公爵带着塔托来拜访约翰一行人。他说了自己放弃匪窝、解散手下、带着塔托找一个没人认识他们的地方重新生活的想法，并恳求他们在自己解决完事情之前暂时收留塔托。小伙伴们都认为无论如何塔托是无辜的，他们欢快地接受了这个小伙伴。
They canvassed the subject of their future travels with considerable earnestness.Uncle John was bent upon getting to Rome and Venice，and from there to Paris，and the nieceswere willing to go anywhere he preferred，as they were sure toenjoy every day of their trip in the old world.But Mr.Watson urged them strongly to visit Syracuse，since they were not likely to return to Sicily again and the most famous of all the ancient historic capitals was only a few hours'journey from Taormina.So it was ？nally decided to pass a week in Syracuse before returning to the continent，and preparations were at once begun for their departure.
Kenneth pleaded for one more day in which to finish his picture of Etna，and this was allowed him.Uncle John nevertheless confessed to being uneasy as long as they remained on the scene of his recent exciting experiences.Mr.Watson advised them all not to stray far froma the hotel，as there was no certainty that Il Duca would not make another attempt to entrap them，or at least to be revenged for their escape from his clutches.
On the afternoon of the next day，however，they werestartled by a call from the Duke in person.He was dressed in his usual faded velvet costume and came to them leading by the hand a beautiful little girl.
The nieces gazed at the child in astonishment.
Tato wore a gray cloth gown，ill—fitting and of coarsematerial；but no costume could destroy the fairy—like perfection of her form or the daintinessa of her exquisite features.With downcast eyes and a troubled expression she stood modestly before them until Patsy caught her rapturously in her arms and covered her face with kisses.
"You lovely，lovely thing！"she cried."I'm so glad to seeyou again，Tato darling！"The Duke's stern features softened.He sighed heavily and accepted Uncle John's polite invitation to be seated.
The little party of Americans was fairly astounded by this unexpected visit.Kenneth regretted that he had left his revolver upstairs，but the others remembered that the brigand wouldnot dare to molest them in the security of the hotel grounds，and were more curious than afraid.
Il Duca's hand was wrapped in a bandage，but the damaged finger did not seem to affect him seriously.Beth could not take her eyes off this dreadful evidence of her late con？ict，and stared at it as if the bandage fascinated her.
"Signore，"said the Duke，addressing Uncle Johnespecially，"I owe to you my apologies and my excuses for the annoyance I have caused to you and your friends.I have the explanation，if you will so kindly permit me.""Fire away，Duke，"was the response.
"Signore，I unfortunately come of a race of brigands.For centuries my family has been lawless and it was natural that byeducation I，too，should become a brigand.In my youth my father was killed in an affraya and my mother took his place，seizing many prisoners and exacting from them ransom.My mother you have seen，and you know of her sudden madness and of her death.She was always mad，I think，and by nature a fiendb.She urged my elder brother to wicked crimes，and when he rebelled she herself cast him，in a fit of anger，into the pit.I became duke in his place，and did my mother's bidding because I feared to oppose her.But for years I have longed to abandon the life and have done withc crime.
