"It is nothing to you, signors," he said. "Mind not anything you have seen or heard. But it is better that you should leave Venice, for I have spoken to you of the Ten."

"But you have not explained-you have not told us what you mean," said the professor.

"It is better that you should not know. Your knowledge would place you in peril. Talk no more of the Ten. Keep your lips tightly closed, if you value your lives-and leave Venice."

"Well, I like that!" growled Brad, in a manner that plainly told he did not like it. "I opine we won't be chased out of Venice in any such manner."

"Not much!" declared d.i.c.k earnestly. "We'll remain and solve the mystery of the Ten."

In vain they tried to learn anything further from the gondolier. He became silent, and no amount of questioning elicited anything of a satisfactory sort.

"I must return to Teresa," he finally said. "It is the last time I shall see her."

He then insisted on taking them without delay to their lodgings. On the way, he swung the gondola into another dark and narrow ca.n.a.l. A peculiar whistle sounded from his lips, causing Professor Gunn, who was very nervous by this time, to give a jump of alarm.

"My! my!" muttered the old pedagogue. "I'm expecting anything to happen!

I'm looking for a.s.sa.s.sins everywhere. Why did he whistle? What does it mean?"

The answer came in the form of a gleam of light from a window in the wall on their left.

Reggio uttered a soft exclamation of satisfaction.

"Teresa is waiting for me, signors," he said. "I must hasten with you and then return."

"So this is his ranch," said Buckhart. "He camps here, I judge."

But now a change came over the gondolier. The light above had been shut off suddenly. Darkness followed for a moment, after which the light gleamed again. Again it disappeared for a few seconds, and again it gleamed.

"Trouble!" hissed Reggio. "Teresa has made the danger signal!"

"Dear! dear! dear!" gasped Zenas Gunn. "This is terrible! It is so dark.

In the light of day I am brave as a lion-I fear nothing. But this darkness is so treacherous that I-really I'm disturbed."

"Signors," entreated the gondolier, "I entreat you a moment to wait, till I see what danger it is that has alarmed my sister. When I have rea.s.sured her, I will hasten to take you on your way."

"All right, Reggio," said d.i.c.k promptly. "We can wait. In fact, we're in no haste."

"Hum! ha!" coughed Zenas. "I am in haste to get out of this dark spot-indeed I am!"

"But you would not leave a lady in trouble, professor?" remonstrated d.i.c.k. "I know you would not do that, for you are the soul of chivalry.

Where the fair s.e.x is concerned, you are ever ready to face peril or death."

"That's right," agreed the old pedagogue, bracing up. "You understand me perfectly, Richard. You are a very astute lad. Reggio, we will wait."

"And," added d.i.c.k, "if you need our a.s.sistance, you may depend on us."

The gondolier poured out his thanks, swung the craft alongside some dark steps, fastened it to a ring of iron set in the marble, and then stepped out, saying he would make great haste.

He had not ascended more than three of the steps when he paused. At the same moment, from some dark nook, a figure stepped out above him.

"Who is there?" challenged the gondolier.

"A friend, Reggio Tortora," came the answer, in perfect Italian, the voice being soft and musical.

"A friend?" retorted the gondolier, suspiciously. "What are you doing here?"

"Waiting for your return."

"Who are you?"

"You know me well."

"I know you not."

A laugh sounded low and soft in the darkness.

"Your ears must be losing their cunning, Reggio. Why, I should recognize your voice anywhere in all the world that I heard it. Come nearer."

But the gondolier had been warned of death that hovered over him, and he did not move.

"If you are my friend," he said, "why do you lurk like an a.s.sa.s.sin at my door?"

Again that musical laugh echoed between those dark walls.

"You seem timid as a rabbit, Reggio. Is this the brave, careless Tortora I knew so well? It cannot be."

The gondolier was angered by the mockery of the words and laughter, but he did not forget that the iron ring had fallen at his feet a short time before. Might this not be the man chosen by the Ten to strike the fatal blow?

"Reggio," called d.i.c.k, standing up and preparing to step from the gondola to the steps, "if you need aid, you may rely on us."

"You bet your boots!" exclaimed Buckhart, eager to do something. "Just say the word, Reg, and we'll get right into the game. I'm beginning to spoil for a rumpus, and I'm the Unbranded Maverick of the Rio Pecos.

When I get my war paint on and take to the trail, I'm a holy howler on ten wheels."

"Boys, boys!" spluttered the agitated old professor, "do be careful!

Don't leave me here! I must protect you. I must take care of you. If any harm comes to you, I'll never forgive myself."

"Don't worry, professor," said d.i.c.k.

"Just keep your clothes on, professor," urged Brad.

"There is but one," said Reggio, in answer to d.i.c.k. "I need no aid in facing one man."

Again the stranger laughed.

"Even though you are changed," he said, "you yet have a little pride, my Reggio. But why should you fear me! I am here to do you a great service."

"To do me a service?"

"Even so, my Reggio."