nd
you may find that this adventure has created for you enemies not to be
despised."

"I can't help it if it has," Francis said carelessly. "On the other
hand, it will gain for me an influential friend in Signor Polani, who
is not only one of the richest merchants of Venice, but closely related
to a number of the best families of the city."

"His influence will not protect you against the point of a dagger,"
Giuseppi said. "Your share in this business cannot but become public,
and I think that it would be wise to give up our evening excursions at
present."

"I don't agree with you, Giuseppi. We don't go about with torches
burning, so no one who meets us is likely to recognize us. One gondola
in the dark is pretty much like another, and however many enemies I
had, I should not be afraid of traversing the canals."

The next morning, at breakfast time, Francis related to his father his
adventure of the previous evening.

"It is a mistake, my son, to mix yourself up in broils which do not
concern you; but in the present instance it may be that your adventure
will turn out to be advantageous to your prospects. Signor Polani is
one of the most illustrious merchants of Venice. His name is known
everywhere in the East, and there is not a port in the Levant where his
galleys do not trade. The friendship of such a man cannot but be most
useful to me.

"Upon the other hand, you will probably make some enemies by your
interference with the plans of some unscrupulous young noble, and
Venice is not a healthy city for those who have powerful enemies; still
I think that the advantages will more than balance the risk.

"However, Francis, you must curb your spirit of adventure. You are not
the son of a baron or count, and the winning of honour and glory by
deeds of arms neither befits you, nor would be of advantage to you in
any way. A trader of the city of London should be distinguished for his
probity and his attention to business; and methinks that, ere long, it
will be well to send you home to take your place in the counting house
under the eye of my partner, John Pearson.

"Hitherto I have not checked your love for arms, or your intercourse
with youths of far higher rank than your own; but I have been for some
time doubting the wisdom of my course in bringing you out here with me,
and have regretted that I did not leave you in good hands at home. The
events of last night show that the time is fast approaching when you
can