knew not their persons, neither were they acquainted with mine. An
extravagant undertaking, perhaps, you will tell me; but I was
resolved to convince you that everything which a man DETERMINES to
do, may be done. I had some information respecting the rascals,
though it was but slight, and on these grounds I proceeded. I
happened by mere accident to stumble upon a gondolier, whose
appearance excited my curiosity. I fell into discourse with him. I
was soon convinced that he was not ignorant of the lurking-place of
the bravoes, and by means of some gold and many fair speeches, I at
length brought him to confess that though not regularly belonging to
the band, he had occasionally been employed by them. I immediately
made a bargain with him; he conducted me in his gondola through the
greatest part of Venice, sometimes right, sometimes left, till I
lost every idea as to the quarter of the town in which I found
myself. At length he insisted on binding my eyes with his
handkerchief, and I was compelled to submit. Half an hour elapsed
before the gondola stopped. He told me to descend, conducted me
through a couple of streets, and at length knocked at a door, where
he left me still blindfolded. The door was opened; my business was
inquired with great caution, and after some demur I was at length
admitted. The handkerchief was now withdrawn from my eyes, and I
found myself in a small chamber, surrounded by four men of not the
most creditable appearance, and a young woman, who (it seems) had
opened the door for me.

Falieri.--You are a daring fellow, Contarino.

Contarino.--Here was no time to be lost. I instantly threw my purse
on the table, promised them mountains of gold, and fixed on
particular days, hours, and signals which were necessary to