"These," said Robard, taking a step forward, and throwing a warning look at the three prisoners, "are a trio who have too much knowledge of some of our plans. I thought it best to take them along, sir."
Hal took a quick step forward, but even as he opened his mouth to speak, he felt something cold pressed against the back of his neck by a hand from behind. He closed his lips and fell back.
The ambassador was silent a moment before replying. Then he said:
"You are sure you are not taking too much upon yourself? You are certain you are right in your surmise?"
"It is not a surmise, sir; it is a fact," returned Robard.
For another moment the ambassador hesitated. Then he said with a shrug of his shoulders:
"Very well then. Come; let us go."
He led the way out the door, the others following. Hal, Chester and Uncle John were kept closely in the center of the little knot of men as all made their way down the steps to where three large automobiles stood waiting at the curb. The ambassador and Robard climbed into the first, and Hal found himself separated from his friends as he was pushed into the second machine; Chester and Uncle John were in the third.
Twenty minutes later the three prisoners found themselves in a first class section on the special express for Venice, vigilantly guarded by two Austrians, who had been placed in charge of them after they had been securely tied up at Robard's command. Robard himself had entered another compartment with the ambassador.
"You'll be safer this way," the Austrian had said with a smile, after testing their bonds to make sure they were secure.