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Updated: June 13, 2025
"No, signor, I have no doubt whatever that it is the same person." "That will do," the council said. "You can retire; and we thank you, in the name of justice, for the evidence you have given." Francis was led back to the gondola, and conveyed to his father's house. An hour later Signor Polani arrived.
Signor Polani struck a gong. "Let a gondola be manned instantly," he said, "and let six of you take arms and go in search of our boat. Let another man at once summon a leech, for some of those on board are, I fear, grievously wounded, if not killed."
Yes, I think I might do that; and as a first step, I give you my promise not to name you, unless I find it absolutely necessary. You may as well remain here in the gondola until I return." It was upwards of an hour before Signor Polani came back to the boat. "I have succeeded," he said, "in keeping your name out of it.
"It is a good opportunity, certainly," Francis said; "but they would know that Venice would, sooner or later, reckon with them; and would demand a four-fold indemnity for any losses her merchants may have suffered. "However, I will not detain you longer. Will you tell Signor Polani that you met us, and that we were making good progress, and hoped to reach Corfu some time tomorrow?"
It is lucky I was not five minutes later, or I should have missed him." "Have you heard the news, Francisco? My cousins are rescued! I have been out this morning and have only just heard it, and I was on the point of starting to tell you." "Your news is old, Matteo. I knew it hours ago." "And I hear," Matteo went on, "that Polani found them in a hut on San Nicolo.
"Did you see any badge or cognizance, either on the gondola or on the persons of the assailants?" "I did not," Francis said. "They certainly wore none. One of the torches in the Polani gondola had been extinguished in the fray, but the other was still burning, and, had the gondoliers worn coloured sashes or other distinguishing marks, I should have noticed them."
He would scan every house as he passed it, with the vague hope that a face might appear at the window, or a hand be waved for assistance. But, during all that time, he had found nothing which seemed to offer the slightest clue, nor were the inquiries set on foot by Signor Polani more successful.
The fortnight passed rapidly, and Francis enjoyed his stay at the merchant's greatly, but he was not sorry when, at the end of ten days, Polani told him that the lading of the vessel would begin the next day, and that he had best go on board early and see the cargo shipped, so that he might check off the bales and casks as they were sent on board, and see where each description of goods was stowed away.
"Ruggiero Mocenigo, traitor and villain, your time has come!" Ruggiero started at hearing his name thus proclaimed, for on board his own ship he was simply known as the captain; but in the dim light he recognized Polani, and at once crossed swords with him. "Be not so sure, Polani. Perhaps it is your time that has come." The two engaged with fury. Polani was still strong and vigorous.
At the death of Messer Polani, Francis returned with his wife and family to England, and established himself in London, where he at once took rank as one of the leading merchants. His fortune, however, was so large, that he had no occasion to continue in commerce, and he did so only to afford him a certain amount of occupation.
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