The servant returned to say that the gondola was ready, and the comrades took their leave of the hospitable merchant. On their way through the garden, which stretched behind the fondaco, they met Ralph, very lonely and downcast. His face brightened at sight of them. "I thought you would never be home, Messer Hugh," he cried. "St. Cuthbert be my witness, I have been like to go mad for want of a human being to talk with! These folk understand less than do the horses. An you please, Messer Hugh, do not leave me again." Hugh looked at Matteo. "I see no harm in taking him," replied the jongleur to the unspoken question. "But you must rid yourself of that armour, Ralph, and leave behind your bow. We go upon secret business, which wants not the intrusion of weight or the questionable length of your goose-feathered shafts. So be about your preparations, lad, an you are coming with us." "That will I, gentles!" exclaimed Ralph with glee. "A minute, by your leave, and I shall be garbed to suit." He set off at a run towards the stables, and Hugh and Matteo proceeded to the gate in the wall, where the gondola awaited them by the landing-steps. The gondoliers lounged beside it. One was enormous, a giant in stature, thick-thewed and massive. The other was almost a dwarf, nearly as broad as he was tall, but with a chest development equal to his companion's. "Which is Beppo?" asked Matteo. The dwarf touched his gaudy cap. "I am Beppo, lord," he replied, "and I steer. Giacomo, here, pulls the fore-oar." Giacomo ducked in what he intended for a bow, but it seemed more like the toppling of a stricken pine-tree. He said nothing. "Has your master told you what we require?" questioned Matteo. "Only that we are to obey your Magnificences' orders." "Do you like to fight?" Beppo grinned from ear to ear. "We always enjoy a good fight, don't we, Giacomo?" he answered. Giacomo's face was convulsed by what must have been meant for a grin of approbation, and one hand caressed the hilt of the knife stuck in his sash. "Well, you are like to get all the fighting you care for," said Matteo. "We have a dangerous venture. Know you the fondaco Pisano?" "Yes, lord. It is east beyond the Rio di Santa Polo." "Good. We watch the fondaco Pisano for one who travels in a green gondola. When he appears we follow him wherever he may go. If we can, we will seize him. Is it understood?" "Perfectly, lord. We are used to all kinds of work, are we not, Giacomo?" Giacomo bowed and wrinkled up his face, both at the same time, with frightful effect. "I see you are dependable varlets," remarked Matteo. "You shall not lose by good service." "Trust us, Magnificence," returned Beppo composedly. "Do we start now?" "Anon. We must wait--Ah, here he comes." Ralph ran through the gate, and halted on the landing, somewhat ill at ease in a flat cap and dark cloak such as were worn by the servants of the fondaco. "Will this do, Messer Hugh?" he panted.