Signor Plati, thunderstruck as he was, said what he could in his own defence; but his feeble voice, which was scarcely audible at two paces from him, stood no chance with that of my landlord, which could be distinctly heard from one end of the street to the other. The people, therefore, who generally give the palm in such cases to him who makes the most noise, no longer doubting the justice of my complaint, cried aloud, that the banker should be compelled instantly to refund. The Bargello, addressing himself to the accused, represented to him, “that it was in vain to resist in retaining money which did not belong to him; that he would be compelled to make restitution, and that it was his duty to search his house for the casket and bag. Give me,” added he, “the key of your strong box; let us begin by visiting that, as your accuser affirms it is there you have deposited them.” Plati being apprehensive of pillage during this uproar could not make up his mind to deliver the key; upon which the general cry was to lead him to prison. “We will do better than that,” said the officer, “if he obey not this instant, I will have the strong box forced open.” The unfortunate banker seeing that all resistance was useless, drew from his pocket the key, and delivered it into the hands of the officer, who, after having chosen four citizens out of those present, to be witness of the intended ceremony, opened the strong box before them and Plati, who almost fainted away when the gilt casket and bag were drawn forth. The Bargello then turning to this poor devil, “friend,” said he, “did you not say you would forfeit your life and property if this casket were found in your house? what if we take you at your word? Good heavens! what a trustworthy banker.” Thus saying, he shut down the strong box, and held up the casket in one hand and the bag in the other. The company present no sooner saw them, than they began, especially mine host, to load the banker with curses and revilings. The officer, in order to sift the thing to the bottom, determined to open the casket. He asked me if I had the key. I drew it from my pocket, and handed it to him. The first thing that presented itself to his view, was the specification in these terms: “_This Casket contains nine hundred and sixty pistoles in gold, and ten quadruples; the whole making one thousand pistoles, and belonging to Don Juan Osorio._” The quadruples were in a parcel by themselves. These he shewed to the banker, and then proceeded to open the bag in which were found the thirty Roman crowns and the others with a similar account.