“It is my custom to have them washed every morning.”
“Question others in the house,” urged Professor Gunn.
But other people in the house were very loath to answer questions, and no satisfaction could be obtained from them.
“They are one and all terrified by the Ten,” asserted Dick. “They dare not confess that they heard the sounds of the fight last night. It is likely they have been warned to be silent.”
“It’s a fine state of affairs!” exclaimed Zenas, exasperated.
The official made a gesture of helplessness.
“You see there is nothing that can be done, signors,” he said.
“And are you going to let this thing go right on in Venice? It will ruin your city. You may have kept it quiet thus far, but it shall be published to the world now. Travelers will cease coming here. Then what will you do? You live off tourists. But for them the city would go to the dogs in a short time. It’s up to you to take hold of this matter in earnest and bring this band of robbers and assassins to justice.”
“We care not for your advice,” was the haughty answer.
That ended it. Believing nothing could be done, Dick and the professor finally returned to their waiting gondola, and gave the gondolier directions to take them back to their lodgings. The official entered his boat and was rowed away.