These they buried in three large iron boxes beneath the flagstones of the cellar, the safest place that they could find.

Having thrown the excavated earth into the canal under cover of the dark, they replaced these stones and strewed dust over them.
Wondering whether it would ever be their lot to look upon these chests and their contents again, they left the cellar, to find the old woman knocking at the back door of the house, whither she had returned, frightened by the sights and sounds in the city.

They bade her bring them food, which they needed much who had laboured so hard on that sorrowful day, and after they had eaten took counsel together.
"Seeing that all three of us are still in health, as if there is anything in the promises of Murgh we should remain, is it not time, master," asked Grey Dick, "that we left this accursed Venice?
Now that Sir Geoffrey is gone, there is naught to keep us here." "One thing I have to do first," answered Hugh, "and it is to learn whether Sir Edmund Acour, lord of Cattrina, is dead or living, and if living where he hides himself away.

While Sir Geoffrey lay dying we could not leave him to make search, but now it is otherwise." "Ay, master, though I think you'll find the task hard in this hive of pestilence and confusion." "I have heard that the plague is at work in Cattrina's palace," broke in David, "but when I asked whether he were there or no, none could tell me.

That is not a house where you'll be welcomed, Sir Hugh." "Still I will make bold to knock at his doors to-morrow," answered Hugh.
"Now let us seek what we all need--sleep." So on the following morning shortly after sunrise Hugh and Grey Dick, guided by David, took boat and rowed through most fearful scenes and sounds to the Palazzo Cattrina, a splendid but somewhat dilapidated building situated in a part of the city that, like itself, had seen more prosperous times.