Thelongnightsofwinterdistressedme，forIhadtopassnineteenmortalhoursindarkness；andonthecloudydays，whicharecommonenoughatVenice，thelightIhadwasnotsufficientformetobeabletoread。WithoutanydistractionsIfellbackontheideaofmyescape，andamanwhoalwaysthinksononesubjectisindangerofbecomingamonomaniac。Awretchedkitchen—lampwouldhavemademehappy，buthowamItogetsuchathing？Oblessedprerogativeofthought！howhappywasIwhenIthoughtIhadfoundawaytopossessmyselfofsuchatreasure！TomakesuchalampIrequiredavase，wicks，oil，aflintandsteel，tinder，andmatches。Aporringerwoulddoforthevase，andIhadonewhichwasusedforcookingeggsinbutter。Pretendingthatthecommonoildidnotagreewithme，I
gotthemtobuymeLuccaoilformysalad，andmycottoncounterpanewouldfurnishmewithwicks。IthensaidIhadthetoothache，andaskedLawrencetogetmeapumice—stone，butashedidnotknowwhatImeantItoldhimthatamusket—flintwoulddoaswellifitweresoakedinvinegarforaday，and，thenbeingappliedtothetooththepainwouldbeeased。LawrencetoldmethatthevinegarIhadwasexcellent，andthatIcouldsoakthestonemyself，andhegavemethreeorfourflintshehadinhispocket。AllIhadtodowastogetsomesulphurandtinder，andtheprocuringofthesetwoarticlessetallmywitstowork。Atlastfortunecametomyassistance。
Ihadsufferedfromakindofrash，whichasitcameoffhadleftsomeredspotsonmyarms，andoccasionallycausedmesomeirritation。ItoldLawrencetoaskthedoctorforacure，andthenextdayhebroughtmeapieceofpaperwhichthesecretaryhadseen，andonwhichthedoctorhadwritten，\"Regulatethefoodforaday，andtheskinwillbecuredbyfourouncesofoilofsweetalmondsoranointmentofflourofsulphur，butthislocalapplicationishazardous。\"
\"Nevermindthedanger，\"saidItoLawrence；\"buymetheointment，orrathergetmethesulphur，asIhavesomebutterbyme，andIcanmakeitupmyself。Haveyouanymatches？Givemeafew。\"
Hefoundsomeinhispockets，andhegavemethem。
Whatasmallthingbringscomfortindistress！Butinmyplacethesematcheswerenosmallthing，butratheragreattreasure。
IhadpuzzledmyheadforseveralhoursastowhatsubstituteIcouldfindfortinder——theonlythingIstilllacked，andwhichIcouldnotaskforunderanypretensewhatsoever——whenIrememberedthatIhadtoldthetailortoputsomeunderthearmpitsofmycoattopreventtheperspirationspoilingthestuff。Thecoat，quitenew，wasbeforeme，andmyheartbegantobeat，butsupposingthetailorhadnotputitin！ThusIhungbetweenhopeandfear。Ihadonlytotakeasteptoknowall；butsuchastepwouldhavebeendecisive，andIdarednottakeit。AtlastIdrewnigh，andfeelingmyselfunworthyofsuchmerciesIfellonmykneesandferventlyprayedofGodthatthetailormightnothaveforgottenthetinder。AfterthisheartfeltprayerItookmycoat，unsewedit，andfound—thetinder！Myjoyknewnobounds。InaturallygavethankstoGod，sinceitwaswithconfidenceinHimthatItookcourageandsearchedmycoat，andI
returnedthankstoHimwithallmyheart。
Inowhadallthenecessarymaterials，andIsoonmademyselfalamp。
Letthereaderimaginemyjoyathavinginamannermadelightinthemidstofdarkness，anditwasnolesssweetbecauseagainsttheordersofmyinfamousoppressors。Nowtherewasnomorenightforme，andalsonomoresalad，forthoughIwasveryfondofittheneedofkeepingtheoiltogivelightcausedmetomakethissacrificewithoutitcostingmemanypangs。IfixeduponthefirstMondayinLenttobeginthedifficultworkofbreakingthroughthefloor，forI
suspectedthatinthetumultofthecarnivalImighthavesomevisitors，andIwasintheright。
Atnoon，onQuinquagesimaSunday，Iheardthenoiseofthebolts，andpresentlyLawrenceentered，followedbyathick—setmanwhomI
recognizedastheJew，GabrielSchalon，knownforlendingmoneytoyoungmen。
Wekneweachother，soexchangedcompliments。Hiscompanywasbynomeansagreeabletome，butmyopinionwasnotasked。Hebeganbycongratulatingmeonhavingthepleasureofhissociety；andbywayofanswerIofferedhimtosharemydinner，butherefused，sayinghewouldonlytakealittlesoup，andwouldkeephisappetiteforabettersupperathisownhouse。
\"When？\"
\"Thisevening。YouheardwhenIaskedformybedhetoldmethatwewouldtalkaboutthatto—morrow。ThatmeansplainlythatIshallhavenoneedofit。Anddoyouthinkitlikelythatamanlikemewouldbeleftwithoutanythingtoeat？\"
\"Thatwasmyexperience。\"
\"Possibly，butbetweenourselvesourcasesaresomewhatdifferent；
andwithoutgoinganyfartherintothatquestion，theInquisitorshavemadeamistakeinarrestingme，andtheywillbeinsometrouble，Iamcertain，astohowtoatonefordoingso。\"
\"Theywillpossiblygiveyouapension。Amanofyourimportancehastobeconciliated。\"
\"True，there’snotabrokerontheexchangemoreusefulthanmyself，andthefivesageshaveoftenprofitedbytheadviceIhavegiventhem。Mydetentionisacuriousincident，which，perchance，willbeofservicetoyou。\"
\"Indeed。How，mayIask？\"
\"Iwillgetyououtofhereinamonth’stime。Iknowtowhomtospeakandwhatwaytodoit:\"
\"Ireckononyou，then。\"
\"Youmaydoso。\"
Thisknaveandfooltogetherbelievedhimselftobesomebody。Hevolunteeredtoinformmeastowhatwasbeingsaidofmeinthetown，butasheonlyrelatedtheidletalesofmenasignorantashimself，heweariedme，andtoescapelisteningtohimItookupabook。Thefellowhadtheimpudencetoaskmenottoread，ashewasveryfondoftalking，buthenceforthhetalkedonlytohimself。Ididnotdaretolightmylampbeforethiscreature，andasnightdrewonhedecidedonacceptingsomebreadandCypruswine，andhewasafterwardsobligedtodoasbesthecouldwithmymattress，whichwasnowthecommonbedofallnew—comers。
Inthemorninghehadabedandsomefoodfromhisownhouse。Iwasburdenedwiththiswretchedfellowfortwomonths，forbeforecondemninghimtotheFoursthesecretaryhadseveralinterviewswithhimtobringtolighthisknaveries，andtoobligehimtocancelagoodlynumberofillegalagreements。HeconfessedtomehimselfthathehadboughtofM。DomenicoMichelitherighttomoneyswhichcouldnotbelongtothebuyertillafterthefatherofthesellerwasdead。
\"It’strue，\"saidhe，\"thatheagreedtogivemefiftypercent。，butyoumustconsiderthatifhediedbeforehisfatherIshouldloseall。\"Atlast，seeingthatmycursedfellowdidnotgo，Ideterminedtolightmylampagainafterhavingmadehimpromisetoobservesecrecy。Heonlykepthispromisewhilehewaswithme，asLawrenceknewallaboutit，butluckilyheattachednoimportancetothefact。
Thisunwelcomeguestwasatrueburdentome，ashenotonlypreventedmefromworkingformyescapebutalsofromreading。Hewastroublesome，ignorant，superstitious，abraggart，cowardly，andsometimeslikeamadman。Hewouldhavehadmecry，sincefearmadehimweep，andhesaidoverandoveragainthatthisimprisonmentwouldruinhisreputation。OnthiscountIreassuredhimwithasarcasmhedidnotunderstand。Itoldhimthathisreputationwastoowellknowntosufferanythingfromthislittlemisfortune，andhetookthatforacompliment。Hewouldnotconfesstobeingamiser，butImadehimadmitthatiftheInquisitorswouldgivehimahundredsequinsforeverydayofhisimprisonmenthewouldgladlypasstherestofhislifeundertheLeads。
HewasaTalmudist，likeallmodernJews，andhetriedtomakemebelievethathewasverydevout；butIonceextractedasmileofapprobationfromhimbytellinghimthathewouldforswearMosesifthePopewouldmakehimacardinal。Asthesonofarabbihewaslearnedinalltheceremoniesofhisreligion，butlikemostmenheconsideredtheessenceofareligiontolieinitsdisciplineandoutwardforms。
