They hastened to the steps and called to a gondolier who was slowly propelling his boat past.
“In this city it is impossible to follow a trail,” said Dick. “These watery streets leave no scent. A bloodhound would be useless here.”
They gave the gondolier his orders. He took them by several short cuts on the way to their destination. They were passing through a narrow canal when Dick’s attention became drawn by some mysterious influence to a dark door set in a wall some distance above the water.
Suddenly that door flew open before his eyes. Cloaked and hooded men appeared within the doorway, their faces concealed from view.
“Goodness!” gasped the professor, in astonishment. “Who are they Richard? What are they doing?”
Dick did not answer, for a strange thrill had shot over him at sight of those men, among whom a silent struggle seemed taking place.
All at once, before their startled eyes a human figure was hurled headlong from that mysterious doorway, whirling over and over in the air!
It was Brad Buckhart!
Dick recognized his friend. He saw Brad strike the water and disappear with a great splash. Then he called a sharp order to the gondolier.
The black door closed above them, and the mysterious men in cloaks and hoods were hidden from view.