Stranica 116 [116]
OCR
100 PINOCCHIO He rushed back to the town in a state of desperation, and went at once to the Courts of Justice to denounce the two knaves who had robbed him to the judge. 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 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; was much touched and moved; and when the puppet had nothing further to say 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 to prison.” The puppet was petrified on hearing this unexpected sentence, and tried to protest; but