ThisJew，whowasextremelyfat，passedthree—quartersofhislifeinbed；andthoughheoftendozedinthedaytime，hewasannoyedatnotbeingabletosleepatnight——allthemoreashesawthatIsleptexcellently。HeoncetookitintohisheadtowakemeupasIwasenjoyingmysleep。
\"Whatdoyouwant？\"saidI；\"wakingmeupwithastartlikethis。\"
\"Mydearfellow，Ican’tsleepawink。Havecompassiononmeandletushavealittletalk。\"
\"Youscoundrel）Youactthusandyoudaretocallyourselfmyfriend！
Iknowyourlackofsleeptormentsyou，butifyouagaindeprivemeoftheonlyblessingIenjoyIwillariseandstrangleyou。\"
Iutteredthesewordsinakindoftransport。
\"Forgiveme，formercy’ssake！andbesurethatIwillnottroubleyouagain。\"
ItispossiblethatIshouldnothavestrangledhim，butIwasverymuchtemptedtodoso。Aprisonerwhoishappyenoughtosleepsoundly，allthewhilehesleepsisnolongeracaptive，andfeelsnomoretheweightofhischains。Heoughttolookuponthewretchwhoawakenshimasaguardwhodepriveshimofhisliberty，andmakeshimfeelhismiseryoncemore，since，awakening，hefeelsallhisformerwoes。Furthermore，thesleepingprisoneroftendreamsthatheisfreeagain，inlikemannerasthewretchdyingofhungerseeshimselfindreamsseatedatasumptuousfeast。
Icongratulatedmyselfonnothavingcommencedmygreatworkbeforehecame，especiallyasherequiredthattheroomshouldbesweptout。
Thefirsttimeheaskedforittobedote，theguardsmademelaughbysayingthatitwouldkillme。However，heinsisted；andIhadmyrevengebypretendingtobeill，butfrominterestedmotivesImadenofurtheropposition。
OntheWednesdayinHolyWeekLawrencetoldusthatthesecretarywouldmakeusthecustomaryvisitintheafternoon，theobjectbeingtogivepeacetothemthatwouldreceivethesacramentatEaster，andalsotoknowiftheyhadanythingtosayagainstthegaoler。\"So，gentlemen，\"saidLawrence，\"ifyouhaveanycomplaintstomakeofmemakethem。Dressyourselvesfully，asiscustomary。\"ItoldLawrencetogetmeaconfessorfortheday。
Iputmyselfintofulldress，andtheJewfollowedmyexample，takingleaveofmeinadvance，sosurewashethatthesecretarywouldsethimfreeonhearingwhathehadtosay。\"Mypresentiment，\"saidhe，\"isofthesamekindasIhavehadbefore，andIhaveneverbeendeceived。\"
\"Icongratulateyou，butdon’treckonwithoutyourhost。\"HedidnotunderstandwhatImeant。
Incourseoftimethesecretarycame，andassoonasthecell—doorwasopenedtheJewranoutandthrewhimselfathisfeetonbothknees，Iheardforfiveminutesnothingbuthistearsandcomplaints，forthesecretarysaidnotoneword。Hecameback，andLawrencetoldmetogoout。Withabeardofeightmonths’growth，andadressmadeforlove—makinginAugust，Imusthavepresentedasomewhatcuriousappearance。MuchtomydisgustIshiveredwithcold，andwasafraidthatthesecretarywouldthinkIwastremblingwithfear。AsIwasobligedtobendlowtocomeoutofmyhole，mybowwasreadymade，anddrawingmyselfup，Ilookedathimcalmlywithoutaffectinganyunseasonablehardihood，andwaitedforhimtospeak。Thesecretaryalsokeptsilence，sothatwestoodfacingeachotherlikeapairofstatues。Attheendoftwominutes，thesecretary，seeingthatI
saidnothing，gavemeaslightbow，andwentaway。Ire—enteredmycell，andtakingoffmyclothesinhaste，gotintobedtogetwarmagain。TheJewwasastonishedatmynothavingspokentothesecretary，althoughmysilencehadcriedmoreloudlythanhiscowardlycomplaints。Aprisonerofmykindhasnobusinesstoopenhismouthbeforehisjudge，excepttoanswerquestions。OnMaundyThursdayaJesuitcametoconfessme，andonHolySaturdayapriestofSt。Mark’scametoadministertometheHolyCommunion。MyconfessionappearingrathertoolaconictothesweetsonofIgnatiushethoughtgoodtoremonstratewithmebeforegivingmehisabsolution。
\"DoyoupraytoGod？\"hesaid。
\"Fromthemorninguntotheevening，andfromtheeveninguntothemorning，for，placedasIam，allthatIfeel——myanxiety，mygrief，allthewanderingsofmymind——canbebutaprayerintheeyesoftheDivineWisdomwhichaloneseesmyheart。\"
TheJesuitsmiledslightlyandrepliedbyadiscourserathermetaphysicalthanmoral，whichdidnotatalltallywithmyviews。
Ishouldhaveconfutedhimoneverypointifhehadnotastonishedmebyaprophecyhemade。\"Sinceitisfromus，\"saidhe，\"thatyoulearntwhatyouknowofreligion，practiseitinourfashion，praylikeus，andknowthatyouwillonlycomeoutofthisplaceonthedayofthesaintwhosenameyoubear。\"Sosayinghegavemeabsolution，andleftme。Thismanleftthestrongestpossibleimpressiononmymind。Ididmybest，butIcouldnotridmyselfofit。Iproceededtopassinreviewallthesaintsinthecalendar。
TheJesuitwasthedirectorofM。FlaminioCorner，anoldsenator，andthenaStateInquisitor。Thisstatesmanwasafamousmanofletters，agreatpolitician，highlyreligious，andauthorofseveralpiousandasceticworkswritteninLatin。Hisreputationwasspotless。
OnbeinginformedthatIshouldbesetfreeonthefeast—dayofmypatronsaint，andthinkingthatmyinformantoughttoknowforcertainwhathetoldme，Ifeltgladtohaveapatron—saint。\"Butwhichisit？\"Iaskedmyself。\"ItcannotbeSt。JamesofCompostella，whosenameIbear，foritwasonthefeast—dayofthatsaintthatMesser—Grandeburstopenmydoor。\"Itookthealmanacandlookingforthesaints’daysnearestathandIfoundSt。George——asaintofsomenote，butofwhomIhadneverthought。IthendevotedmyselftoSt。Mark，whosefeastfellonthetwenty—fifthofthemonth，andwhoseprotectionasaVenetianImightjustlyclaim。Tohim，then，Iaddressedmyvows，butallinvain，forhisfeastcameroundandstillIwasinprison。ThenItookmyselftoSt。James，thebrotherofChrist，whocomesbeforeSt。Philip，butagaininthewrong。ItriedSt。Anthony，who，ifthetaletoldatPaduabetrue，workedthirteenmiraclesaday。Heworkednoneforme。ThusI
passedfromonetotheother，andbydegreesIgottohopeintheprotectionofthesaintsjustasonehopesforanythingonedesires，butdoesnotexpecttocometopass；andIfinishedupbyhopingonlyinmySaintBar，andinthestrengthofmyarms。NeverthelessthepromiseoftheJesuitcametopass，sinceIescapedfromTheLeadsonAllHallowsDay；anditiscertainthatifIhadapatron—saint，hemustbelookedforintheirnumbersincetheyareallhonouredonthatday。
AfortnightafterEasterIwasdeliveredfrommytroublesomeIsraelite，andthepoordevilinsteadofbeingsentbacktohishomehadtospendtwoyearsinTheFours，andonhisgaininghisfreedomhewentandsetupinTrieste，whereheendedhisdays。
NosoonerwasIagainalonethanIsetzealouslyaboutmywork。I
hadtomakehasteforfearofsomenewvisitor，who，liketheJew，mightinsistonthecellbeingswept。Ibeganbydrawingbackmybed，andafterlightingmylampIlaydownonmybelly，mypikeinmyhand，withanapkinclosebyinwhichtogatherthefragmentsofboardasIscoopedthemout。Mytaskwastodestroytheboardbydintofdrivingintoitthepointofmytool。AtfirstthepiecesI
gotawaywerenotmuchlargerthangrainsofwheat，buttheysoonincreasedinsize。
Theboardwasmadeofdeal，andwassixteeninchesbroad。Ibegantopierceitatitsjuncturewithanotherboard，andastherewerenonailsorclampsmyworkwassimple。Aftersixhours’toilItiedupthenapkin，andputitononesidetoemptyitthefollowingdaybehindthepileofpapersinthegarret。Thefragmentswerefourorfivetimeslargerinbulkthantheholefromwhencetheycame。Iputbackmybedinitsplace，andonemptyingthenapkinthenextmorningItookcaresotodisposethefragmentsthattheyshouldnotbeseen。
