Signor Polani accompanied Francis to the steps, while two servants held torches while he took his seat in the gondola, and remained standing there until the barque had shot away beyond the circle of light.

“We seem fated to have adventures, Giuseppi.”

“We do indeed, Messer Francisco, and this is more to my liking than the last.  We arrived just at the nick of time; another half minute and those young ladies would have been carried off.  That was a rare blow you dealt their leader.  I fancy he never came up again, and that that is why we got away without being chased.”

“I am of that opinion myself, Giuseppi.”

“If that is the case we shall not have heard the last of it, Messer Francisco.  Only someone of a powerful family would venture upon so bold a deed, as to try to carry off ladies of birth on the Grand Canal, and 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.