The Severed Hand | Page 7

the "red-cloak," but that I was
unable to prove his participation in the affair. Valetti embraced me

weeping, and promised me to do all, at least to save my life.
I had little hope, though I knew that Valetti was a clever man, well
versed in the law, and that he would do all in his power to save my life.
For two long days I was in uncertainty; at last Valetti appeared. "I bring
consolation, though painful. You will live and be free with the loss of
one hand." Affected, I thanked my friend for saving my life. He told me
that the Governor had been inexorable in having the affair investigated
a second time, but that he at last, in order not to appear unjust, had
agreed, that if a similar case could be found in the law books of the
history of Florence, my punishment should be the same as the one
recorded in these books. He and his father had searched in the old
books day and night, and at last found a case quite similar to mine. The
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 continue my commercial travels,
more from old custom than necessity, yet I have never again seen that
country where I became so unfortunate. Every year since, I have
received a thousand gold-pieces; and although I rejoice to know that
unfortunate man to be noble, yet he cannot relieve me of the sorrow of
my soul, for the terrible picture of the murdered Bianca is continually
on my mind.

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