These mailboxes were marked ‘Per Denontie Segrete’ and literally anyone who thought another citizen was up to no good, could put a name on a piece of paper and slip it into the lion’s mouth. Accusations were always investigated. The mighty ‘council of ten’, who operated from within the Doges Palace held sway over the city’s affairs, sometimes tried the accused. Sentences were harsh – the death penalty was without appeal, for instance.