Havingbrokenthroughthefirstboard，whichIfoundtobetwoinchesthick，IwasstoppedbyasecondwhichIjudgedtobeasthickasthefirst。TormentedbythefearofnewvisitorsIredoubledmyefforts，andinthreeweeksIhadpiercedthethreeboardsofwhichthefloorwascomposed；andthenIthoughtthatallwaslost，forIfoundIhadtopierceabedofsmallpiecesofmarbleknownatVeniceasterrazzomarmorin。Thisformstheusualfloorofvenetianhousesofallkinds，exceptthecottages，foreventhehighnobilityprefertheterrazzotothefinestboardedfloor。Iwasthunderstrucktofindthatmybarmadenoimpressiononthiscomposition；but，nevertheless，Iwasnotaltogetherdiscouragedandcastdown。I
rememberedHannibal，who，accordingtoLivy，openedupapassagethroughtheAlpsbybreakingtherockswithaxesandotherinstruments，havingpreviouslysoftenedthemwithvinegar。IthoughtthatHannibalhadsucceedednotbyaceto，butaceta，whichintheLatinofPaduamightwellbethesameasascia；andwhocanguaranteethetexttobefreefromtheblundersofthecopyist？Allthesame，IpouredintotheholeabottleofstrongvinegarIhadbyme，andinthemorning，eitherbecauseofthevinegarorbecauseI，refreshedandrested，putmorestrengthandpatienceintothework，IsawthatIshouldovercomethisnewdifficulty；forIhadnottobreakthepiecesofmarble，butonlytopulverizewiththeendofmybarthecementwhichkeptthemtogether。Isoonperceivedthatthegreatestdifficultywasonthesurface，andinfourdaysthewholemosaicwasdestroyedwithoutthepointofmypikebeingatalldamaged。
BelowthepavementIfoundanotherplank，butIhadexpectedasmuch。
Iconcludedthatthiswouldbethelast；thatisthefirsttobeputdownwhentheroomsbelowwerebeingceiled。Ipierceditwithsomedifficulty，as，theholebeingteninchesdeep，ithadbecometroublesometoworkthepike。AthousandtimesIcommendedmyselftothemercyofGod。ThoseFree—thinkerswhosaythatprayingisnogooddonotknowwhattheyaretalkingabout；forIknowbyexperiencethat，havingprayedtoGod，Ialwaysfeltmyselfgrowstronger，whichfactamplyprovestheusefulnessofprayer，whethertherenewalofstrengthcomestraightfromGod，orwhetheritcomesonlyfromthetrustonehasinHim。
Onthe25thofJune，onwhichdaytheRepubliccelebratesthewonderfulappearanceofSt。Markundertheformofawingedlionintheducalchurch，aboutthreeo’clockintheafternoon，asIwaslabouringonmybellyatthehole，starknaked，coveredwithsweat，mylampbesideme。Iheardwithmortalfeartheshriekofaboltandthenoiseofthedoorofthefirstpassage。Itwasafearfulmoment！
Iblewoutmylamp，andleavingmybarintheholeIthrewintoitthenapkinwiththeshavingsitcontained，andasswiftaslightningIreplacedmybedasbestIcould，andthrewmyselfonitjustasthedoorofmycellopened。IfLawrencehadcomeintwosecondssoonerhewouldhavecaughtme。Hewasabouttowalkoverme，butcryingoutdolefullyIstoppedhim，andhefellback，saying，\"Truly，sir，Ipityyou，fortheairhereisashotasafurnace。
Getup，andthankGodforgivingyousuchgoodcompany。\"
\"Comein，mylord，comein，\"saidhetothepoorwretchwhofollowedhim。Then，withoutheedingmynakedness，thefellowmadethenoblegentlemanenter，andheseeingmetobenaked，soughttoavoidmewhileIvainlytriedtofindmyshirt。
Thenew—comerthoughthewasinhell，andcriedout，\"WhereamI？MyGod！wherehaveIbeenput？Whatheat！Whatastench！WithwhomamI？\"
Lawrencemadehimgoout，andaskedmetoputonmyshirttogointothegarretforamoment。Addressinghimselftothenewprisoner，hesaidthat，havingtogetabedandothernecessaries，hewouldleaveusinthegarrettillhecameback，andthat，inthemeantime，thecellwouldbefreedfromthebadsmell，whichwasonlyoil。WhatastartitgavemeasIheardhimuttertheword\"oil。\"InmyhurryI
hadforgottentosnuffthewickafterblowingitout。AsLawrenceaskedmenoquestionsaboutit，Iconcludedthatheknewall，andtheaccursedJewmusthavebetrayedme。Ithoughtmyselfluckythathewasnotabletotellhimanymore。
>FromthattimetherepulsionwhichIhadfeltforLawrencedisappeared。
Afterputtingonmyshirtanddressing—gown，Iwentoutandfoundmynewcompanionengagedinwritingalistofwhathewantedthegaolertogethim。Assoonashesawme，heexclaimed，\"Ah！it’sCasanova。\"
I，too，recognisedhimastheAbbeandCountFenarolo，amanoffifty，amiable，rich，andafavouriteinsociety。Heembracedme，andwhenItoldhimthatIshouldhaveexpectedtoseeanybodyinthatplaceratherthanhim，hecouldnotkeepbackhistears，whichmademeweepalso。
WhenwewerealoneItoldhimthat，assoonashisbedcame，Ishouldofferhimtherecess，begginghimatthesametimenottoacceptit。
Iaskedhim，also，nottoasktohavethecellswept，sayingthatI
wouldtellhimthereasonanothertime。Hepromisedtokeepallsecrecyinthematter，andsaidhethoughthimselffortunatetobeplacedwithme。HesaidthatasnooneknewwhyIwasimprisoned，everyonewasguessingatit。SomesaidthatIwastheheresiarchofanewsect；othersthatMadameMemmohadpersuadedtheInquisitorsthatIhadmadehersonsAtheists，andothersthatAntonyCondulmer，theStateInquisitor，hadmeimprisonedasadisturberofthepeace，becauseIhissedAbbeChiari’splays，andhadformedadesigntogotoPaduafortheexpresspurposeofkillinghim。
Alltheseaccusationshadacertainfoundationinfactwhichgavethemanairoftruth，butinrealitytheywereallwhollyfalse。I
caredtoolittleforreligiontotroublemyselftofoundanewone。
ThesonsofMadameMemmowerefullofwit，andmorelikelytoseducethantobeseduced；andMasterCondulmerwouldhavehadtoomuchonhishandsifhehadimprisonedallthosewhohissedtheAbbeChiari；
andasforthisabbe，onceaJesuit，Ihadforgivenhim，asthefamousFatherOrigo，himselfformerlyaJesuit，hadtaughtmetotakemyrevengebypraisinghimeverywhere，whichincitedthemalicioustoventtheirsatireontheabbe；andthusIwasavengedwithoutanytroubletomyself。
Intheeveningtheybroughtagoodbed，finelinen，perfumes，anexcellentsupper，andchoicewines。Theabbeatenothing，butI
suppedfortwo。WhenLawrencehadwishedusgoodnightandhadshutusuptillthenextday，Igotoutmylamp，whichIfoundtobeempty，thenapkinhavingsuckedupalltheoil。Thismademelaugh，forasthenapkinmightverywellhavecaughtandsettheroomonfire，theideaoftheconfusionwhichwouldhaveensuedexcitedmyhilarity。Iimpartedthecauseofmymirthtomycompanion，wholaughedhimself，andthen，lightingthelamp，wespentthenightinpleasanttalk。Thehistoryofhisimprisonmentwasasfollows:
\"Yesterday，atthreeo’clockintheafternoon，MadameAlessandria，CountMartinengo，andmyself，gotintoagondola。WewenttoPaduatoseetheopera，intendingtoreturntoVeniceafterwards。Inthesecondactmyevilgeniusledmetothegaming—table，whereI
unfortunatelysawCountRosenberg，theAustrianambassador，withouthismask，andabouttenpacesfromhimwasMadameRuzzini，whosehusbandisgoingtoViennatorepresenttheRepublic。Igreetedthemboth，andwasjustgoingaway，whentheambassadorcalledouttome，soastobeheardbyeveryone，’Youareveryfortunateinbeingabletopayyourcourttososweetalady。AtpresentthepersonageI
representmakesthefairestlandintheworldnobetterformethanagalley。Tellthelady，Ibeseechyou，thatthelawswhichnowpreventmespeakingtoherwillbewithoutforceatVenice，whereI
shallgonextyear，andthenIshalldeclarewaragainsther。’
MadameRuzzini，whosawthatshewasbeingspokenof，askedmewhatthecounthadsaid，andItoldher，wordforword。’Tellhim，’saidshe，’thatIaccepthisdeclarationofwar，andthatweshallseewhowillwageitbest。’IdidnotthinkIhadcommittedacrimeinreportingherreply，whichwasafterallamerecompliment。Aftertheoperawesetout，andgothereatmidnight。IwasgoingtosleepwhenamessengerbroughtmeanoteorderingmetogototheBussolaatoneo’clock，SignorBussinello，SecretaryoftheCouncilofTen，havingsomethingtosaytome。Astonishedatsuchanorder——alwaysofbadomen，andvexedatbeingobligedtoobey，Iwentatthetimeappointed，andmylordsecretary，withoutgivingmeaword，orderedmetobetakenhere。\"
