"We'll find out," said d.i.c.k. "We must be close to the Bridge of Sighs.

Yes, you can see it against the sky. There it is."

"With a palace and a prison on either hand," murmured Zenas.

The beautiful bridge could be seen, b.u.t.tressed by two great hulks of gloom. It was a ghostly place, and the cool air of the night seemed to take on a deeper chill.

The music barge floated beneath the arch of the bridge and stopped.

Reggio permitted his gondola to slowly move along until it was also beneath the bridge. Above them was the terrible prison. Beneath them was the dark and sluggish waters. d.i.c.k thought of the headless bodies that once had awaited the changing tide that was to bear them away from that bloodstained spot to outer sea.

Suddenly the musicians began to play and chant a solemn song, full of sadness and despair. Enraptured, enthralled, their blood cold in their bodies, the boys and the old professor listened to the most thrilling and impressive music that had ever greeted their ears. In fancy, d.i.c.k seemed to hear the tread of the condemned pa.s.sing over the b.l.o.o.d.y bridge, the moans of the dying within those black walls. The air shuddered and vibrated with the horror of it.

Never as long as life lasted could any of that trio forget that chanted song.

When it ended at last, they seemed turned to stone themselves. It was several moments before one of them stirred or even seemed to breathe.

"Let's get out of here!" Brad finally suggested, chokingly.

"Grand, but terrible!" muttered the professor.

"I would not have missed it for worlds!" declared d.i.c.k.

Reggio swung the gondola round, and they were soon moving toward the open ca.n.a.l.

Just as they pa.s.sed out of the deeper darkness, a black gondola swept close to them-so close that the two boats almost touched.

An unseen person reached forth a ghostly hand from between divided black curtains, and something was tossed through the air, falling with a little clang at the feet of Reggio. It sounded not unlike the ring of money.

Then the phantom hand disappeared and the gondola slipped swiftly into the blackness from which they had just emerged, being lost to view.

"What was it?" muttered Buckhart. "Did some one throw Reggio a coin?"

d.i.c.k grasped the arm of his bosom friend.

"Look!" he breathed. "Look at Reggio!"

The gondolier had not moved after the thing dropped at his feet. He was poised with his body swayed backward a little, and he seemed to be gazing with wide-open eyes at the mysterious object lying within ten inches of his feet. His att.i.tude was expressive of the greatest horror.

"Whatever does it mean?" speculated the Texan. "He certain looks a whole lot alarmed."

d.i.c.k started to speak to the gondolier, but checked himself and continued to watch the man.

Onward glided the boat, out into the full flood of moonlight.

Then the man at the oar could plainly see the thing that had been cast before him. Slowly, slowly, as if dreading to touch it, yet forcing himself to perform the act, Reggio stooped and picked it up.

"At last!" he muttered, with a choking sound-"at last it has come to me!"

"What is it?" questioned d.i.c.k.

"Death!" answered the man.

"Death?" exclaimed Professor Gunn. "Why, what do you--"

"See!" directed the gondolier, holding the object up in the moonlight.

"Here it is! By this I am told that I must die!"

"What is it?"

"A ring of iron."

"A ring of iron? What has that to do with your death?"

"It tells me that I am chosen. I have a few hours in which to settle my affairs and make ready. I knew that death pursued us to-night!"

"He's still making crazy talk, pard!" declared Brad, who could understand Italian, although he made a mess in attempting to speak it.

"The man is not crazy," a.s.serted d.i.c.k positively.

"He sure talks that way."

"There is something behind all this, Brad-something I'd like to understand."

Professor Gunn continued to question Reggio. They seemed quite alone just then, with no other boats near them.

"I warned you not to speak of the Ten," said the gondolier. "It is now too late."

"But the Council of Ten no longer exists."

"Not as once it did; but there is another. Oh, if I talk now it will only hasten the end! I am chosen, anyhow, and there is no escape! Little Teresa, my sister-what will become of her!"

The man seemed utterly crushed and hopeless. All the buoyant life and grace had departed from his body. His shoulders were bowed and his appearance that of one aged twenty years in a few moments.

"Boys," said Professor Gunn, "there is something mighty singular and sinister back of this. That man is badly frightened."

"Or doing stunts," muttered Buckhart.

"No stunts," a.s.serted d.i.c.k. "His terror and despair is genuine.

Evidently the iron ring is a sign of some sort. He believes that the receipt of it dooms him to death."

"Folly."

"Perhaps not."

For a little time now Reggio answered none of their questions. Finally he straightened up and looked around. He lifted his arms and stretched them out to the white buildings with a despairing gesture.

"Farewell-farewell, Venice!" he murmured, with a sob. "This is my last night with you! For the last time I look on your beauty! Before another night my eyes will be closed in the long, long sleep."

Then suddenly he seemed to realize that the others were looking and listening. He threw back his shoulders, drew in a deep breath, and with that breath his manhood seemed to return. He made a careless gesture of his hand.