On leaving the ship, Messer Polani had despatched a boat, to carry to his house the news that Francis had returned; and when they came back from the palace they found Giulia anxiously expecting them, and a few minutes later Matteo arrived with his brother Rufino, and Maria.  The latter was far more effusive in her greeting of Francis than Giulia had been.

“Matteo has been telling us all about it, Francis, and that he, and everyone else, owed their escape from the dungeons of Genoa entirely to your cleverness.”

“Not so much to his cleverness, Maria,” Matteo corrected, “although he is wonderful in inventing things, but to his energy, determination, and steadfastness.  There was not one of us but regarded a visit to the dungeons of Genoa as a foregone conclusion, and when Francis spoke of our recapturing the Pluto, as if it were the easiest and most natural thing in the world, it was as much as we could do not to laugh in his face.  However, he set about it as quietly and calmly as if he were carrying on the regular work of a ship.  We gradually caught some of his spirit, and when we began to see that there was a method in his madness, did our best to carry out his orders.”

“It is wonderful,” Maria said; “and do you know, Francisco, that when we first knew you, after you had rescued us from the attack on the canal, I absolutely thought that, though you were brave and straightforward and honourable, yet that by the side of our own people of your age, you were rather stupid, and ever since then I have been learning how mistaken I was.”

Francis laughed.

“I think your estimate of me was correct enough,” he said.  “You see people are often stupid one way, and sharp another.  Matteo will tell you I was far behind most of those in the seminary in learning lessons, and certainly when it came to talking, and bandying jokes, I had no chance at all.  I suppose that every lady I have ever spoken to, when I have been with you at entertainments, has thought me exceptionally stupid; and I am sure I am, in most things, only I suppose I have got a fair share of common sense, and a habit of thinking for myself.  There was no cleverness at all in anything that Matteo is telling you of.

“It was just the same here as it was when I was in that cell near Tunis.  I wanted to get out.  I supposed there must be some way out, if I could but discover it, and so I sat down to think how it was to be done; and of course, after trying in my mind every possible scheme, I hit upon the right one.  There certainly was nothing clever in that.”

“But I have heard nothing about it yet,” Giulia said; “and everyone else seems to know how it was done.”

“Matteo, do you tell Giulia,” Maria ordered.  “I have lots of questions to ask Francis.”

“By the way, Francis,” Messer Polani said, “you will be glad to hear that I have succeeded in getting home your man Giuseppi.  He returned two days ago, and I have no doubt is somewhere below waiting to see you.”