloak
and slouched hat, was sinking up to
Lioni's door.
Lioni babe his men admit the visitor
but to linger within call in case Of need
and Bertrando was ushered into the
my lord" he said. SIT is Bertrandc
come to warn you. Ask me no questions
can answer none. But, as you love your
life. let nothing tempt you to 60 forth
tomorrow"
Iioni instantly poured forth q stream
Of questions. Come, Bertfando." he COM
manded, "speak no riddles! Il must know
all the windings of this mystery before
let you CO."
Told of the Plot.
Bertrando, thus finding himself help
less, bargained not only for his safety.
but to be well rewarded for his warning,
and told everything he knew. Leaving
Bertrando still q prisoner. Lioni threw
his mantle around him and hurried from
house to house, rapidly arousing all the
forty members of the council. They as
sembled secretly in the Convent OF st.
Savior. Bertrardo was brought In, ana
the signory Of Venice heard with mex
pressible amazement of the doge's treach-
cry Two guards were instantly sent
out, one to the palace, the other to st.
Marks tower. Faiario, alone in ms
apartment. heard the tramp OF men-at-
arms outside his chamber. In a moment
more the door flew open and he was In
the grasp of soldiers. The plot had fall
ed; the dream was over. He was In the
destroy. His captors left him alone in
his own chamber. the door Of which was
kept by q strong guard.
Meantime Bertuccio and Calendaro
were brought in in chains. At first they
refused to speak. but a rack was brought.
the prisoners were stretched upon it
and when the rollers began to turn and
the cords to tighten, with gasps and
groans. the details Of the conspiracy
were told. When the council had learned
everything it wished the ropes Were
loosened and the culprits carried to
cell. A gibbet was erected overlooking
the piazza and an excited crowd saw the
brought forth to die. The
bodies were left to hang like scarecrows
Four hundred Of the secret brother
hood were arrested. but their punishment
was for a while delayed, for the doge,
the chief traitor, must first come to judy
ment The council of ten, by which all
crimes against the state were tried, elect
ed twenty of the signOry to sit in con-
sultation with them The court Of thirty
judges thus composed was known by
the title OF the giunta.
Cut OF Doge's Head.
The doge was conducted. in the midst Of
soldiers, to the great hall of council where
visitors 60 to see the wonderful pictures
Of Botticelli. and stood among the men
whom he had schemed to massacre But
the imminence of death could not shake
his fiery spirit. He had staked every
thing, and everything was lost. The presi-
dent of the council demanded whether
he admitted the crime of which he was
accused. FaIiero answered that the
charge was true. The thirty judges were
quickly agreed upon the sentence. Every
ballot was for death. The execution took
place April IL, 1885, on the spot where
the success sive doges were. by ancient Gus
tom. invested, with pomp and splendor.