Another of the desperadoes did cast a knife at them, but his aim was poor, and soon the gondola shot out from the narrow passage onto the bosom of a broader canal.
They came near colliding with another boat that was moving swiftly and silently along.
“Look out, there!” cried Brad. “Clear the trail for us, or you may get yourself run down a whole lot.”
Behind the curtains of the other gondola there was a stir. The curtains parted and a familiar face peered forth in the moonlight.
“Hi, there—hey!” cried the excited voice of Professor Gunn. “Stop! stop! I have found you!”
“Professor!” exclaimed Dick. “Where have you been?”
“Seeking assistance. Looking for officers. Can’t find them. Had no end of trouble. Bless my stars! I was afraid I’d never see you boys alive again. Goodness knows I’m thankful to behold you!”
“But what made you leave us?”
“I don’t know. I didn’t intend to do it. I was excited. I confess I was excited. Who wouldn’t be under such circumstances? Two men—two mad men were trying to cut each other into shreds right before my eyes. I slipped the line from the ring. Didn’t know what I was doing. The tide carried the boat away. I clutched the oar and tried to row back. Made a mess of it, and lost the oar. In the midst of my excitement, after the tide had carried me out of that canal, a human head appeared beside the boat. Yes, sir—exactly so. A man was in the water. He was hurt, too. Swam with one arm. Other arm didn’t seem to have much strength. He appealed to me for assistance. Of course I rendered assistance.”
“Which certain was the worst thing you could have done,” said Brad. “That’s how Mullura escaped, Dick.”