The judge was a big ape of the gorilla tribe--an old ape respectable
for his age, his white beard, but especially for his gold spectacles
without glasses that he always was obliged to wear, on account of an
inflammation of the eyes that had tormented him for many years.
Pinocchio related in the presence of the judge all the particulars of
the infamous fraud of which he had been the victim. He gave the names,
the surnames, and other details, of the two rascals, and ended by
demanding justice.
The judge listened with great benignity; took a lively interest in the
story; and was much touched and moved; and when the puppet had nothing
further to say he stretched out his hand and rang a bell.
At this summons two mastiffs immediately appeared dressed as
gendarmes. The judge then, pointing to Pinocchio said to them:
"That poor devil has been robbed of four gold pieces; take him up, and
put him immediately into prison."
The puppet was petrified on hearing this unexpected sentence, and
tried to protest; but the gendarmes, to avoid losing time, stopped his
mouth, and carried him off to the lockup.
And there he remained for four months--four long months--and he would
have remained longer still if a fortunate chance had not released him.
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