约翰叔叔和三个侄女又踏上了前往阿马尔菲的路。一路上惊险重重，“费雷尔伯爵”在紧要关头挺身而出，约翰叔叔对这个身份可疑的人的态度是否会发生改变？
The Hotel Victoria faces the bay of Naples.Back of it are the famous gardens，and as you emerge from these you find yourself upon the narrow main street of Sorrento，not far from the Square of Tasso.
As our little party entered this street they were immediately espied by the vetturini，or cabmen，who rushed toward them with loud cries while they waved their whips frantically to attract attention.One tall fellow was dressed in a most imposing uniform of blue and gold，with a high hat bearing a cockadea a la Inglese and shiny top boots.His long legs enabled him to outstripb the others，and in an almost breathless voice he begged Uncle John to choose his carriage："the besta carrozzaina town！""We don't want to ride，"was the answer.
The cabman implored.Certainly they must make the Amalfi drive，or to Massa Lubrense or Saint'Agata or at least Il Deserto ！The others stood by to listen silently to the discussion，yielding ？rst place to the victor in the race.
Uncle John was obduratec.
"All we want to—day is to see the town，"he declared，"We're not going to ride，but walk.""Ah，but the Amal？road，signore！Surely you will see that.""To—morrow，perhaps；not now.""To—morrow，signore！It is good.At what hour，to—morrow，illustrissimo？""Oh，don't bother me.""We may as well drive to Amalfi to—morrow，"suggested Beth."It is the proper thing to do，Uncle.""All right；we'll go，then.""You take my carrozza，signore？"begged the cabman."It is besta ina town.""Let us see it."Instantly the crowd scampered back to the square，followed more leisurely by Uncle John and the girls.There the uniformed vetturio stood beside the one modern carriage in the group.It was new；it was glossy；it had beautiful，carefully brushed cushions；it was drawn by a pair of splendid looking horses.
"Is not bellissima，signore？"asked the man，proudly.
"All right，"announced Uncle John，nodding approval."Be ready to start at nine o'clock to—morrow morning."The man promised，whereat his confreresa lost all interestin the matter and the strangers were allowed to proceed without further interruption.
They found out all about the Amal？drive that evening，and were glad indeed they had decided to go.Even Louise was pleased at the arrangement and as eager as the others to make the trip.It is one of the most famous drives in the world，alonga road built upon the rocky cliff that overhangs the sea and continually winds in and out as it follows the outlines of the cragsa.
They had an early breakfast and were ready at nine o'clock ；but when they came to the gate of the garden they found only a dilapidatedb carriage standing before it.
"Do you know where my rig is？"Uncle John asked thedriver，at the same time peering up and down the road."It is me，signore.I am engage by you.Is it not so？"Mr.Merrick looked at the driver carefully.It was long—legs，sure enough，but shorn of his beautiful regalia.
"Where's your uniform？"he asked.
"Ah，I have leave it home.The road is dusty，very；I must not ruin a nice dress when I work，"answered the man，smiling unabashedc.
"But the carriage.What has become of the fine carriage and the good horses，sir？""Ah，it is dreadful；it is horrible，signore.I find me the carrozza is not easy；it is not perfect；it do not remain good for a long ride.So I leave him home，for I am kind.I do not wish the signorini bella to tire and weep.But see the ？ne vetture you now have ！Is he not easy like feathers，an'strong，an'molto buena？""It may be a bird，but it don't look it，"said Uncle John，doubtfully."I rented the best looking rig in town，and you bring me the worst.""Only try，signore！Others may look；it is only you whomust ride.You will be much please when we return.""Well，I suppose we may as well take it，"said the little man，in a resigned tone."Hop in，my dears."They entered the crazy looking vehicle and found the seats ample and comfortable despite the appearance of dilapidation everywhere prevalent.The driver mounted the box，crackedhis whip，and the lean nags ambled away at a fair pace.
They passed near to the square，where the ？rst thing that attracted Uncle John's attention was the beautiful turnout he had hired yesterday.It was standing just as it had before，and beside it was another man dressed in the splendid uniform his driver had claimed that he had left at home.
"Here—stop！Stop，I say！"he yelled at the man，angrily.
But the fellow seemed suddenly deaf，and paid no heed.He cracked his whip and rattled away through the streets without a glance behind him.The girls laughed and Uncle John stopped waving his arms and settled into his seat with a groan.
