Should my old friend Silas Watson be now with you, as I
expect him to be, he will assist you to do my bidding, for
he will be able to realize, better than I can now explain,
how important it is to me.
"Also I beg you to do a like service for Count Ferralti, who
is entrusting his personal commission, to Louise. He also
must conclude an important purchase before he can return to
Taormina.
"More than this I am not permitted to say in this letter.
Confide in no stranger, or official of any sort, and act as
secretly and quietly as possible. I hope soon to be with
you.
"Very affectionately, UNCLE JOHN."
"What does it all mean?" asked Patsy, bewildered, when Beth had finished
reading.
"Why, it is clear enough, I'm sure," said Kenneth. "Uncle John is
imprisoned by brigands, and the money he requires is his ransom. We must
get it as soon as possible, you know, and luckily he is so rich that he
won't miss this little draft at all."
Beth sat silent, angrily staring at the letter.
"I suppose," said Patsy, hesitating, "the robbers will do the dear uncle
some mischief, if he doesn't pay."
"Just knock him on the head, that's all," said the boy. "But there's no
need to worry. We can get the money easily."
Suddenly Beth jumped up.
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