seemed satisfactorily to make
way for the arrangement that the gondola was to call for the two ladies
the next morning.

"Giuseppe," Weatheral demanded as he stepped out of the gondola at the
hotel landing, "how much do I pay you?"

"Sixty francs, _Signore_."

Peter had no doubt the extra ten was divided between his own man and the
gondolier, but he was not thinking of that.

"I have a very short memory," he said, "and I have told the _Signora_
and the _Signorina_ forty francs. If they ask you, you are to tell them
forty francs; and listen, Beppe, every franc over that you tell them, I
shall deduct from your _pourboire_ when I leave, do you understand?"

"_Si, Signore_."

VIII

A morning or two after the arrangement about the gondola Peter was
leaning over the bridge of San Moise watching the sun on the copper
vessels the women brought to the fountain, when his man came to him.
This Luigi he had picked up at Naples for the chief excellence of his
English and a certain seraphic bearing that led Peter to say to him that
he would cheerfully pay a much larger wage if he could only be certain
Luigi would not cheat him.

"Oh _Signore!_ In Italy? _Impossible!_"

"In that case," said Peter, "if you can't be honest with me, be as
honest as you can"--but he had to accept the lifted shoulders and the
Raphael smile as his only security. However, Luigi had made him
comfortable and as he approached him now it was without any misgiving.

"I have just seen Giuseppe and the gondola," he announced. "They are at
the Palazza Rezzonico, and after that they go to San Georgio degli
Sclavoni. There are pictures there."

"Oh!" said Peter.

"It is a very little way to the San Georgio," volunteered Luigi as they
remained, master and man, looking down into the water in the leisurely
Venetian fashion. "Across the Piazza," said Luigi, "a couple of turns, a
bridge or two and there you are;" and after a long pause, "_The signore_
is looking very well this morning. Exercise in the sea air is excellent
for the health."

"Very," said Peter. "I shall go for a walk, I think. I shall not need
you, Luigi."

Nevertheless Luigi did not lose sight of him until he was well on his
way to Saint George of the Sclavoni which announced itself by the
ramping fat dragon over the door. There was the young knight riding him
down as of old, and still no Princess.

"She must be somewhere on the premises," said Peter to himself. "No
doubt she h