"He soon will be."

Mocenigo's eyes fixed on Hugh's in a glare of baffled hate.

"The—end—is—not—yet," he gasped. "Shalt—not—have—your——"

He mouthed a word of vile import, the bloody foam on his lips mocking the bestiality of his tongue.

"Ay—you—shall—not—have—-her! Curse——"

He died.

Bartolommeo, standing beyond the galley's single mast, raised his visor.

"Is he sped?" he called.

"Ay. Prepare to follow him."

"Mayhap, but not alone."