CertainlynofaultcouldbelesscriminalthanthatwhichCountFenarolohadcommitted，butonecanbreakcertainlawsinallinnocencewithoutbeinganythelesspunishable。Icongratulatedhimonknowingwhathiscrimehadbeen，andtoldhimthathewouldbesetfreeinaweek，andwouldberequestedtospendsixmonthsintheBressian。\"Ican’tthink，\"saidhe，\"thattheywillleavemehereforaweek。\"Ideterminedtokeephimgoodcompany，andtosoftenthebitternessofhisimprisonment，andsowelldidIsympathizewithhispositionthatIforgotallaboutmyown。
Thenextmorningatday—break，Lawrencebroughtcoffeeandabasketfilledwithalltherequisitesforagooddinner。Theabbewasastonished，forhecouldnotconceivehowanyonecouldeatatsuchanearlyhour。Theyletuswalkforanhourinthegarretandthenshutusupagain，andwesawnomoreofthemthroughouttheday。ThefleaswhichtormentedusmadetheabbeaskwhyIdidnothavethecellsweptout。Icouldnotlethimthinkthatdirtanduntidinesswasagreeabletome，orthatmyskinwasanyharderthanhisown，soItoldhimthewholestory，andshewedhimwhatIhaddone。Hewasvexedathavingasitwereforcedmetomakehimmyconfidant，butheencouragedmetogoon，andifpossibletofinishwhatIwasaboutthatday，ashesaidhewouldhelpmetodescendandthenwoulddrawuptherope，notwishingtocomplicatehisowndifficultiesbyanescape。IshewedhimthemodelofacontrivancebymeansofwhichI
couldcertainlygetpossessionofthesheetswhichweretobemyrope；itwasashortstickattachedbyoneendtoalongpieceofthread。BythisstickIintendedtoattachmyropetothebed，andasthethreadhungdowntotheflooroftheroombelow，assoonasI
gotthereIshouldpullthethreadandtheropewouldfalldown。Hetriedit，andcongratulatedmeonmyinvention，asthiswasanecessarypartofmyscheme，asotherwisetheropehangingdownwouldhaveimmediatelydiscoveredme。MynoblecompanionwasconvincedthatIoughttostopmywork，forImightbesurprised，havingtodoseveraldays’workbeforefinishingtheholewhichwouldcostLawrencehislife。Shouldthethoughtofgainingmylibertyattheexpenseofafellow—creaturehavemademedesist？IshouldhavestillpersistedifmyescapehadmeantdeathtothewholebodyofVenetianguards，andeventotheInquisitorsthemselves。Cantheloveofcountry，allholythoughitbe，prevailintheheartofthemanwhosecountryisoppressinghim？
Mygoodhumourdidnotpreventmycompanionhavingsomebadquartersofanhour。HewasinlovewithMadameAlessandria，whohadbeenasinger，andwaseitherthemistressorthewifeofhisfriendMartinengo；andheshouldhavedeemedhimselfhappy，butthehappieraloveris，somuchthemorehisunhappinesswhenheissnatchedfromthebelovedobject。Hesighed，wept，anddeclaredthathelovedawomaninwhomallthenoblevirtueswerecontained。Icompassionatedhim，andtookcarenottocomforthimbysayingthatloveisameretrifle——acoldpieceofcomfortgiventoloversbyfools，and，moreover，itisnottruethatloveisameretrifle。
TheweekIhadmentionedastheprobabletermofhisimprisonmentpassedquicklyenough，andIlostmyfriend，butdidnotwastemytimebymourningforhim；hewassetfree，andIwascontent。Ididnotbeghimtobediscreet，fortheleastdoubtonthatscorewouldhavewoundedhisnoblespirit。Duringtheweekhewaswithmeheonlyatesoupandfruit，takingalittleCanarywine。ItwasIwhomadegoodcheerinhissteadandgreatlytohisdelight。Beforeheleftwesworeeternalfriendship。
ThenextdayLawrencegavemeanaccountofmymoney，andonfindingthatIhadabalanceoffoursequinsIgavethemtohim，tellinghimitwasapresentfrommetohiswife。Ididnottellhimthatitwasfortherentofmylamp，buthewasfreetothinksoifhechose。
Againbetakingmyselftomywork，andtoilingwithoutcessation，onthe23rdofAugustIsawitfinished。Thisdelaywascausedbyaninevitableaccident。AsIwashollowingoutthelastplank，Iputmyeyetoalittlehole，throughwhichIoughttohaveseenthehalloftheInquisitors—infact，Ididseeit，butIsawalsoatonesideoftheholeasurfaceabouteightinchesthick。Itwas，asIhadfearedallthetimeitwouldbe，oneofthebeamswhichkeptuptheceiling。
Iwasthuscompelledtoenlargemyholeontheotherside，forthebeamwouldhavemadeitsonarrowthatamanofmysizecouldneverhavegotthrough。Iincreasedthehole，therefore，byafourth，working——betweenfearandhope，foritwaspossiblethatthespacebetweentwoofthebeamswouldnotbelargeenough。AfterIhadfinished，asecondlittleholeassuredmethatGodhadblessedmylabour。Ithencarefullystoppedupthetwosmallholestopreventanythingfallingdownintothehall，andalsolestarayfrommylampshouldbeperceived，forthiswouldhavediscoveredallandruinedme。
IfixedmyescapefortheeveofSt。Augustine’sDay，becauseIknewthattheGrandCouncilassembledonthatfeast，andtherewouldconsequentlybenobodyneartheroomthroughwhichImustpassingettingaway。Thiswouldhavebeenonthetwenty—seventhofthemonth，butamisfortunehappenedtomeonthetwenty—fifthwhichmakesmestillshudderwhenIthinkofit，notwithstandingtheyearswhichhavepassedsincethen。
PreciselyatnoonIheardthenoiseofbolts，andIthoughtIshoulddie；foraviolentbeatingoftheheartmademeimaginemylasthourwascome。Ifellintomyeasychair，andwaited。Lawrencecameintothegarretandputhisheadatthegrating，andsaid，\"Igiveyoujoy，sir，forthegoodnewsIambringingyou。\"Atfirst，notbeingabletothinkofanyothernewswhichcouldbegoodtome，IfanciedIhadbeensetatliberty，andItrembled，forIknewthatthediscoveryoftheholeIhadmadewouldhavecausedmypardontoberecalled。
Lawrencecameinandtoldmetofollowhim。
\"WaittillIputonmyclothes。\"
\"It’sofnoconsequence，asyouonlyhavetowalkfromthisabominablecelltoanother，welllightedandquitefresh，withtwowindowswhenceyoucanseehalfVenice，andyoucanstanduprighttoo。\"—————Icouldbearnomore，IfeltthatIwasfainting。
\"Givemethevinegar，\"saidI，\"andgoandtellthesecretarythatI
thanktheCourtforthisfavour，andentreatittoleavemewhereI
am。\"
\"Youmakemelaugh，sir。Haveyougonemad？Theywouldtakeyoufromhelltoputyouinheaven，andyouwouldrefusetostir？Come，come，theCourtmustbeobeyed，prayrise，sir。Iwillgiveyoumyarm，andwillhaveyourclothesandyourbooksbroughtforyou。\"
Seeingthatresistancewasofnoavail，Igotup，andwasmuchcomfortedathearinghimgiveordersformyarm—chairtobebrought，formypikewastofollowme，andwithithope。Ishouldhavemuchlikedtohavebeenabletotakethehole——theobjectofsomuchwastedtroubleandhope——withme。Imaysaywithtruththat，asI
cameforthfromthathorribleanddolefulplace，myspiritremainedthere。
LeaningonLawrence’sshoulder，whilehe，thinkingtocheermeup，crackedhisfoolishjokes，Ipassedthroughtwonarrowpassages，andgoingdownthreestepsIfoundmyselfinawell—lightedhall，attheendofwhich，ontheleft—handside，wasadoorleadingintoanotherpassagetwofeetbroadbyabouttwelvelong，andinthecornerwasmynewcell。Ithadabarredwindowwhichwasoppositetotwowindows，alsobarred，whichlightedthepassage，andthusonehadafineviewasfarasLido。AtthattryingmomentIdidnotcaremuchfortheview；butlateronIfoundthatasweetandpleasantwindcamethroughthewindowwhenitwasopened，andtemperedtheinsufferableheat；andthiswasatrueblessingforthepoorwretchwhohadtobreathethesultryprisonair，especiallyinthehotseason。
