A servant was sleeping on a bench in the hall.

He started up as Francis entered.
"I have orders to let my master know, as soon as you return, signor." "You can tell him, at the same time, that I have returned without hurt, and pray him not to disturb himself, as I can tell him what has taken place in the morning." Polani, however, at once came to Francis' room.
"Thank Heaven you have returned safe to us, my boy!" he said.

"I have just knocked at the girls' doors, to tell them of your return, and, by the quickness with which they answered, I am sure that they, like myself, have had no sleep.

Have you succeeded in your mission ?" "Perfectly, signor.

I have been to Chioggia itself, and to the entrances of the three passages, and have discovered that none of them are guarded by any force that could resist us." "But how did you manage to pass through their galleys ?" "I landed on this side of Pelestrina, and had the gondola carried across, and launched in the channel inside their cordon; and it was not until we entered the last passage--that by Brondolo--that we were noticed.