“I’ll wait,” he said.  “I promise you shall regret those words before I am through with you.”

“And when do we start?” asked Chester.

“To-night; after dark.  A special train will be ready for the Austrian ambassador and his suite.  You shall go with us.  Of course the ambassador shall know nothing of your presence, for he would not permit me to work out a personal grudge in this way.  I shall keep you out of his sight.”

“The ambassador has been given his passports then?” asked Chester.

“He has, to Italy’s sorrow.  We shall wipe her off the map.”

“Don’t forget you have a pretty sizable job on your hands already,” said Hal.

Robard made no reply, but turning on his heel, strode from the room.

CHAPTER X.

Venice.

As the boys had feared, they were given no opportunity to make a personal appeal to the Austrian ambassador.  All day long they were kept in their improvised prison.  They slept a little and talked a little, but try as they would they were unable to so much as loosen their bonds.  But they all agreed on one thing, as expressed by Chester: 

“We’ll make a break for freedom at the first opportunity, no matter what the odds against us.”

One of Robard’s hirelings brought them a bite to eat about noon and again shortly after 6 o’clock.  Darkness fell and still Robard himself had failed to appear.

“Maybe the time for departure has been postponed,” said Chester.

“Hardly,” replied Uncle John.  “If the ambassador has been given his passports and has made arrangements to leave Italy he’ll probably go at the appointed time.”

It was at this juncture that footsteps were heard without.  The key turned in the lock and a moment later Robard stood before them.

“Well,” he said cheerfully, “all ready for your little trip?”

“We’re not what you would call ready,” replied Hal, with an attempt at levity, “but if you say it’s time to move, we may as well agree with you.”

“Your reasoning is to be commended,” said Robard.  He stepped to the door and raised his voice in a shout.  A moment later a second man stood beside him.  “Untie these fellows while I keep them covered,” he ordered, at the same time producing a brace of automatics.

The man stepped forward and with a few quick movements relieved the prisoners of their bonds.  He stepped back.

“Stand up!” commanded Robard, levelling his revolvers, “and mind, no tricks.”

Hal, Chester and Uncle John obeyed.  It was a wonderful relief to be on their feet again and be able to stretch their cramped muscles.

“By George! this feels better,” said Chester.

“Rather,” agreed Hal dryly.

Robard moved to one side of the room.

“Out you go,” he said, motioning toward the door with his revolver, but still keeping the three covered.