that I think it really matters, or that we shall ever hear anything
more of it. We may, perhaps, some day see the result of this
conspiracy, that is, if its objects are such as I guess them to be;
namely, to form a party opposed to war with Hungary, Padua, or Genoa."

For some days after this Francis abstained from late excursions in the
gondola. It was improbable that he or Giuseppi would be recognized did
their late passenger meet them. Still, it was possible that they might
be so; and when he went out he sat quietly among the cushions while
Giuseppi rowed, as it would be a pair-oared gondola the stranger would
be looking for. He was sure that the conspirator would feel uneasy when
the boat did not come to the rendezvous, especially when they found
that, on three successive days, figures were marked as had been
arranged on the column at the corner of the Piazzetta.

Giuseppi learned indeed, a week later, that inquiries had been made
among the gondoliers for a boat rowed by two brothers, Giovanni and
Beppo; and the inquirer, who was dressed as a retainer of a noble
family, had offered five ducats reward for information concerning it.
No such names, however, were down upon the register of gondoliers
licensed to ply for hire. Giuseppi learned that the search had been
conducted quietly but vigorously, and that several young gondoliers who
rowed together had been seen and questioned.

The general opinion, among the boatmen, was that some lady must have
been carried off, and that her friends were seeking for a clue as to
the spot to which she had been taken.

One evening Francis had been strolling on the Piazza with Matteo, and
had remained out later than he had done since the night of his last
visit to San Nicolo. He took his seat in the gondola, and when Giuseppi
asked him if he would go home, said he would first take a turn or two
on the Grand Canal as the night was close and sultry.

There was no moon now, and most of the gondolas carried torches.
Giuseppi was paddling quietly, when a pair-oared gondola shot past
them, and by the light of the torch it carried, Francis recognized the
ladies sitting in it to be Maria and Giulia Polani with their duenna;
two armed retainers sat behind them. They were, Francis supposed,
returning from spending the evening at the house of some of their
friends. There were but few boats now passing along the canal.

Polani's gondola was a considerable distance ahead, when Francis heard