[Cadkit-users] Because it always seemed to be near them. Eightee

[Donoghue D. <ave...@qs...>]

S. I will pay you well for the rescue of my friend." "All shall be done
that is possible." "But if you do not find him at once, and return him
to us unharmed, I will have a regiment of soldiers in Taormina to search
your mountains and break up the bands of brigands that infest them. When
I prove that brigands are here and that you were not aware of them, you
will be disgraced and deposed from your office." The official shrugged
his shoulders, a gesture in which the Sicilian is as expert as the
Frenchman. "I will welcome the soldiery," said he; "but you will be able
to prove nothing. The offer of a reward may accomplish more--if it is
great enough to be interesting." "How great is that?" "Can I value your
friend? You must name the reward yourself. But even then I can promise
nothing. In the course of our duty every effort is now being made to
find the missing American. But we work in the dark, as you know. Your
friend may be a suicide; he may have lost his mind and wandered into the
wilderness; he may have committed some crime and absconded. How do I
know? You say he is missing, but that is no reason the brigands have
him, even did brigands exist, which I doubt. Rest assured, signore, that
rigid search will be made. It is my boast that I leave no duty
unfulfilled." Mr. Watson walked back to the telegraph office and found
an answer to his message. The American consul was ill and had gone to
Naples for treatment. When he returned, his clerk stated, the matter of
the disappearance of John Merrick would immediately be investigated.
Feeling extremely helpless and more fearful for his friend than before,
the lawyer returned to the hotel for a conference with the nieces. "How
much of a reward shall I offer?" he asked. "That seems to be the only
thing that can be depended upon to secure results." "Give them a
million--Uncle John won't mind," cried Patsy, earnestly. "Don't give
them a penny, sir," said Beth. "If they are holding him for a ransom
Uncle is in no personal danger, and we have no right to assist in
robbing him." "But you don't understand, my dear," asserted the lawyer.
"These brigands never let a victim go free unless they are well paid.
That is why they are so often successful. I