Sirisha had already risen, as far as its low roof would allow her to. She was crouching inside it with a terrified expression on her face. This was no time to offer any explanation. Roger seized her by the arm and dragged her into the well of the gondola. She began to scream, but he did not attempt to stop her. Picking her up bodily, he lurched back with her into the stern of the barge. The sailors let go the now empty gondola, thrust it off with their oars, and began to pull vigorously towards the entrance of the Canal Trovaso, which was on the same side as the Malderini Palace but a little farther down.
At that hour the Grand Canal was teeming with gondolas and provision boats. From fifty of them, at least, the occurrence must have been witnessed, or had their attention called to it by Sirisha's screams; but the barge was manned by French sailors and had French troops on board. The air was filled with curses and shouts of protest and abuse, but none of the Venetians dared to attempt to block its progress. Now, rowing all out, and in excellent rhythm, the crew of the barge sent it speeding round into the Canal Trovaso and along it to the bridge that spanned its far end, linking the Quai al Ponte Lungo with the Quai al Gesuati. There Roger had it pulled in at the steps and landed the six soldiers with orders to return direct to their barracks and remain there for twenty-four hours. He had brought them only in case he had to raid the Palace, and now had no wish to let more people than was absolutely necessary into the secret of where he was taking the Princess.
Telling them that he would secure them all a month's exemption from fatigues, he waved them away. The barge pushed off, pulled out some distance from the wharf side, then headed west, towards the mainland. He had purposely left Venice from its south side to lessen the risk of chance observers getting any idea of its destination, although this meant a long row right round the city before it could head towards Portillo.
By this time Sirisha's screams for help had subsided into a tearful sobbing. Roger's cloak and mask had prevented her from even guessing who he might be and, as yet, he had had no time to talk to her. But now he took her hand, patted it, and whispered in Persian:
'You have nothing to fear. This is part of a plot to free you from your evil husband. This is no place to tell you of it; but I am an old friend and I swear that you can trust me.' As he spoke he lifted the side of his mask a little, so that she could glimpse his features.
When she did so, she gave a little gasp. 'I… I thought you dead! How…? Oh, I am glad. But I will be patient.'
It took two hours' steady rowing to reach Portillo. On their arrival there, Roger told Lieutenant Bouvard that his men were not to come near the casino, but could eat the rations with which they had come provided, and take it easy among the cypresses, until he should be ready, late in the afternoon, for them to take him back to Venice. Then, giving the Princess his arm, he escorted her up the steps to the casino.
The steward Crozier received them. He reported that in accordance with his instructions he had brought out an ample supply of food prepared by the Embassy chef that morning, then sent the barge back and remained alone there to serve it when required. Roger told him that they would like a light meal in about twenty minutes, dismissed him, led Sirisha to a couch, and sat down beside her.
Removing his mask, he said: 'Since you thought me dead, I had best explain how my lucky star averted your husband's design to have me shot. As we first met in England and I speak English perfectly, you naturally supposed me to be an Englishman; but I am not. At least, I am only half English by blood and, although I have a number of relatives and friends there, I have lived most of my life in France and regard myself as a Frenchman. Fortunately, among my French friends I can count General and Madame Boneparte. It was the latter's recognition of me on her most opportune arrival in Venice just as I was being marched off to be shot, that saved me and procured my release. I have since been made one of General Boneparte's aides-de-camp, and it is at his wish that I have brought you to this casino.'
Her eyes were round with astonishment. 'But… but I have never even set eyes on the General. And you said this was a plot to rid me of my husband.'
'It is.' Roger smiled. 'The two matters have a bearing on one another. Are you aware that Malderini is the head of a conspiracy to overthrow the French sponsored regime in Venice?'
'No. He tells me nothing. Of such things I know only what I read in the news-sheets.'
'Well, that is the case; and for some time we have been anxious to nip this conspiracy in the bud before the conspirators can give us serious trouble. We have, therefore, laid a trap for them. Tonight, General Boneparte is coming here; they mean to attempt to kidnap him, but it is they who will be caught instead, and disposed of.'
'You mean that Malderini will be caught and… and killed?'
'Yes. I take it that you have not changed your mind about wishing for his death?'
'No, no! He is horrible, malefic, evil! I would have killed him myself a hundred times, had he not this terrible power over me that makes me helpless in his presence.'
'Then you may rest easy. Within six hours he will be dead. I intend to settle accounts with him myself.'
'Oh, if only I could believe it!' she burst out. 'To be free! To be free at last after all these years. But it won't happen. He'll find some way to prevent it. He'll know by now that you have carried me off. He'll follow me here.'
'He cannot. He can have no possible means of finding out where I have taken you.'
'He has! He will! He'll use his crystal to overlook me.'
'I do not believe it. At half-past seven this evening, he will be told where you are, but not before. He should arrive here with his fellow-conspirators about nine o'clock. By that time, this casino will be surrounded by guards and you will be supping in it with General Boneparte; so you will be absolutely safe, and I…'
'I don't understand,' she burst out again. 'Why should I sup with this great General? He means nothing to me or I to him.'
'I've had no chance yet to explain,' Roger said quickly. 'This is the way of it. General Boneparte is the bait in the trap to draw Malderini and his fellow-conspirators to it. But I also had to dangle some bait to induce the General to come to Venice. You are that bait.'
'I! But why? I tell you he has never even seen me.'
'I am aware of that. But everything to do with the East holds an extraordinary fascination for him. He has never met an Indian lady of noble birth. I told him about you and suggested that I should arrange for you to sup together. The idea delighted him, and…'
She held up a slim coffee-coloured hand. 'To sup. What do you mean by that? Although Malderini has kept me in purdah I am no longer a child. Speak plainly, please.'
Roger made a little bow. 'I am glad that you should wish me to. General Boneparte asked me your circumstances. I told him only that you were so jealously guarded that I thought it unlikely that you had had any lovers, but that you hated your husband and would not repulse him on that account. I promised that I would arrange for you to sup with him; but no more. Should you refuse to allow him to kiss more than the tips of your fingers, he will have no grounds for complaint against either of us.'