But Mr.Watson did not heed this defense.The matter was very serious—how serious he alone realized—and his face was grave indeed as he listened to the descriptions of that terrible Il Duca whom the natives all shrank from and refused to discuss.
When he had learned all the nieces had to tell he hastened into the town and telegraphed the American consul at Messina.Then he found the questura，or police of?ce，and was assured by the officer in attendance that the disappearance of Mr.Merrick was already known to the authorities and every effortwas being made to ?nd him.
"Do you think he has been abducted by brigands？"asked the lawyer.
"Brigands，signore ？"was the astonished reply."Thereare no brigands in this district at all.We drove them out many years ago.""How about Il Duca？""And who is that，signore？""Don't you know？""I assure you we have no official knowledge of such a person.There are dukes in Sicily，to be sure；but 'Il Duca'means nothing.Perhaps you can tell me to whom you refer ？""See here，"said the lawyer，brusquely；"I know your methods，questore mia，but they won't prove effective in this case.If you think an American is helpless in this country you are very much mistaken.But，to save time，I am willing to submit to your of?cial requirements.I will pay you well for the rescue of my friend.""All shall be done that is possible.""But if you do not ?nd him at once，and return him to us unharmed，I will have a regimenta 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 of?ce."The official shrugged his shoulders，a gesture in whichthe 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 courseof our duty every effort is now being made to ?nd 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 abscondeda.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 bemade.It is my boast that I leave no duty unful?lled."Mr.Watson walked back to the telegraph of?ce 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."Thatseems to be the only thing that can be depended upon to secure results.""Give them a million—Uncle John won't mind，"criedPatsy，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.If John Merrick is not ransomeda he will never again be heard of.""But this is not a ransom，sir.You propose to offer areward to the police.""Let me explain.The ways of the Italian police are very intricate.They know of no brigandage here，and cannot ?nd a brigand.But if the reward is great enough to divide，they know where to offer a share of it，in lieu of a ransom，and will force the brigands to accept it.In that way the police gets the glory of a rescue and a share of the spoilsb.If we offer no reward，or an insigni?cant one，the brigands will be allowed to act as they please.""That is outrageousc ！"exclaimed Beth.
"Yes.The Italian government deplores it.It is trying hard to break up a system that has existed for centuries，but has not yet succeeded.""Then I'd prefer to deal directly with the brigands.""So would I，if—""If what，sir？""If we were sure your uncle is in their hands.Do you think the party you sent out last night searched thoroughly？""I hope so.""I will send out more men at once.They shall search thehills in every direction.Should they find nothing our worst fears will be con?rmed，and then—""Well，Mr.Watson？""Then we must wait for the brigands to dictate the terms of a ransom，and make the best bargain we can.""That seems sensible，"said Kenneth，and both Patsy and Louise agreed with him，although it would be tedious waiting.
But Beth only bit her lip and frowned.
Mr.Watson's searching party was maintained all day—for two days，and three；but without result.Then they waited for the brigands to act.But a week dragged painfully by and no word of John Merrick's whereabouts reached the ears of the weary watchers.
