the singers.

As the weather grew warmer, the evenings on the canal grew longer and
longer. Sometimes the gondolas would join together in long chains and
float about in the moonlight with every one joining in the singing. On
festival nights there were Chinese lanterns in every prow, and the
boats, flitting about over the water, looked like giant fireflies at
play.

In this way three weeks drifted by, and at last it was June, and still
the children had made no progress toward freedom.

CHAPTER EIGHT.

BEPPO HAS A PLAN.

One day, when they had just finished a performance in the piazza and
were allowed to wander for a few moments by themselves, Beppo drew
Beppina to the water's edge, and, looking up at the winged lion of Saint
Mark's, said to her, "Do you remember what Carlotta said about having to
have a boat, a railroad ticket, or wings to get out of Venice?"

Beppina remembered very well.

"The wings on that lion made me think of it," said Beppo, "and I've
thought of something else too. There's another thing you need, and
that's brains! I've got those, and I'm going to get out of this
water-soaked old place or die in the attempt!"

"Oh, Beppo," breathed Beppina, "how?"

"I've got it all planned," said Beppo.

"I guess Saint Anthony must have put it into your head," sighed Beppina,
"for he takes care of all the lost people. Anyway, you haven't thought
of anything before."

"I thought of this my own self," said Beppo, rather resentfully.

"Well," said Beppina, clasping her hands, "you think, and I'll pray.
I'm going to begin a novena. I'll pray hard to Saint Anthony every day
for nine days, and ask him to please, please guide us! I'm going to
begin right now." She crossed herself and began moving her lips in
prayer, but got no farther than "Blessed Saint Anthony," when Beppo
nudged her with his elbow.

"Stop it!" he whispered, "here comes the old cat." (He meant Carlotta.)
"Don't you let her catch you praying to Saint Anthony, or she'll know
what we're up to. You can pray like fury, but say your prayers in your
heart, and then some night if I wake you up, you just keep as still as a
mouse and follow me."

Carlotta reached them just then and ordered them to go with her back to
the Cathedral to sing, and all that day there was no chance for Beppo to
explain his great idea. Beppina caught him many times with his forehead
all snarled up as if he were trying to think how much 9 times 7 was, or
som