in his pleasures, Signore?"

"It is not necessary. We have found means to lure him from his palace,
and he is now in thy power, with no other hope than that which may come
from his single arm and courage. Wilt thou take the service?"

"Gladly, Signore--It is my humor to encounter the brave."

"Thou wilt be gratified. The Neapolitan has thwarted me in my--shall I
call it love, Hosea; or hast thou a better name?"

"Just Daniel! Signor Giacomo, you have no respect for reputations and
surety! I see no necessity for a home thrust, Master Jacopo; but a smart
wound, that may put matrimony out of the head of the Duca for a time at
least, and penitence into its place, would be better--"

"Strike to the heart!" interrupted Giacomo. "It is the certainty of thy
blow which has caused me to seek thee."

"This is usurious vengeance, Signor Giacomo," returned the less resolute
Jew. "'Twill be more than sufficient for our purposes, if we cause the
Neapolitan to keep house for a month."

"Send him to his grave. Harkee, Jacopo, a hundred for thy blow--a second
for insurance of its depth--a third if the body shall be buried in the
Orfano, so that the water will never give back the secret."

"If the two first must be performed, the last will be prudent caution,"
muttered the Jew, who was a wary villain, and who greatly preferred such
secondary expedients as might lighten the load on his conscience. "You
will not trust, young Signore, to a smart wound?"

"Not a sequin. 'Twill be heating the fancy of the girl with hopes and
pity. Dost thou accept the terms, Jacopo?"

"I do."

"Then row to the Lido. Among the graves of Hosea's people--why dost thou
pull at my skirts, Jew! would'st thou hope to deceive a man of this
character with a flimsy lie--among the graves of Hosea's people thou
wilt meet Don Camillo within the hour. He is deluded by a pretended
letter from the lady of our common pursuit, and will be alone, in the
hopes of flight; I trust to thee to hasten the latter, so far as the
Neapolitan is concerned. Dost take my meaning?"

"Signore, it is plain."

"'Tis enough. Thou knowest me, and can take the steps necessary for thy
reward as thou shalt serve me. Hosea, our affair is ended."

Giacomo Gradenigo made a sign for his gondola to approach, and dropping
a sack which contained the retainer in this bloody business, he passed
into it with the indifference of one who had been accustomed to consider
such means of attaining hi