AssoonasIgotintomynewcellLawrencehadmyarm—chairbroughtin，andwentaway，sayingthathewouldhavetheremainderofmyeffectsbroughttome。Isatonmyarm—chairasmotionlessasastatue，waitingforthestorm，butnotfearingit。Whatoverwhelmedmewasthedistressingideathatallmypainsandcontrivanceswereofnouse，neverthelessIfeltneithersorrynorrepentantforwhatI
haddone，andImademyselfabstainfromthinkingofwhatwasgoingtohappen，andthuskeptmyselfcalm。
LiftingupmysoultoGodIcouldnothelpthinkingthatthismisfortunewasaDivinepunishmentforneglectingtoescapewhenallwasready。Nevertheless，thoughIcouldhaveescapedthreedayssooner，Ithoughtmypunishmenttoosevere，allthemoreasIhadputoffmyescapefrommotivesofprudence，whichseemedtomeworthyofreward，forifIhadonlyconsultedmyownimpatiencetobegoneI
shouldhaveriskedeverything。Tocontrovertthereasonswhichmademepostponemyflighttothe27thofAugust，aspecialrevelationwouldhavebeenrequisite；andthoughIhadread\"MaryofAgrada\"I
wasnotmadenoughforthat。
CHAPTERXXVIII
TheSubterraneanPrisonsKnownastheWells——Lawrence’sVengeance——
IEnterintoaCorrespondenceWithAnotherPrisoner，FatherBalbi:
HisCharacter——IPlanWithHimaMeansofEscape——HowIContrivedtoLetHimHaveMyPikeIAmGivenaScoundrellyCompanion:HisPortrait。
Iwasthusanxiousanddespairingwhentwooftheguardsbroughtmemybed。Theywentbacktofetchtherestofmybelongings，andfortwohoursIsawnoone，althoughthedoorofmycellremainedopen。
Thisunnaturaldelayengenderedmanythoughts，butIcouldnotfixexactlyonthereasonofit。IonlyknewthatIhadeverythingtofear，andthisknowledgemademebraceupmymindsothatIshouldbeabletomeetcalmlyallpossiblemisfortunes。
BesidesTheLeadsandTheFourstheStateInquisitorsalsopossesscertainhorriblesubterraneancellsbeneaththeducalpalace，wherearesentmenwhomtheydonotwishtoputtodeath，thoughtheybethoughtworthyofit。
Thesesubterraneanprisonsarepreciselyliketombs，buttheycallthem\"wells，\"becausetheyalwayscontaintwofeetofwater，whichpenetratesfromtheseabythesamegratingbywhichlightisgiven，thisgratingbeingonlyasquarefootinsize。Iftheunfortunatescondemnedtoliveinthesesewersdonotwishtotakeabathoffilthywater，theyhavetoremainalldayseatedonatrestle，whichservesthembothforbedandcupboard。Inthemorningtheyaregivenapitcherofwater，somethinsoup，andarationofarmybreadwhichtheyhavetoeatimmediately，oritbecomesthepreyoftheenormouswaterratswhoswarminthosedreadfulabodes。UsuallythewretchescondemnedtoTheWellsareimprisonedthereforlife，andtherehavebeenprisonerswhohaveattainedagreatage。AvillainwhodiedwhilstIwasundertheLeadshadpassedthirty—sevenyearsinTheWells，andhewasforty—fourwhensentenced。Knowingthathedeserveddeath，itispossiblethathetookhisimprisonmentasafavour，fortherearemenwhofearnoughtsavedeath。HisnamewasBeguelin。AFrenchmanbybirth，hehadservedintheVenetianarmyduringthelastwaragainsttheTurksin1716，underthecommandofField—MarshaltheCountofSchulenbourg，whomadetheGrandVizierraisethesiegeofCorfu。ThisBeguelinwasthemarshal’sspy。HedisguisedhimselfasaTurk，andpenetratedintotheMussulmanquarters，butatthesametimehewasalsointheserviceoftheGrandVizier，andbeingdetectedinthiscoursehecertainlyhadreasontobethankfulforbeingallowedtodieinTheWells。Therestofhislifemusthavebeendividedbetweenwearinessandhunger，butnodoubtheoftensaid，’Dumvitasuperest，beneest’。
IhaveseenatSpiegelberg，inMoravia，prisonsfearfulinanotherway。Theremercysendstheprisonersundersentenceofdeath，andnotoneofthemeversurvivesayearofimprisonment。Whatmercy！
Duringthetwomortalhoursofsuspense，fullofsombrethoughtsandthemostmelancholyideas，IcouldnothelpfancyingthatIwasgoingtobeplungedinoneofthesehorribledens，wherethewretchedinhabitantsfeedonidlehopesorbecomethepreyofpanicfears。
TheTribunalmightwellsendhimtohellwhohadendeavouredtoescapefrompurgatory。
AtlastIheardhurriedsteps，andIsoonsawLawrencestandingbeforeme，transformedwithrage，foamingatthemouth，andblasphemingGodandHissaints。HebeganbyorderingmetogivehimthehatchetandthetoolsIhadusedtopiercethefloor，andtotellhimfromwhichoftheguardsIhadgotthetools。Withoutmoving，andquitecalmly，ItoldhimthatIdidnotknowwhathewastalkingabout。AtthisreplyhegaveordersthatIshouldbesearched，butrisingwithadeterminedairIshookmyfistattheknaves，andhavingtakenoffmyclothesIsaidtothem，\"Doyourduty，butletnoonetouchme。\"
Theysearchedmymattress，turnedmybedinsideout，feltthecushionsofmyarm—chair，andfoundnothing。
\"Youwon’ttellme，then，wherearetheinstrumentswithwhichyoumadethehole。It’sofnomatter，asweshallfindawaytomakeyouspeak。\"
\"IfitbetruethatIhavemadeaholeatall，Ishallsaythatyougavemethetools，andthatIhavereturnedthemtoyou。\"
Atthisthreat，whichmadehisfollowerssmilewithglee，probablybecausehehadbeenabusingthem，hestampedhisfeet，torehishair，andwentoutlikeonepossessed。Theguardsreturnedandbroughtmeallmyproperties，thewhetstoneandlampexcepted。Afterlockingupmycellheshutthetwowindowswhichgavemealittleair。Ithusfoundmyselfconfinedinanarrowspacewithoutthepossibilityofreceivingtheleastbreathofairfromanyquarter。Nevertheless，mysituationdidnotdisturbmetoanygreatextent，asImustconfessI
thoughtIhadgotoffcheaply。Inspiteofhistraining，Lawrencehadnotthoughtofturningthearmchairover；andthus，findingmyselfstillpossessoroftheironbar，IthankedProvidence，andthoughtmyselfstillatlibertytoregardthebarasmeansbywhich，soonerorlater，Ishouldmakemyescape。
Ipassedasleeplessnight，asmuchfromtheheatasthechangeinmyprospects。Atday—breakLawrencecameandbroughtsomeinsufferablewine，andsomewaterIshouldnothavecaredtodrink。Alltherestwasofapiece；drysalad，putridmeat，andbreadharderthanEnglishbiscuit。Hecleanednothing，andwhenIaskedhimtoopenthewindowsheseemednottohearme；butaguardarmedwithanironbarbegantosoundallovermyroom，againstthewall，onthefloor，andaboveallundermybed。Ilookedonwithanunmovedexpression，butitdidnotescapemynoticethattheguarddidnotsoundtheceiling。
\"Thatway，\"saidItomyself，willleadmeoutofthisplaceoftorments。\"ButforanysuchprojecttosucceedIshouldhavetodependpurelyonchance，forallmyoperationswouldleavevisibletraces。Thecellwasquitenew，andtheleastscratchwouldhaveattractedthenoticeofmykeepers。
Ipassedaterribleday，fortheheatwaslikethatofafurnace，andIwasquiteunabletomakeanyuseofthefoodwithwhichIhadbeenprovided。TheperspirationandthelackofnourishmentmademesoweakthatIcouldneitherwalknorread。Nextdaymydinnerwasthesame；thehorriblesmellofthevealtherascalbroughtmemademedrawbackfromitinstantly。\"Haveyoureceivedorders，\"saidI，\"tokillmewithhungerandheat？\"
Helockedthedoor，andwentoutwithoutaword。OnthethirddayI
wastreatedinthesamemanner。Iaskedforapencilandpapertowritetothesecretary。Stillnoanswer。
Indespair，Ieatmysoup，andthensoakingmybreadinalittleCypruswineIresolvedtogetstrengthtoavengemyselfonLawrencebyplungingmypikeintohisthroat。MyragetoldmethatIhadnoothercourse，butIgrewcalmerinthenight，andinthemorning，whenthescoundrelappeared，IcontentedmyselfwithsayingthatI
wouldkillhimassoonasIwasatliberty。Heonlylaughedatmythreat，andagainwentoutwithoutopeninghislips。
