he runaway gondola had
perhaps a hundred yards the best of it. Achille hung on, neither losing
nor gaining a foot.

"Sit down, signori!" said Achille.

Hillard and Merrihew tumbled back upon the cushions.

"We shall not lose them this time, Dan."

"Are we gaining?"

"Not yet. But wait till they turn into some small canal."

The first loop of the Grand Canal was turned; still Pompeo made no
effort to seek the smaller canals. Not till he passed under the Rialto,
which afforded him a deep shadow, did he turn. Swiftly he bore into the
canal which was filled with the postal-gondolas. But not so soon that
Achille did not perceive and follow. On and on, soundless; now the
pursuer had the advantage over the pursued. It was Pompeo who had to
watch, to call; Achille had only to hang on. And he was gaining. A
moment later less than ten yards intervened. O for some clumsy barge to
bar the way! Round past the Teatro Malibran, into the Rio di San Marina,
into a smaller canal again. Hillard now knew whither they were bound:
the Campo Formosa.

At each stroke Merrihew swung forward his body. The end of the race came
sooner than any one expected. A police barge nosed round an ell; by the
time Pompeo was off again, the ferrule of the pursuing gondola scraped
past Pompeo's blade. Pompeo called and Achille answered. There was a war
of words, figure of a dog, name of a pig. Achille was in the wrong, but
ten lire were ten lire. And he knew that his gentlemen meant no harm.

Hillard caught the gondola by the rail and clung. The canal, lined with
a dozen lime barges, became so narrow that Achille could scarce paddle,
and Pompeo's oar was useless, being partly under the opposing gondola.
The race was over.

"Signorina," said Pompeo, boiling with rage, "shall I call the police?"

"No, Pompeo," said his solitary passenger.

When Merrihew saw that she was alone, his heart became heavy, and the
joy of the chase was gone. But not so with Hillard. At last!

"To the Campo, Pompeo. Mr. Hillard, will you kindly follow? I would
speak to you alone, since there is no escape."

Her tone chilled Hillard's ardor somewhat. But to speak to her again,
and mayhap see her face!

"Doesn't want the police," whispered Merrihew. "I told you so. Look out
for yourself."

The gondolas became free presently, and the way to the Campo Formosa was
made without further incident.

"She wishes to see me alone, Dan. You stay in the boat, I'll find out
where