s of the house, part of it they
may get out from the sailors, who, over their wine cups, are not given
to reticence. The council may not have pressed Polani on this point,
but, take my word for it, some of them, at least, will endeavour to get
to the bottom of it, especially Mocenigo's connections, who will
naturally be alarmed at the thought that there is somewhere a traitor
among their own ranks.

"The affair has become very serious, Francis, and far beyond the
compass of a boyish scrape, and no time must be lost in getting you out
of Venice. I have no doubt Polani will see the matter in the same
light, for he knows the ways of his countrymen even better than I do."

The interview between the two traders was a long one. At its conclusion
Francis was sent for.

"Francis," his father said, "Signor Polani has had the kindness to make
me offers of a most generous nature."

"Not at all, Messer Hammond," the Venetian interrupted. "Let there be
no mistake upon that score. Your son has rendered me services
impossible for me ever to repay adequately. He has laid me under an
obligation greater than I can ever discharge. At the same time,
fortunately, I am in a position to be able to further his interests in
life.

"I have proposed, Francisco, that you shall enter my house at once. You
will, of course, for some years learn the business, but you will do so
in the position which a son of mine would occupy, and when you come of
age, you will take your place as a partner with me.

"Your father will return to England. He informs me that he is now
longing to return to his own country, and has for some time been
thinking of doing so. I have proposed to him that he shall act as my
agent there. Hitherto I have not traded direct with England; in future
I shall do so largely. Your father has explained to me somewhat of his
transactions, and I see there is good profit to be made on trade with
London, by a merchant who has the advantage of the advice and
assistance of one, like your father, thoroughly conversant in the
trade. Thus, I hope that the arrangement will be largely to our mutual
advantage. As to yourself, you will probably be reluctant to establish
yourself for life in this country; but there is no reason why, in time,
when your father wishes to retire from business, you should not
establish yourself in London, in charge of the English branch of our
house."

"I am most grateful to you for your offer, signor, which is vastl