In Venice, the upper ranks of the Hungarian Independence Organization had gathered together to make their final preparations for the uprising. No, more precisely, they were making their final preparations to run away.
If you were putting on a show, you had to see it through to the end. In life, no one could ever escape those two words: fame and profit.
As for "profit," Stephen and the others had already made more than enough to live out the rest of their lives in comfort. What mattered now was preserving their reputations.
Others could be traitors, but the upper ranks of their independence organization absolutely could not be—or rather, they could not let anyone know they had become traitors.
Otherwise, how could the Americans who had provided money and effort possibly let them off? Their entire livelihoods were now in the United States. A missionary might flee, but his church could not.
Stephen said, "The ships have already been booked. Once the uprising fails, we will immediately head to Albania, then enter Greece by land. From there, we will pass through the Ottoman Empire, travel from the Persian Gulf to Asia, transfer through Japan, and sail to San Francisco."
Somla asked doubtfully, "Mr. Stephen, why take such a huge detour? The Austrians have already promised they will only conduct a token pursuit. We could sail directly to the United States."
Stephen explained, "That's right. The Austrians promised to let us go, but what if something unexpected happens?
"The arrangement to let us leave is highly confidential. The Mediterranean Sea is full of areas where the Austrian Navy operates. What if our luck runs out and we get caught?
"To reduce the risk, we have no choice but to take a detour. We must leave Venice aboard fishing boats that no