Ibegantothinkthathewasactingunderordersfromthesecretary，towhomhemusthavetoldall。Iknewnotwhattodo。Istrovebetweenpatienceanddespair，andfeltasifIweredyingforwantoffood。Atlastontheeighthday，withrageinmyheartandinavoiceofthunder，Ibadehim，underthenameof\"hangman，\"andinthepresenceofthearchers，givemeanaccountofmymoney。HeanswereddrilythatIshouldhaveitthenextday。ThenashewasabouttogoItookmybucket，andmadeasifIwouldgoandemptyitinthepassage。Foreseeingmydesign，hetoldaguardtotakeit，andduringthedisgustingoperationopenedawindow，whichheshutassoonastheaffairwasdone，sothatinspiteofmyremonstrancesI
wasleftintheplague—strickenatmosphere。Ideterminedtospeaktohimstillworsethenextday；butassoonasheappearedmyangercooled，forbeforegivingmetheaccountofmymoneyhepresentedmewithabasketoflemonswhichM。deBragadinhadsentme，alsoalargebottleofwater，whichseemeddrinkable，andaniceroastedfowl；and，besidesthis，oneoftheguardsopenedthetwowindows。
WhenhegavemetheaccountIonlylookedatthesumtotal，andI
toldhimtogivethebalancetohiswifewiththeexceptionofasequin，whichItoldhimtogivetheguardswhowerewithhim。I
thusmadefriendswiththesefellows，whothankedmeheartily。
Lawrence，whoremainedalonewithmeonpurpose，spokeasfollows:
\"Youhavealreadytoldme，sir，thatImyselffurnishedyouwiththetoolstomakethatenormoushole，andIwillasknomoreaboutit；
butwouldyoukindlytellmewhereyougotthematerialstomakealamp？\"
\"Fromyou。\"
\"Well，forthemoment，sir，I’mdashed，forIdidnotthinkthatwitmeantimpudence。\"
\"Iamnottellingyouanylies。Youitwaswhowithyourownhandsgavemealltherequisites——oil，flint，andmatches；therestIhadbyme。\"
\"Youareright；butcanyoushewmeassimplythatIgaveyouthetoolstomakethathole？\"
\"Certainly，foryouaretheonlypersonwhohasgivenmeanything。\"
\"Lordhavemercyuponme！whatdoIhear？Tellme，then，howIgaveyouahatchet？\"
\"IwilltellyouthewholestoryandIwillspeakthetruth，butonlyinthepresenceofthesecretary。\"
\"Idon’twishtoknowanymore，andIbelieveeverythingyousay。I
onlyaskyoutosaynothingaboutit，asIamapoormanwithafamilytoprovidefor。\"Hewentoutwithhisheadbetweenhishands。
Icongratulatedmyselfheartilyonhavingfoundawaytomaketherascalafraidofme；hethoughtthatIknewenoughtohanghim。I
sawthathisowninterestwouldkeephimfromsayinganythingtohissuperiorsaboutthematter。
IhadtoldLawrencetobringmetheworksofMaffei，buttheexpensedispleasedhimthoughhedidnotdaretosayso。HeaskedmewhatI
couldwantwithbookswithsomanytomyhand。
\"Ihavereadthemall，\"Isaid，\"andwantsomefreshones。\"
\"Iwillgetsomeonewhoisheretolendyouhisbooks，ifyouwilllendyoursinreturn；thusyouwillsaveyourmoney。\"
\"Perhapsthebooksareromances，forwhichIdonotcare。\"
\"Theyarescientificworks；andifyouthinkyoursistheonlylongheadhere，youareverymuchmistaken。\"
\"Verygood，weshallsee。Iwilllendthisbooktothe’longhead，’
anddoyoubringmeonefromhim:’
IhadgivenhimPetau’sRationarium，andinfourminuteshebroughtmethefirstvolumeofWolff’sworks。WellpleasedwithitItoldhim，muchtohisdelight，thatIwoulddowithoutMaffei。
Lesspleasedwiththelearnedreadingthanattheopportunitytobeginacorrespondencewithsomeonewhomighthelpmeinmyplanofescape（whichIhadalreadysketchedoutinmyhead），IopenedthebookassoonasLawrencewasgone，andwasoverjoyedtofindononeoftheleavesthemaximofSeneca，’Calamitosusestanimusfuturianxius’，paraphrasedinsixelegantverses。Imadeanothersixonthespot，andthisisthewayinwhichIcontrivedtowritethem，I
hadletthenailofmylittlefingergrowlongtoserveasanearpick；Ioutittoapoint，andmadeapenofit。Ihadnoink，andIwasgoingtoprickmyselfandwriteinmyblood，whenI
bethoughtmethatthejuiceofsomemulberriesIhadbymewouldbeanexcellentsubstituteforink。BesidesthesixversesIwroteoutalistofmybooks，andputitinthebackofthesamebook。ItmustbeunderstoodthatItalianbooksaregenerallyboundinparchment，andinsuchawaythatwhenthebookisopenedthebackbecomesakindofpocket。OnthetitlepageIwrote，’latet’。Iwasanxioustogetananswer，sothenextdayItoldLawrencethatIhadreadthebookandwantedanother；andinafewminutesthesecondvolumewasinmyhands。
AssoonasIwasaloneIopenedthebook，andfoundalooseleafwiththefollowingcommunicationinLatin:
\"Bothofusareinthesameprison，andtobothofusitmustbepleasanttofindhowtheignoranceofourgaolerprocuresusaprivilegebeforeunknowntosuchaplace。I，MarinBalbi，whowritetoyou，amaVenetianofhighbirth，andaregularcleric，andmycompanionisCountAndreAsquin，ofUdine，thecapitalofFriuli。Hebegsmetoinformyouthatallthebooksinhispossession，ofwhichyouwillfindalistatthebackofthisvolume，areatyourservice；
butwewarnyouthatwemustuseallpossiblecaretopreventourcorrespondencebeingdiscoveredbyLawrence。\"
Inourpositiontherewasnothingwonderfulinourbothpitchingontheideaofsendingeachotherthecataloguesofoursmalllibraries，orinourchoosingthesamehiding—place——thebackofthebooks；allthiswasplaincommonsense；buttheadvicetobecarefulcontainedonthelooseleafstruckmewithsomeastonishment。ItseemednexttoimpossiblethatLawrenceshouldleavethebookunopened，butifhehadopenedithewouldhaveseentheleaf，andnotknowinghowtoreadhewouldhavekeptitinhispockettillhecouldgetsomeonetotellhimthecontents，andthusallwouldhavebeenstrangledatitsbirth。Thismademethinkthatmycorrespondentwasanarrantblock—
head。
Afterreadingthroughthelist，IwrotewhoIwas，howIhadbeenarrested，myignoranceastowhatcrimeIhadcommitted，andmyhopeofsoonbecomingfree。Balbithenwrotemealetterofsixteenpages，inwhichhegavemethehistoryofallhismisfortunes。Hehadbeenfouryearsinprison，andthereasonwasthathehadenjoyedthegoodgracesofthreegirls，ofwhomhehadthreechildren，allofwhomhebaptizedunderhisownname。
Thefirsttimehissuperiorhadlethimoffwithanadmonition，thesecondtimehewasthreatenedwithpunishment，andonthethirdandlastoccasionhewasimprisoned。Thefather—superiorofhisconventbroughthimhisdinnereveryday。HetoldmeinhisletterthatboththesuperiorandtheTribunalweretyrants，sincetheyhadnolawfulauthorityoverhisconscience:thatbeingsurethatthethreechildrenwerehis，hethoughthimselfconstrainedasamanofhonournottodeprivethemoftheadvantageofbearinghisname。Hefinishedbytellingmethathehadfoundhimselfobligedtorecognizehischildrentopreventslanderattributingthemtoothers，whichwouldhaveinjuredthereputationofthethreehonestgirlswhoborethem；andbesideshecouldnotstiflethevoiceofnature，whichspokesowellonbehalfoftheselittleones。Hislastwordswere，\"Thereisnodangerofthesuperiorfallingintothesamefault，asheconfineshisattentiontotheboys。\"
Thislettermademeknowmyman。Eccentric，sensual，abadlogician，vicious，afool，indiscreet，andungrateful，allthisappearedinhisletter，foraftertellingmethatheshouldbebadlyoffwithoutCountAsquinwhowasseventyyearsold，andhadbooksandmoney，hedevotedtwopagestoabusinghim，tellingmeofhisfaultsandfollies。InsocietyIshouldhavehadnothingmoretodowithamanofhischaracter，butundertheLeadsIwasobligedtoputeverythingtosomeuse。Ifoundinthebackofthebookapencil，pens，andpaper，andIwasthusenabledtowriteatmyease。
