CHAPTER XVIII
GUESTS OF THE BRIGAND
"Good morning, Count," said Uncle John, cheerfully.
The other stared at him astonished.
"Good heavens! Have they got you, too?" he exclaimed.
"Why, I'm visiting his excellency, Il Duca, if that's what you mean,"replied Mr. Merrick. "But whether he's got me, or I've got him, Ihaven't yet decided."
The young man's jaw was tied in a bandage and one of his eyes was blackand discolored. He looked agitated and miserable.
"Sir, you are in grave danger; we are both in grave danger," heannounced, "unless we choose to submit to being robbed by this rascallybrigand."
"Then," observed Uncle John, "let's submit."
"Never! Not in a thousand years!" cried Ferralti, wildly. And then thissingular young man sank into a chair and burst into tears.
Uncle John was puzzled. The slender youth--for he was but a youth inspite of his thin moustaches--exhibited a queer combination of courageand weakness; but somehow Uncle John liked him better at that momentthan he ever had before. Perhaps because he now realized he had unjustlysuspected him.
"You seem to have been hurt, Count," he remarked.
"Why, I was foolish enough to struggle, and that brute Tommaso poundedme," was the reply. "You were wise to offer no resistance, sir."
"As for that, I hadn't a choice," said Uncle John, smiling. "When didthey get you, Ferralti?"
"Last evening. I walked in the garden of the hotel and they threw a sackover my head. I resisted and tried to cry out. They beat me until I wasinsensible and then brought me here, together with my travelling cases,which they removed from my room to convey the impression that I had goneaway voluntarily. When I awakened from my swoon I was in this room,with the doctor bending over me."
"The doctor?"
"Oh, they have a doctor in this accursed den, as well as a priest and alawyer. The Duke entreated my pardon. He will punish his men for abusingme. But he holds me a safe prisoner, just the same."
"Why?"
"He wants a ransom. He will force me to purchase an ancient brasscandlestick for fifty thousand lira."
Uncle John looked at his companion thoughtfully.
"Tell me, Count Ferralti," he said, "who you really are. I had believedyou were Il Duca's accomplice, until now. But if he has trapped you, anddemands a ransom, it is because you are a person of some consequence,and able to pay. May I not know as much about your position in life asdoes this brigand duke?"
The young man hesitated. Then he spread out his hands with an appealinggesture and said:
"Not yet, Mr. Merrick! Do not press me now, I implore you. Perhaps Ihave done wrong to try to deceive you, but in good time I will explaineverything, and then you will understand me better."
"You are no count."
"That is true, Mr. Merrick."
"You are not even an Italian."
"That is but partly true, sir."
"You have seen fit to deceive us by--"
Tommaso threw wide the door.
"_Il dejune e servito_," he said gruffly.
"What does that mean?" asked Uncle John.
"Luncheon is ready. Shall we go down?"
"Yes; I'm hungry."
They followed the man to the lower floor, where he ushered them into alow, cool room where a long table was set. The walls were whitewashedand bore some religious prints, gaudily colored. A white cloth coveredthe table, which was well furnished with modern crockery and glass, andantique silverware.
At the head of the table were two throne-like chairs, one slightlylarger and more elevated than the other. In the more important seat wasa withered old woman with a face like that of a mummy, except that itwas supplied with two small but piercing jet eyes that seemed very muchalive as they turned shrewdly upon the strangers. She was the only oneof the company they found seated. The Duke stood behind the smallerchair beside her, and motioned the Americans to occupy two places at theside of the table next him. Opposite them, in the places adjoining theelevated dais, were two remarkable individuals whom Uncle John saw forthe first time. One was a Cappuccin monk, with shaven crown and coarsecassock fastened at the waist by a cord. He was blind in one eye and thelid of the other drooped so as to expose only a thin slit. Fat, awkwardand unkempt, he stood holding to the back of his chair and swayingslightly from side to side. Next to him was a dandified appearing manwho was very slight and thin of form but affected the dress and mannersof extreme youth. Ferralti whispered to Uncle John that this was thedoctor.
