Andrea gained on him: but in a moment he twisted up a narrow alley. Andrea shot by, unable to check himself; and the pursuers soon found themselves in a labyrinth in which it was vain to pursue a quick-footed fugitive who knew every inch of it, and could now only be followed by the ear.
They returned to their companions, and found them standing on the spot where the man had stood, and utterly confounded. For Pietro had assured them that the fugitive had neither the features nor the stature of Gerard.
"Are ye verily sure?" said they. "He had been in the river. Why, in the saints' names, fled he at our approach?"
Then said Vanucci, "Friends, methinks this has nought to do with him we seek. What shall we do, Andrea?"
Here the lacquey put in his word. "Let us track him to the water's side, to make sure. See, he hath come dripping all the way."
This advice was approved, and with very little difficulty they tracked the man's course.
But soon they encountered a new enigma.
They had gone scarcely fifty yards ere the drops turned away from the river, and took them to the gate of a large gloomy building. It was a monastery.
They stood irresolute before it, and gazed at the dark pile. It seemed to them to hide some horrible mystery.
But presently Andrea gave a shout. "Here be the drops again," cried he. "And this road leadeth to the river."