Besides, I should think that it was Mocenigo's intention to join them, wherever they may be, as soon as he learned that they were in the hands of his accomplices.

Your fortunate discovery that they had gone, so soon after they had been carried off, and your going straight to him armed with the order of the council, probably upset his calculations, for it is likely enough that his agents had not arrived at the house, and that he learned from you, for the first time, that his plans had succeeded.

Had you arrived two or three hours later, you might have found him gone." "That is what I calculated, Francisco.

His agents had but four hours' start of me.

They would, no doubt, carry the girls to the place of concealment chosen, and would then bear the news to him; whereas I, going direct in one of the state gondolas, might reach him before they did, and I feel assured that I did so.
"It was nigh midnight when I arrived, but he was still up, and I doubt not awaiting the arrival of the villains he had employed.