The table dropped a step in heighth from these places, and the balanceof its length was occupied by several stalwart Sicilians, clothed inordinary peasant costume, and a few silent, heavy-featured women. Tatowas not present.
"Signori," said the Duke to the Americans, "allow me to present you tomy mother, the head of our illustrious family; one who is known, admiredand feared throughout Sicily as her Excellenza la Duchessa d'Alcanta."
With the words the Duke bowed low to the old woman. Uncle John andFerralti also bowed low. The lines of servitors humbly bent themselvesdouble. But the Duchessa made no acknowledgment. Her bead like eyessearched the faces of the "guests" with disconcerting boldness, and thendropped to her plate.
At this signal the fat priest mumbled a blessing upon the food, the Dukewaved his hand, and all the company became seated.
Uncle John felt as if he were taking part in a comic opera, and enjoyedthe scene immensely. But now his attention was distracted by thestewards bringing in steaming platters of macaroni and stewed mutton,from which they first served the Duchessa, and then the Duke, andafterward the guests. The servants waited hungry-eyed until theseformalities were completed, and then swept the platters clean and ateravenously.
Uncle John plied his knife and fork busily and found the foodexcellently prepared. Ferralti seemed to have little appetite. Some ofhis teeth had been knocked out and his broken wrist, which had butpartially healed, had been wrenched in the scrimmage of the night beforeso that it caused him considerable pain.
The Duke attempted little conversation, doubtless through deference tothe aged Duchessa, who remained absolutely silent and unresponsive toher surroundings. He praised his wine, however, which he said was fromtheir own vineyards, and pressed the Americans to drink freely.
When she had finished her meal the Duchessa raised a hand, and at thesignal the whole company arose and stood at their places while two ofthe women assisted her to retire. She leaned upon their shoulders, beingtaller than her son, but displayed surprising vigor for one so advancedin years.
When she had gone the others finished at their leisure, and theconversation became general, the servants babbling in their volubleItalian without any restraint whatever.
Then the Duke led his prisoners to the veranda and offered them cigars.These were brought by Tato, who then sat in the duke's lap and curled upaffectionately in his embrace, while the brigand's expression softenedand he stroked the boy's head with a tender motion.
Uncle John watched the little scene approvingly. It was the first timehe had seen Tato since the child had lured him through the tunnel.
"Your son, Duke?" he asked.
"Yes, signore; my only child. The heir to my modest estate."
"And a very good brigand, already, for his years," added Mr. Merrick."Ah, Tato, Tato," shaking his head at the child, "how could you be socruel as to fool an innocent old chap like me?"
Tato laughed.
"I did not deceive you, signore. You but misunderstood me. I saidSignor Ferralti was hurt, and so he was."
"But you said he needed my assistance."
"Does he not, signore?"
"How do you speak such good English?"
"Father Antoine taught me."
"The monk?"
"Yes, signore."
"My child is a linguist," remarked the Duke, complacently. "Sh--he hasbeen taught English, German and French, even from the days of infancy.It is very good for me, for now Tato can entertain my
guests."
"Have you no Italian guests, then?" asked Uncle John.
"No, since Italy owns Sicily, and I am a loyal subject. Neither have Imany Germans or Frenchmen, although a few wander my way, now and then.But the Americans I love, and often they visit me. There were three lastyear, and now here are two more to honor me with their presence."
"The Americans make easier victims, I suppose."
"Oh, the Americans are very rich, and they purchase my wares liberally.By the way, Signor Ferralti," turning to the young man, "have youdecided yet the little matter of your own purchase?"
"I will not buy your candlestick, if that is what you refer to," was theresponse.
"No?"
"By no means. Fifty thousand lira, for a miserable bit of brass!"
"But I forgot to tell you, signore; the candlestick is no longer forsale," observed the Duke, with an evil smile. "Instead, I offer you amagnificent bracelet which is a hundred years old."
