“They do not differ from other rocks, as far as I can see.  They are very rugged and very rough, and would be very awkward if they lay out at sea instead of in this little bay, where they are in nobody’s way.  Is it not enough that you have tramped two miles to have a look at them, which means four miles, as we have got to return somehow?  And now you talk about climbing down that break-neck cliff to have a look at them close!”

But Francis paid no attention to Matteo’s words.  He was gazing down into the clear smooth water, which was so transparent that every stone and pebble at the bottom could be seen.

“The water looks extremely shallow, Giuseppi.  What do you think?”

“It seems to me, signor, that there is not a foot of water between the rocks and the shore.”

“It does look so, Giuseppi; but it is possible that the transparency of the water deceives us, and that there may be ten or twelve feet of water there.  However, that is what we must go down and find out.  Now the first thing is to look about, and find some point at which we can get down to the beach.”

“Well, I will lie down and take a nap till you come back,” Matteo said in a tone of resignation.  “I have no interest either in these rocks or in the water; and as far as I can protest, I do so against the whole proceeding, which to me savours of madness.”

“Don’t you understand, you silly fellow, what I am thinking about?” Francis said impatiently.

“Not in the smallest degree, Francisco; but do not trouble to tell me—­it makes no matter.  You have some idea in your head.  Carry it out by all means; only don’t ask me to cut my hands, tear my clothes, and put myself into a perspiration by climbing down that cliff.”

“My idea is this, Matteo.  There is no chance of carrying off the Lido by speed from the Genoese; but if we could get her out of the bay we might bring her round here and lay her behind those rocks, and the Genoese would pass by without dreaming she was there.  Half a mile out those rocks would look as if they form part of the cliff, and none would suspect there was a passage behind them.”

“That is something like an idea!” Matteo said, jumping to his feet.  “Why did you not tell me of it before?  You have quite alarmed me.  Seriously, I began to think that you had become a little mad, and was wondering whether I had not better go back and fetch the captain and some of his men to look after you.

“Now let us look at your rocks again.  Why, man, there is not water enough to float a boat between them and the shore, much less the Lido, which draws nine foot of water now she is loaded.”

“I don’t know, Matteo.  Looking down on water from a height is very deceiving.  If it is clear and transparent, there is nothing to enable you to judge its depth.  At any rate it is worth trying.  Before we go down, we will cut some long stiff rods with which we can measure the depth.  But we have first to find a place where we can get down to the water.”