Every piece of information which seemed to bear, in the slightest degree, upon the affair was investigated, but in no case was it found of the slightest utility.
One evening he was returning late, tired by the long day's work, and discouraged with his utter want of success, when, just as he had passed under the Ponto Maggiore, the lights on the bridge fell on the faces of the sitters in a gondola coming the other way.

They were a man and a woman.

The latter was closely veiled.

But the night was close and oppressive, and, just at the moment when Francis' eyes fell upon her, she lifted her veil for air.

Francis recognized her instantly.