The times., 1898-01-30
he Lido, obscuring the stars and forebod-

AS they entered the Grand Canal the
revelry was at its height: hundreds OF gon-
Jolas, decked with flowers and laden with
merry company of niaskers, darted here and
there. Under the influence Of wine and
protected by masks, the cord of etiquette
was broken, decorun thrown to the Winds
reckless filtration and jovial banter reign
ed supreme. Now and aga in, during the
lUll in the general uproar, the sweet voice
Of pathetic singer fioated melodiously
over the water, and then IL was abruptly
drowned by the merry twiDg a ling OF q
mandolin in a passing craft; and this, In
turn, gave place to a bright-eyed coquette,
who, with u rfppling laugh. tossed q cluster
OF roses to the young Englishfnan, blew
him a kiss With her shapely fingers, and.
lifting her velvet mask FOR an instant, gave
him view Of her handsome fac ce and flash
ing eyes. But Lord wilfred was too in
tent on discovering Pal0uib0 To heed all
this. He had not to wait: small gondola
ps ssed and suddenly turned about and then
followed. Asst a second time came along
side the small Igondoia Lord Wilfred recog-
niZed the short, plump figure Of his rival.
Palombo leaned over the side and whis-
pered: ''You are the Englisiirnan. l wish
you to succeed. I would advise you"
who are you?" asked Sandro.
"a lend, sent by Signor Matranza TO
aid YOU
All! then we may trust you. What
have you to adviser"
''First, where is the white gondola2''
There, following close at hand, - replied
Lord Wilfred, pointing to the craft in
which Annita was concealed.
But tnat gondola is black
1t is covered with silk, which we can
strip off in an insta mt"
All, goou!'' cried raionito. ..Bravoi
it is well contrived. Why are you not
with it?''
/ was about to board it when you
came up
viii you follow my adyice?'' asked
PaloInbo.
III you can assure me that you are in
deed my friend
''Wnat assurance do you need?'
Join my gondoIier in this craft, and
lead the way with him."
Palombo nesitat ed moment, and in an
ui,ici .onc Dt;San taiKiuB To his own &C.
dolier.
Now, what have you to tell me?' urged
Lord Wilrred. speak quickly, for We
are approaching the PiaZetta."
Il W Ill JON your maj 10 convince you
Of I:.y sincerity replied Palombo.
Sandro assisted MIN to board the dis
guised craft; then his own sped away in
tne direction of the DOge's barge, which
now could tie distinguished by its blazing
lights midstream, opposite the DOges
palace.
Il would advise said Palomb0, that
you should steer between the Doge's barge
and the Pidzetta Tor. as you can see, II
is at present less crowded, and your es-
ape would be easier
Il see IL is less crowded." rerlied
but decided in his own mind to take the
opposite course.
Besides, the Doge has by some secret
means learned of your coming, nd expects
you from the other direction
An! is 1T so?'' said HiIfred. Then lead
the way in this craft, a nd we will follow III
the other"
Good cried PalomDo. 1T could not
bc better
And at a signal from you viii expose
the white gondola-"
Bravo. Dravo." exclaimed Palonbo de
lighted with the apparent success Of his
treaciery.
Wilfred signalled for Pietro to cHne
alongside; tneh he and Sandro quickly
Doarded Aunita's gUndola. She was con
cealed in the ca bin, So tina PalOmbO did
nut see her.
They were now within a hundred yards
OF tie Duge-s barge; Paloubo urged the
gonClolier u increase his speed, which ne
did, aud the vessel sped onward, the other
close alongside. Falombo gave the signal.
Lord Iirred snatChed TIL. torch from the
Prov of the barca and touched the sik-en-
cased craft in which TaUT.Ibu sat; for an
instant the oily fab brio flashed all over tike
a train OF powder, then as quickly died ont,
revealing tie white hun and CABIN or the
sondola, ana the terror stricken Paionbo
seated near the PROV; while PietrU aud
SandTo with few powerful strokes turned
AnLita's craft abruptly aside.
A shout from the Doges barge told that
PaIutn bpin tie white gOndoia wa ClisrOveIed,
FOR he had sput his utmau tn IL was
coming.
.,,...et the viIlainI'' cried t he Dodge e'scham-
beTiain.
i.I.. eruissaries of the Doge ere soon upon
hiuI and ne was quickly secured. He
struggled, protested. and exclaimed fran
ricaiiy: Il am not the oTfender-l was
iured INTO this gondola by trick-the real
traitor is in that gondolal'' i'alonIo con
tlnueG, pointing to Lord Wilfred's van
isiling craft, which was now seen 10 be
yvuI1e also, for the lover mad Eoldly re-
moved the covering.
Secure the accoinplice!' cried the
Doge. "A hundred golden pieces If you
capture hint" as he noticed the secUpd
white craft.
dozen gondolas sped after the Eng
iishr:lan hut while the Doge's minions
were securing PalomDo Pietrc and sandro
had gained thirty PAGES.
Lord wHfred threw the torch into the
sea- then seated himself again beside An
nita and looked hack.
.'Iouk!" she cried, pointing astern; there
is one gondola with two 20 werfui inen
leading the rest and gaining upon u.s."
who are they, Sandro?" asked Loru
wilfred.
..Fratini. the Mock poge of the day,
and his nlate-two clever gGndoiiers, but
we do not fear them, signor.
But they are slowly overtaStng us.
They have been in the fevels all day,
and are filled with stale Wine: their strength
viii not last" answered Pictru with con
tc!upt.
still, they have less weight to carry"
True, signDr. but we shall outlast them,
interposed Sandro.
Nevertheless, the foremost gondoia con-
tinued to gain slowly upon them The rest
OF the pursuers had one By one given up
the chase.
A gust of wind now suddenly swept over
the lagoons, thunder pealed ana doomed,
and dense black clouds hid the pursuers from
their view except when now and gain vivid
flashes of lighting revealed them fof an III
staDt.
Fot two miles the chase Continued; grad
ualIy the lightning passed away to the
west, but they could hear by their pursuers'
voices that they were gradually dropping
astern-
Make for the Lido" cried Lord Wllrred
to his men-
In and out among the numerous flotilia
the two herculean gondoliers propelled the
craft with marvellous power and precision,
frequently avoiding a collision by the mere
width of blade. After then, straining
every muscle, chased the emissaFies of the
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