A half hour went by, and the green gondola's lead was reduced to a matter of yards. The comrades could see Mocenigo and his bravos standing on the deck with swords drawn. But the lights of Venice gleamed very close, barred at intervals by the dark mouths of the canals, and once in that network of tangled waterways the task of the pursuers would be redoubled. "Up with them," cried Matteo. "A Byzant apiece to you, lads." "Trust us, lord," gasped Beppo. The gap was spanned as he spoke and their bow overlapped the green gondola's stern. "Close in, close in," ordered Hugh. The green gondola made shift to sheer off, but the attempt was hopeless; and in self-defence, Mocenigo's gondoliers were forced to withstand the attack of Beppo and Giacomo. The crack of meeting oars resounded with the clash of swords. Gunwale to gunwale the two craft lay, bobbing at every shock, and it required a clear head and a nimble foot to keep one's balance. But no thought of danger was in Hugh's mind when his blade crossed Mocenigo's. "At last," he exulted. "I have seen more of your back than your face, Messer Assassin." "It may be we will amend that, Messer Hugh," rejoined the Italian, fencing cautiously. "It seems you fear me." "Not so, good youth. But you have a way of being inconvenient--for a lad unspurred." "Ay, 'twas you warned me of the dangers of Outremer," retorted Hugh. "Does it surprise you to find me alive?" Mocenigo laughed grimly. "Be not too sure of life. My arm is long." "And mine!" Mocenigo slipped to the deck to avoid a swinging cut, and Hugh gathered himself to leap the green gondola's rail. One of Mocenigo's bravos was down, and the sole remaining one had all he could do to resist Matteo and Ralph. The gondoliers were waging an independent battle. But in the very moment of victory a hail rang out of the darkness. "In the name of the Republic!" And a lean, twelve-oared galley ranged alongside the comrades' gondola. "In the name of the Republic!" the hail was repeated. "Put down your arms." "The Lords of the Night!" cried Beppo. "The Lords of the Night!" was the echo from the green gondola. Mocenigo sprang to his feet at the cry. "To your sweeps, knaves," he shouted. "Be swift, and you would escape." His gondoliers already were thrusting out their oars, and their craft gained headway rapidly. Mocenigo waved his sword to Hugh as the shadows closed round it. "May the Panagia guard you against the hour I give you the end I have in mind," he called. Hugh turned in baffled rage to Matteo. "What fools are these who aid the foes of Venice?" he exclaimed. "Bid them pursue before it is too late." "They are the police," said Matteo. "The Lords of the Night, who have jurisdiction over Venice from sunset to dawn. I know not what it means, Hugh, but be calm. Here comes one who will answer us."