On quitting the prison the pilgrim hied him forthwith to the
signory, and being closeted with a knight that was in charge, thus
spoke: "My lord, 'tis the duty of all, and most especially of those
who hold your place, zealously to bestir themselves that the truth be
brought to light, in order as well that those bear not the penalty
who have not committed the crime, as that the guilty be punished.
And that this may come to pass to your honour and the undoing
of the delinquent, I am come hither to you. [076]You wot that you
have dealt rigorously with Aldobrandino Palermini, and have found,
as you think, that 'twas he that slew Tedaldo Elisei, and you are
about to condemn him; wherein you are most certainly in error, as
I doubt not before midnight to prove to you, delivering the murderers
into your hands."
[077]
The worthy knight, who was not without pity
for Aldobrandino, readily gave ear to the pilgrim's words. He
conversed at large with him, and availing himself of his guidance,
made an easy capture of the two brothers that kept the inn and their
servant in their first sleep. He was about to put them the torture, to
elicit the true state of the case, when, their courage failing, they
confessed without the least reserve, severally at first, and then jointly,
that 'twas they that had slain Tedaldo Elisei, not knowing who he
was. Asked for why, they answered that 'twas because he had
sorely harassed the wife of one of them, and would have constrained
her to do his pleasure, while they were out of doors.
[078]
Whereof the
pilgrim was no sooner apprised, than by leave of the knight he withdrew,
and hied him privily to the house of Madonna Ermellina, whom
(the rest of the household being gone to bed) he found awaiting him
alone, and equally anxious for good news of her husband and a
complete reconciliation with her Tedaldo. On entering, he blithely
exclaimed: "Rejoice, dearest my lady, for thou mayst rest assured
that to-morrow thou shalt have thy Aldobrandino back here safe and
sound;" and to confirm her faith in his words, he told her all that
he had done.
[079]
Greater joy was never woman's than hers of two such
glad surprises; to wit, to have Tedaldo with her alive again, whom
she had wailed for verily dead, and to know Aldobrandino, whom she
had thought in no long time to wail for dead, now out of jeopardy.
Wherefore, when she had affectionately embraced and kissed her
Tedaldo, they hied them to bed together, and with hearty goodwill
made gracious and gladsome consummation of their peace by
interchange of sweet solace.