HetoldmealsothehistoryoftheprisonerswhowereundertheLeads，andofthosewhohadbeentheresincehisimprisonment。HesaidthattheguardwhosecretlybroughthimwhateverhewantedwascalledNicolas，healsotoldmethenamesoftheprisoners，andwhatheknewaboutthem，andtoconvincemehegavemethehistoryoftheholeIhadmade。ItseemsIhadbeentakenfrommycelltomakeroomforthepatricianPriuli，andthatLawrencehadtakentwohourstorepairthedamageIhaddone，andthathehadimpartedthesecrettothecarpenter，theblacksmith，andalltheguardsunderpainofdeathiftheyrevealedit。\"Inanotherday，\"theguardhadsaid，\"Casanovawouldhaveescaped，andLawrencewouldhaveswung，forthoughhepretendedgreatastonishmentwhenhesawthehole，therecanbenodoubtthatheandnootherprovidedthetools。\"\"Nicolashastoldme，\"addedmycorrespondent，\"thatM。deBragadinhaspromisedhimathousandsequinsifhewillaidyoutomakeyourescapebutthatLawrence，whoknowsofit，hopestogetthemoneywithoutriskinghisneck，hisplanbeingtoobtainyourlibertybymeansoftheinfluenceofhiswifewithM。Diedo。NoneoftheguardsdaretospeakofwhathappenedforfearLawrencemightgethimselfoutofthedifficulty，andtakehisrevengebyhavingthemdismissed。\"Hebeggedmetotellhimallthedetails，andhowIgotthetools，andtocountuponhiskeepingthesecret。
Ihadnodoubtsastohiscuriosity，butmanyastohisdiscretion，andthisveryrequestshewedhimtobethemostindiscreetofmen。
Nevertheless，IconcludedthatImustmakeuseofhim，forheseemedtomethekindofmantoassistmeinmyescape。Ibegantowriteananswertohim，butasuddensuspicionmademekeepbackwhatIhadwritten。IfanciedthatthecorrespondencemightbeamereartificeofLawrence’stofindoutwhohadgivenmethetools，andwhatIhaddonewiththem。TosatisfyhimwithoutcompromisingmyselfItoldhimthatIhadmadetheholewithastrongknifeinmypossession，whichIhadplacedonthewindow—ledgeinthepassage。Inlessthanthreedaysthisfalseconfidenceofminemademefeelsecure，asLawrencedidnotgotothewindow，ashewouldcertainlyhavedoneiftheletterhadbeenintercepted。Furthermore，FatherBalbitoldmethathecouldunderstandhowImighthaveaknife，asLawrencehadtoldhimthatIhadnotbeensearchedprevioustomyimprisonment。
Lawrencehimselfhadreceivednoorderstosearchme，andthiscircumstancemighthavestoodhimingoodsteadifIhadsucceededinescaping，asallprisonershandedovertohimbythecaptainoftheguardweresupposedtohavebeensearchedalready。Ontheotherhand，Messer—Grandemighthavesaidthat，havingseenmegetoutofmybed，hewassurethatIhadnoweaponsaboutme，andthusbothofthemwouldhavegotoutoftrouble。ThemonkendedbybeggingmetosendhimmyknifebyNicolas，onwhomImightrely。
Themonk’sthoughtlessnessseemedtomealmostincredible。IwroteandtoldhimthatIwasnotatallinclinedtoputmytrustinNicolas，andthatmysecretwasonenottobeimpartedinwriting。
However，Iwasamusedbyhisletters。InoneofthemhetoldmewhyCountAsquinwaskeptundertheLeads，inspiteofhishelplessness，forhewasenormouslyfat，andashehadabrokenlegwhichhadbeenbadlysethecouldhardlyputonefootbeforeanother。Itseemsthatthecount，notbeingaverywealthyman，followedtheprofessionofabarristeratUdine，andinthatcapacitydefendedthecountry—folkagainstthenobility，whowishedtodeprivethepeasantsoftheirvoteintheassemblyoftheprovince。Theclaimsofthefarmersdisturbedthepublicpeace，andbywayofbringingthemtoreasonthenobleshadrecoursetotheStateInquisitors，whoorderedthecount—
barristertoabandonhisclients。Thecountrepliedthatthemunicipallawauthorizedhimtodefendtheconstitution，andwouldnotgivein；whereontheInquisitorsarrestedhim，lawornolaw，andforthelastfiveyearshehadbreathedtheinvigoratingairofTheLeads。Likemyselfhehadfiftysousaday，buthecoulddowhathelikedwiththemoney。Themonk，whowasalwayspenniless，toldmeagooddealtothedisadvantageofthecount，whomherepresentedasverymiserly。Heinformedmethatinthecellontheothersideofthehallthereweretwogentlemenofthe\"SevenTownships，\"whowerelikewiseimprisonedfordisobedience，butoneofthemhadbecomemad，andwasinchains；inanothercell，hesaid，thereweretwolawyers。
Mysuspicionsquieted，Ireasonedasfollows:
Iwishtoregainmylibertyatallhazards。Mypikeisanadmirableinstrument，butIcanmakenouseofitasmycellissoundedallover（excepttheceiling）everyday。IfIwouldescape，itisbytheceiling，therefore，thatwayImustgo，buttodothatImustmakeaholethroughit，andthatIcannotdofrommyside，foritwouldnotbetheworkofaday。Imusthavesomeonetohelpme；andnothavingmuchchoiceIhadtopickoutthemonk。Hewasthirty—eight，andthoughnotrichincommonsenseIjudgedthattheloveofliberty——
thefirstneedofman——wouldgivehimsufficientcouragetocarryoutanyordersImightgive。Imustbeginbytellinghimmyplaninitsentirety，andthenIshallhavetofindawaytogivehimthebar。I
had，then，twodifficultproblemsbeforeme。
Myfirststepwastoaskhimifhewishedtobefree，andifheweredisposedtohazardallinattemptinghisescapeinmycompany。Herepliedthathismateandhewoulddoanythingtobreaktheirchains，but，addedhe，\"itisofnousetobreakone’sheadagainstastonewall。\"Hefilledfourpageswiththeimpossibilitieswhichpresentedthemselvestohisfeebleintellect，forthefellowsawnochanceofsuccessonanyquarter。IrepliedthatIdidnottroublemyselfwithgeneraldifficulties，andthatinformingmyplanIhadonlythoughtofspecialdifficulties，whichIwouldfindmeanstoovercome，andI
finishedbygivinghimmywordofhonourtosethimfree，ifhewouldpromisetocarryoutexactlywhateverordersImightgive。
Hegavemehispromisetodoso。ItoldhimthatIhadapiketwentyincheslong，andwiththistoolhemustpiercetheceilingofhiscellnextthewallwhichseparatedus，andhewouldthenbeabovemyhead；hisnextstepwouldbetomakeaholeintheceilingofmycellandaidmetoescapebyit。\"Hereyourtaskwillendandminewillbegin，andIwillundertaketosetbothyouandCountAsquinatliberty。\"
HeansweredthatwhenIhadgotoutofmycellIshouldbestillinprison，andourpositionwouldbethesameasnow，asweshouldonlybeinthegarretswhichweresecuredbythreestrongdoors。
\"Iknowthat，reverendfather，\"Ireplied，\"butwearenotgoingtoescapebythedoors。Myplaniscomplete，andIwillguaranteeitssuccess。AllIaskofyouistocarryoutmydirections，andtomakenodifficulties。Doyoubusyyourselftofindoutsomewayofgettingmybarwithouttheknowledgeofthegaoler。Inthemeanwhile，makehimgetyouaboutfortypicturesofsaints，largeenoughtocoverallthewallsofyourcell。Lawrencewillsuspectnothing，andtheywilldotoconcealtheopeningyouaretomakeintheceiling。Todothiswillbetheworkofsomedays，andofmorningsLawrencewillnotseewhatyouhavedonethedaybefore，asyouwillhavecovereditupwithoneofthepictures。IfyouaskmewhyIdonotundertaketheworkmyself，Icanonlysaythatthegaolersuspectsme，andtheobjectionwilldoubtlessseemtoyouaweightyone。\"
AlthoughIhadtoldhimtothinkofaplantogetholdofthepike，I
thoughtofnothingelsemyself，andhadahappythoughtwhichI
hastenedtoputintoexecution。ItoldLawrencetobuymeafolioBible，whichhadbeenpublishedrecently；itwastheVulgatewiththeSeptuagint。Ihopedtobeabletoputthepikeinthebackofthebindingofthislargevolume，andthustoconveyittothemonk，butwhenIsawthebookIfoundthetooltobetwoincheslonger。
Mycorrespondenthadwrittentotellmethathiscellwascoveredwithpictures，andIhadcommunicatedhimmyideaabouttheBibleandthedifficultypresentedbyitswantoflength。Happyatbeingabletodisplayhisgenius，heralliedmeonthepovertyofmyimagination，tellingmethatIhadonlytosendhimthepikewrappedupinmyfox—skincloak。
