ire burned in the open hearth, and a pot hung over
it, and two others stood on the hearth.

"Let us see what they have got here," Francis said, while the merchant
leaned against the table with an air of profound depression, paying no
attention to what he was doing.

"A soup," Francis said, lifting the lid from the pot over the fire,
"and, by the smell, a good one."

Then he lifted the other pots simmering among the burning brands.

"A ragout of kid and a boiled fish. Signor Polani, this is no
fisherman's meal. Either these men expect visitors of a much higher
degree than themselves, or your daughters are somewhere close.

"Oh! there is a door."

"It can lead nowhere," Polani said. "The sand is piled up to the roof
on that side of the house."

"It is," Francis agreed; "but there may be a lower room there,
completely covered with the sand. At any rate, we will see."

He pushed against the door, but it did not give in the slightest.

"It may be the sand," he said. "It may be bolts."

He went to the outside door, and called in the sailors with the
hatchets.

"Break open that door," he said.

"There is a space behind," he exclaimed, as the first blow was given.
"It is hollow, I swear. It would be a different sound altogether if
sand was piled up against it."

A dozen blows and the fastenings gave, and, sword in hand, the merchant
and Francis rushed through.

Both gave a shout of delight. They were in a room built out at the back
of the hut. It was richly furnished, and hangings of Eastern stuffs
covered the walls. A burning lamp hung from the ceiling. Two men stood
irresolute with drawn swords, having apparently turned round just as
the door gave way; for as it did so, two figures struggled to their
feet from a couch behind them, for some shawls had been wrapped round
their heads, and with a cry of delight rushed forward to meet their
rescuers. Seated at the end of the couch, with bowed down head, was
another female figure.

"Maria--Giulia!" the merchant exclaimed, as, dropping his sword, he
clasped his daughters in his arms.

Francis, followed by the two sailors with hatchets, advanced towards
the men.

"Drop your swords and surrender," he said. "Resistance is useless.
There are a dozen men outside."

The men threw their swords down on the ground.

"Lead them outside, and bind them securely," Francis said.

For the next minute or two, few words were spoken. The girls sobbed
with delight on their f