He paid the boatman, who seemed to have no energy left to dispute the fare, telling him in the same low voice that if he cared to wait he might perhaps row them back within an hour or so.

Then they climbed steps and entered a narrow street where there was no canal, on either side of which stood tall houses or dark frowning gateways.
Just as they stepped into the shadow of this street they heard the prow of another boat grate against the marble steps behind them and caught the faint sound of talk, apparently between their rower and others in the second boat.
"Forward, Sir Hugh," said Day a little nervously.

"This part of Venice has no good name, for many wicked deeds are done here, but soon we shall be through it." So they stepped out briskly, and when they were about half-way down the street heard other steps behind them.

They turned and looked back through the gloom, whereon the sound of the following steps died away.
They pushed on again, and so, unless the echo deceived them, did those quick, stealthy steps.

Then, as though by common consent, though no one gave the word, they broke into a run and gained the end of the street, which they now saw led into a large open space lit by the light of the great moon, that broke suddenly through the veil of cloud or mist.
Again, as though by common consent, they wheeled round, Hugh drawing his sword, and perceived emerging from the street six or seven cloaked fellows, who, on catching sight of the flash of steel, halted and melted back into the gloom.
"Who follow us so fast ?" asked Hugh.
"Thieves, I think," answered David, even more nervously than before, adding, "but if so, we are safe from them here." "Yes, sure enough," said Grey Dick, "for I can shoot by moonlight," and, drawing the black bow from its case, which he threw to the lad to carry, he strung it, after which they saw no more of their pursuers.
Having waited a while, they began to examine the spot where they found themselves, which Day told them was that Place of Arms where they must fight on the morrow.