\"Lawrence，\"saidhe，\"hadoftentalkedaboutyourcloak，andCountAsquinwouldarousenosuspicionbyaskingtoseeitinordertobuyoneofthesamekind。Allyouhavetodoistosenditfoldedup。
Lawrencewouldneverdreamofunfoldingit。\"
I，ontheotherhand，wassurethathewould。Inthefirstplace，becauseacloakfoldedupismoretroublesometocarrythanwhenitisunfolded。However，nottorebuffhimandatthesametimetoshewhimthatIwasthewiser，Iwrotethathehadonlytosendforthecloak。ThenextdayLawrenceaskedmeforit，andIgaveitfoldedup，butwithoutthebar，andinaquarterofanhourhebroughtitbacktome，sayingthatthegentlemanhadadmireditverymuch。
Themonkwrotemeadolefulletter，inwhichheconfessedhehadgivenmeapieceofbadadvice，addingthatIwaswrongtofollowit。
Accordingtohimthepikewaslost，asLawrencehadbroughtinthecloakallunfolded。Afterthis，allhopewasgone。Iundeceivedhim，andbeggedhimforthefuturetobealittlemoresparingofhisadvice。Itwasnecessarytobringthemattertoahead，andI
determinedtosendhimthebarundercoverofmyBible，takingmeasurestopreventthegaolerfromseeingtheendsofthegreatvolume。Myschemewasasfollows:
ItoldLawrencethatIwantedtocelebrateSt。Michael’sDaywithamacaronicheese；butwishingtoshewmygratitudetothepersonwhohadkindlylentmehisbooks，Ishouldliketomakehimalargedishofit，andtoprepareitwithmyownhands。Lawrencetoldme（ashadbeenarrangedbetweenthemonkandmyself）thatthegentlemaninquestionwishedtoreadthelargebookwhichcostthreesequins。
\"Verygood，\"saidI，\"Iwillsendithimwiththemacaroni；butgetmethelargestdishyouhave，asIwishtodothethingonagrandscale。\"
HepromisedtodowhatIaskedhim。IwrappedupthepikeinpaperandputitinthebackoftheBible，takingcarethatitprojectedanequaldistanceateachend。Now，ifIplacedontheBibleagreatdishofmacaronifullofmeltedbutterIwasquitesurethatLawrencewouldnotexaminetheends。Allhisgazewouldbeconcentratedupontheplate，toavoidspillingthegreaseonthebook。ItoldFatherBalbiofmyplan，charginghimtotakecarehowhetookthedish，andabovealltotakedishandBibletogether，andnotonebyone。
OnthedayappointedLawrencecameearlierthanusual，carryingasaucepanfullofboilingmacaroni，andallthenecessaryingredientsforseasoningthedish。Imeltedaquantityofbutter，andafterputtingthemacaroniintothedishIpouredthebutteroverittillitwasfulltothebrim。Thedishwasahugeone，andwasmuchlargerthanthebookonwhichIplacedit。Ididallthisatthedoorofmycell，Lawrencebeingoutside。
WhenallwasreadyIcarefullytookuptheBibleanddish，placingthebackofthebooknexttothebearer，andtoldLawrencetostretchouthisarmsandtakeit，tobecarefulnottospillthegreaseoverthebook，andtocarrythewholetoitsdestinationimmediately。AsIgavehimthisweightyloadIkeptmyeyesfixedonhis，andIsawtomyjoythathedidnottakehisgazeoffthebutter，whichhewasafraidofspilling。Hesaiditwouldbebettertotakethedishfirst，andthentocomebackforthebook；butItoldhimthatthiswouldspoilthepresent，andthatbothmustgotogether。HethencomplainedthatIhadputintoomuchbutter，andsaid，jokingly，thatifitwerespilthewouldnotberesponsiblefortheloss。
AssoonasIsawtheBibleinthelout’sarmsIwascertainofsuccess，ashecouldnotseetheendsofthepikewithouttwistinghishead，andIsawnoreasonwhyheshoulddiverthisgazefromtheplate，whichhehadenoughtodotocarryevenly。Ifollowedhimwithmyeyestillhedisappearedintotheante—chamberofthemonk’scell，andhe，blowinghisnosethreetimes，gavemethepre—arrangedsignalthatallwasright，whichwasconfirmedbytheappearanceofLawrenceinafewmomentsafterwards。
FatherBalbilostnotimeinsettingaboutthework，andineightdayshesucceededinmakingalargeenoughopeningintheceiling，whichhecoveredwithapicturepastedtotheceilingwithbreadcrumbs。Onthe8thofOctoberhewrotetosaythathehadpassedthewholenightinworkingatthepartitionwall，andhadonlysucceededinlooseningonebrick。Hetoldmethedifficultyofseparatingthebricksjoinedtooneanotherbyastrongcementwasenormous，buthepromisedtopersevere，\"though，\"hesaid，\"weshallonlymakeourpositionworsethanitisnow。\"ItoldhimthatIwascertainofsuccess；thathemustbelieveinmeandpersevere。
Alas！Iwascertainofnothing，butIhadtospeakthusortogiveupall。Iwasfaintoescapefromthishellonearth，whereIwasimprisonedbyamostdetestabletyranny，andIthoughtonlyofforwardingthisend，withtheresolvetosucceed，oratalleventsnottostopbeforeIcametoadifficultywhichwasinsurmountable。
Ihadreadinthegreatbookofexperiencethatinimportantschemesactionisthegrandrequisite，andthattherestmustbelefttofortune。IfIhadentrustedFatherBalbiwiththesedeepmysteriesofmoralphilosophyhewouldhavepronouncedmeamadman。
Hisworkwasonlytoilsomeonthefirstnight，forthemoreheworkedtheeasieritbecame，andwhenhehadfinishedhefoundhehadtakenoutthirty—sixbricks。
Onthe16thofOctober，asIwasengagedintranslatinganodeofHorace，Iheardatramplingnoiseabovemyhead，andthenthreelightblowswerestruck。Thiswasthesignalagreedupontoassureusthatourcalculationswerecorrect。Heworkedtilltheevening，andthenextdayhewrotethatiftheroofofmycellwasonlytwoboardsthickhisworkwouldbefinishedthatday。HeassuredmethathewascarefullymakingtheholeroundasIhadchargedhim，andthathewouldnotpiercetheceiling。Thiswasavitalpoint，astheslightestmarkwouldhaveledtodiscovery。\"Thefinaltouch，\"hesaid，\"willonlytakeaquarterofanhour。\"Ihadfixedonthedayafterthenexttoescapefrommycellatnight—timetoenternomore，forwithamateIwasquitesurethatIcouldmakeintwoorthreehoursaholeintheroofoftheducalpalace，andonceontheoutsideoftheroofIwouldtrusttochanceforthemeansofgettingtotheground。
Ihadnotyetgotsofarasthis，formybadluckhadmorethanoneobstacleinstoreforme。Onthesameday（itwasaMonday）attwoo’clockintheafternoon，whilstFatherBalbiwasatwork，Iheardthedoorofthehallbeingopened。Mybloodrancold，butIhadsufficientpresenceofmindtoknocktwice—thesignalofalarm——atwhichithadbeenagreedthatFatherBalbiwastomakehastebacktohiscellandsetallinorder。InlessthanaminuteafterwardsLawrenceopenedthedoor，andbeggedmypardonforgivingmeaveryunpleasantcompanion。Thiswasamanbetweenfortyandfifty，short，thin，ugly，andbadlydressed，wearingablackwig；whileIwaslookingathimhewasunboundbytwoguards。Ihadnoreasontodoubtthathewasaknave，sinceLawrencetoldmesobeforehisfacewithouthisdisplayingtheslightestemotion。\"TheCourt，\"Isaid，\"candowhatseemsgoodtoit。\"AfterLawrencehadbroughthimabedhetoldhimthattheCourtallowedhimtensousaday，andthenlockedusuptogether。
Overwhelmedbythisdisaster，Iglancedatthefellow，whomhiseveryfeatureproclaimedrogue。Iwasabouttospeaktohimwhenhebeganbythankingmeforhavinggothimabed。Wishingtogainhimover，I
invitedhimtotakehismealswithme。Hekissedmyhand，andaskedmeifhewouldstillbeabletoclaimthetensouswhichtheCourthadallowedhim。Onmyansweringintheaffirmativehefellonhisknees，anddrawinganenormousrosaryfromhispockethecasthisgazeallroundthecell。
\"Whatdoyouwant？\"
\"Youwillpardonme，sir，butIamlookingforsomestatueoftheHolyVirgin，forIamaChristian；iftherewereevenasmallcrucifixitwouldbesomething，forIhaveneverbeeninsomuchneedoftheprotectionofSt。Francisd’Assisi，whosenameIbear，thoughallunworthy。\"