Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-06-03
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great faith in this plan, he followed il, and
gave notice to the authorities. He was
assured by a very stately official that ne
need have no fear, and that his property
would soon be found and restored to him.
Forced to be content with this vague con-
ISOLATION, he went home to his supper and
bed,
For three or four days afterward he con-
tinued visiting the principal monuments
and churches, but witeout receiving any
further information about his lace hand
kerchief. have said that Sir John was
young and brave; as consequence he
was impetnous and fiery; whilst being
born and bred in a free-thiDking. free
speaking country. he was apt to express
his thoughts As they came to his mind
without reflection and without fear 1t is
not surprising therefore, that one night.
under the arcades of the Procuratie, while
relating his loss to his friends. he should
have said what he thought Of the Wanted
secret police Of Venice. They were, he
said, a lot Of stupid fools, very pompous
and very stately. trying to hide their ig-
norance and incapacity under very high
sounding phrases; but the meanest Lon
don detective was worth the whole lot Of
them. As to the Secret Council he did
not believe it existed at all; or, if it did,
it was no better than the rest.
All, Sir John. If you needs must speak
50 irreverently Of the Serenissma. why
did you not use your own language'
Why did you express your rash thoughts
in Italian, Did you not know that walls
have ears, and that every stone Of Venice
Is a spy?
His friends, astonisbed by his sudden
outburst' attributed it at first 10 those last
glasses of vina santo they had been drink
ing together; but knowing full well the
jealous care of Serenissima had FORTS repu-
t,tion, they instiDctively shrunk from him.
as from dangerous man; they disap-
peared round dark corners. down side
alleys; and very soon Sir John found him
self alone.
Alone. At least so he thought but n
silent figure had been following him tor
some time, and was now eagerly and
stealthily DIGGING him. So carefully it
walked: 20 noiselessly it stepped. that for
long time Sir John did not notice this
unwelcome shadow, and even when he did.
he attached no importance to it. But ut
last he began to feel some doubt about this
follower Nothing could be guessed from
his appearance. Completely wrapped up
in a dark cloakpand with wide hat shad-
ing and concealing the upper part OF his
face. The man who would not have been
recognized by his own brother. II was
only the peculiar way in which he followed,
and the ability with which he availcd him
self of every nook and corner, that implied
a danger.
Fearless still, but somewhat annoyed,
Sir John pursued his way through the
maze of alleys that led from the Piazza to
his temporary home. Determined to try
to throw of his masked companion. he
qunkencd his step; but ut the next turn
ing glance back showed that it was no
use. Having by this time reached the
Pontc San Moisc-on6 of the innumerable
bridges that cross the minor canals Of
Venice-he stopped on its steps to see
what his shadow would do. Astonished
at first by this new ruse, the man hesitat-
cd second. but second only. and then
disappeared in the shadow of the church.
Our hero vainly strained his eyes in trying
to find out whether he had really gone, or
whether he was only hiding behind the
columns and watching. He certainly be-
gan to feel an intense interest in this new
chase, in which he seemed to be the game
hunted down. Then. convinced that he
had seen the last oi his silent friend, he
decided on continuing his way home !;
and was just going.to move. when n cloak
was thrown over his head and chest. COM
pletcly gagging him, whilst several strong
arms entwined themselves round his body
and effcctually pinioncd him. Before he
could recover his senses. voice whis
pered in Italian in his ear "You are a
prisoner of the Serenissima; resistance is
ofno use''