"Thank you. What's the price?"
"A hundred thousand lira, signore."
Ferralti started. Then in turn he smiled at his captor.
"That is absurd," said he. "I have no wealth at all, sir, but live on asmall allowance that barely supplies my needs. I cannot pay."
"I will take that risk, signore," said the brigand, coolly. "You havebut to draw me an order on Mr. Edward Leighton, of New York, for onehundred thousand lira--or say twenty thousand dollars--and the braceletis yours."
"Edward Leighton! My father's attorney! How did you know of him, sir?"
"I have an agent in New York," answered the Duke, "and lately I havebeen in your city myself."
"Then, if you know so much, you scoundrelly thief, you know that myfather will not honor a draft for such a sum as you demand. I doubt ifmy father would pay a single dollar to save me from assassination."
"We will not discuss that, signore, for I regret to say that your fatheris no longer able to honor drafts. However, your attorney can do so, andwill, without question."
Ferralti stared at him blankly.
"What do you mean by that?" he demanded.
The Duke shook the ashes from his cigar and examined the glowing endwith interest.
"Your father," was the deliberate reply, "was killed in a railwayaccident, four days ago. I have just been notified of the fact by acable from America."
Ferralti sat trembling and regarding the man with silent horror.
"Is this true, sir?" asked Uncle John, quickly; "or is it only a part ofyour cursed game?"
"It is quite true, signore, I regret being obliged to break the ill newsso abruptly; but this gentleman thought himself too poor to purchase mylittle bracelet, and it was necessary to inform him that he is suddenlymade wealthy--not yet so great a Croesus as yourself, Signor Merreek,but still a very rich man."
Ferralti ceased trembling, but the horror still clung to his eyes.
"A railway wreck!" he muttered, hoarsely. "Where was it, sir? Tell me, Ibeseech you! And are you sure my father is dead?"
"Very sure, signore. My informant is absolutely reliable. But thedetails of the wreck I do not know. I am only informed of the fact ofyour father's death, and that his will leaves you his entire fortune."
Ferralti arose and staggered away to his room, and Uncle John watchedhim go pityingly, but knew no way to comfort him. When he had gone heasked gently:
"His father was an American, Duke?"
"Yes, signore."
"And wealthy, you say?"
"Exceedingly wealthy, signore."
"What was his name?"
"Ah; about that ring, my dear guest. Do you think a hundred and fiftythousand lira too much for it?"
"You said a hundred thousand."
"That was this morning, signore. The ring has increased in value since.To-morrow, without doubt, it will be worth two hundred thousand."
Tato laughed at the rueful expression on the victim's face, and, amoment after, Uncle John joined in his laughter.
"Very good, duke," he said. "I don't wish to rob you. Let us wait untilto-morrow."
The brigand seemed puzzled.
"May I ask why, Signor Merreek--since you are warned?" he enquired.
"Why, it's this way, Duke. I'm just a simple, common-place American,and have lived a rather stupid existence for some time. We have nobrigands at home, nor any hidden valleys or protected criminals likeyourself. The romance of my surroundings interests me; your methods areunique and worth studying; if I am so rich as you think me a few extrahundred thousand lira will be a cheap price to pay for this experience.Is it not so?"
The Duke frowned.
"Do you play with me?" he asked, menacingly.
"By no means. I'm just the spectator. I expect you to make theentertainment. I'm sure it will be a good show, although the price israther high."
Il Duca glared, but made no reply at the moment. Instead, he satstroking Tato's hair and glowering evilly at the American.
The child whispered something in Italian, and the man nodded.
"Very well, signore," he said, more quietly. "To-morrow, then, if it sopleases you."
Then, taking Tato's hand, he slowly arose and left the veranda.
For a moment the American looked after them with a puzzled expression.Then he said to himself, with a smile: "Ah, I have solved one mystery,at any rate. Tato is a girl!"