One of them Francis recognized, as being a man of much influence among the fishermen and sailors.

The other two were unknown to him.
As upwards of an hour had been spent in making the two holes and taking observations, Francis thought it better now to make his way back to his boat, especially as it was evident that he would gain nothing by remaining longer.

Therefore, after taking the same precautions as before, to conceal all signs of his presence, he made his way across the sands back to his gondola.
"Heaven be praised, you are back again!" Giuseppi said, when he heard his low whistle, as he came down to the boat.

"I have been in a fever ever since I lost sight of you.

Have you succeeded ?" "I have found out that there is certainly a plot of some sort being got up, and I know some of those concerned in it, but I could hear nothing that went on.