sentence was: That his left hand be cut off, his property confiscated,
and he himself banished for ever. This was my punishment also, and he
asked me to prepare for the painful hour which awaited me. I will not
describe to you that terrible hour, when I laid my hand upon the block
in the public market-place and my own blood shot over me in broad
streams.

Valetti took me to his house until I had recovered; he then most
generously supplied me with money for travelling, for all I had acquired
with so much difficulty had fallen a prey to the law. I left Florence
for Sicily and embarked on the first ship that I found for
Constantinople. My hope was fixed upon the sum which I had entrusted to
my friend. I also requested to be allowed to live with him. But how
great was my astonishment on being asked why I did not wish to live in
my own house. He told me that some unknown man had bought a house in the
Greek Quarter in my name, and this very man had also told the neighbors
of my early arrival. I immediately proceeded thither accompanied by my
friend, and was received by all my old acquaintances joyfully. An old
merchant gave me a letter, which the man who had bought the house for
me had left behind. I read as follows: "Zaleukos! Two hands are prepared
to work incessantly, in order that you may not feel the loss of one of
yours. The house which you see and all its contents are yours, and every
year you will receive enough to be counted amongst the rich of your
people. Forgive him who is unhappier than yourself!" I could guess who
had written it, and in answer to my question, the merchant told me it
had been a man, whom he took for a Frank, and who had worn a scarlet
cloak. I knew enough to understand that the stranger was, after all, not
entirely devoid of noble intentions. In my new house I found everything
arranged in the best style, also a vaulted room stored with goods, more
splendid than I had ever had. Ten years have passed since. I still