I can understand well enough why it was to be kept a secret, and why my cousin is anxious to get you out of Venice at once." Francis related the manner in which he first became acquainted with the existence of the hut on the island, and the fact of its being frequented by Ruggiero Mocenigo; and how, on catching sight of the gouvernante in a gondola, and seeing her make out across the lagoons, the idea struck him that the girls were confined in the hut.
"It is all very simple, you see, Matteo," he concluded.
"I will never say anything against learning to row a gondola in future," Matteo said, "for it seems to lead to all sorts of adventures; and unless you could have rowed well, you would never have got back to tell the story.

But it is certain that it is a good thing you are leaving Venice for a time, for Ruggiero's friends may find out the share you had in it from some of my cousin's servants.

You may be sure that they will do their best to discover how he came to be informed of the hiding place, and he is quite right to send you off at once." "What! are you going away, Francisco ?" the two girls exclaimed together.
"I am sailing tomorrow in one of your father's ships, signoras." "And you are not coming back again ?" Maria exclaimed.
"I hope to have the pleasure of seeing you again before very long, signora.

I am entering your father's service for good, and shall be backwards and forwards to Venice as the ship comes and goes.

My father is returning to England, and Signor Polani has most kindly requested me to make my home with him whenever I am in port." "That is better," Maria said.