“There is something behind all this, Brad—something I’d like to understand.”
Professor Gunn continued to question Reggio. They seemed quite alone just then, with no other boats near them.
“I warned you not to speak of the Ten,” said the gondolier. “It is now too late.”
“But the Council of Ten no longer exists.”
“Not as once it did; but there is another. Oh, if I talk now it will only hasten the end! I am chosen, anyhow, and there is no escape! Little Teresa, my sister—what will become of her!”
The man seemed utterly crushed and hopeless. All the buoyant life and grace had departed from his body. His shoulders were bowed and his appearance that of one aged twenty years in a few moments.
“Boys,” said Professor Gunn, “there is something mighty singular and sinister back of this. That man is badly frightened.”
“Or doing stunts,” muttered Buckhart.
“No stunts,” asserted Dick. “His terror and despair is genuine. Evidently the iron ring is a sign of some sort. He believes that the receipt of it dooms him to death.”
“Folly.”