ear saintliness as most of us will ever
get.

How the warm sunshine brightens the worn marbles, or flashes from the
many windows, or sparkles from the oriental domes! And the colored
marbles of the ducal palace fairly palpitate. In the bronze fountain at
the left of the cathedral will be more doves taking their morning
ablutions.

It was such a picture Merrihew and Hillard, his guide, came upon the
morning following their arrival. They had not visited it during the
night. They had, with the usual impatience of men, gone directly to the
Campo Santa Maria Formosa for the great reward. They had watched and
waited till near midnight, but in vain. For once Hillard's usual
keenness had been at fault. He had forgotten that the Campo was to be
entered from two ways, by gondola and by foot. He and Merrihew had
simply guarded the bridge.

"I wonder why Giovanni ran away last night," said Merrihew, balancing a
dove on his hand.

"I wonder, too," replied Hillard. "It is possible that he did not
recognize me. I find that each day means a new wonder of some sort.
Giovanni knows that I would do anything in my power to help him. But he
runs away at the sight of me. In fact, they _all_ run away from me. I
must have the evil eye." He was shaking the cornucopia free of the last
kernel of corn when he saw something which caused him to stifle an
exclamation. "Dan," he said, "keep on feeding the doves. If I'm not back
inside of ten minutes, return to the hotel and wait for me. No
questions; I'll tell you everything later."

Merrihew's eyes widened. What now? His tongue longed to wag, but by this
time he was readily obeying Hillard in all things.

A neat little woman was buying corn. Hillard stepped over to her and
touched her arm. As she faced him, he raised his hat, smiling.

"Oh!" The corn spilled in a golden shower, and the doves, fickle as all
flighty things are, deserted Merrihew for the moment.

"And where may I find your distinguished mistress?" Hillard asked
pleasantly.

"She is not in the Campo Formosa, signore." Bettina, recovering her
scattered wits, laughed.

"But you were--last night."

"Yes. I watched you and your friend for some time." Bettina's eyes were
merry. She would play with him. Everything was so tedious now.

"Your mistress is in Venice."

"Perhaps. At least her maid is."

"I should not dare suggest a bribe," he said slyly.

"You might make the attempt, just to see what I should do."

Merrihew st