CHAPTER XXVII
TATO IS ADOPTED
They canvassed the subject of their future travels with considerableearnestness. Uncle John was bent upon getting to Rome and Venice, andfrom there to Paris, and the nieces were willing to go anywhere hepreferred, as they were sure to enjoy every day of their trip in the oldworld. But Mr. Watson urged them strongly to visit Syracuse, since theywere not likely to return to Sicily again and the most famous of all theancient historic capitals was only a few hours' journey from Taormina.So it was finally decided to pass a week in Syracuse before returning tothe 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 beinguneasy as long as they remained on the scene of his recent excitingexperiences. Mr. Watson advised them all not to stray far from thehotel, as there was no certainty that Il Duca would not make anotherattempt to entrap them, or at least to be revenged for their escape fromhis clutches.
On the afternoon of the next day, however, they were startled by a callfrom the Duke in person. He was dressed in his usual faded velvetcostume 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 coarse material; but nocostume could destroy the fairy-like perfection of her form or thedaintiness of her exquisite features. With downcast eyes and a troubledexpression she stood modestly before them until Patsy caught herrapturously in her arms and covered her face with kisses.
"You lovely, lovely thing!" she cried. "I'm _so_ glad to see you again,Tato darling!"
The Duke's stern features softened. He sighed heavily and acceptedUncle John's polite invitation to be seated.
The little party of Americans was fairly astounded by this unexpectedvisit. Kenneth regretted that he had left his revolver upstairs, but theothers remembered that the brigand would not dare to molest them in thesecurity of the hotel grounds, and were more curious than afraid.
Il Duca's hand was wrapped in a bandage, but the damaged finger did notseem to affect him seriously. Beth could not take her eyes off thisdreadful evidence of her late conflict, and stared at it as if thebandage fascinated her.
"Signore," said the Duke, addressing Uncle John especially, "I owe toyou my apologies and my excuses for the annoyance I have caused to youand your friends. I have the explanation, if you will so kindly permitme."
"Fire away, Duke," was the response.
"Signore, I unfortunately come of a race of brigands. For centuries myfamily has been lawless and it was natural that by education I, too,should become a brigand. In my youth my father was killed in an affrayand my mother took his place, seizing many prisoners and exacting fromthem ransom. My mother you have seen, and you know of her sudden madnessand of her death. She was always mad, I think, and by nature a fiend.She urged my elder brother to wicked crimes, and when he rebelled sheherself cast him, in a fit of anger, into the pit. I became duke in hisplace, and did my mother's bidding because I feared to oppose her. Butfor years I have longed to abandon the life and have done with crime.
"With me our race ends, for I have no sons. But my one child, whom youknow as Tato, I love dearly. My greatest wish is to see her happy. Thelast few days have changed the fortunes of us both. The Duchessa isgone, and at last I am the master of my own fate. As for Tato, she hasbeen charmed by the young American signorini, and longs to be like them.So we come to ask that you forgive the wrong we did you, and that youwill now allow us to be your friends."
Uncle John was amazed.
"You have decided to reform, Duke?" he asked.
"Yes, signore. Not alone for Tato's sake, but because I loathe the lifeof brigandage. See; here is my thought. At once I will disband my menand send them away. My household effects I will sell, and then abandonthe valley forever. Tato and I have some money, enough to live in quietin some other land, where we shall be unknown."
"A very good idea, Duke."
"But from my respect for you, Signer Merreek, and from my daughter'slove for your nieces--the brave and beautiful signorini--I shall dare toask from you a favor. But already I am aware that we do not deserve it."
"What is it, sir?"
"That you take my Tato to keep for a few weeks, until I can send away mymen and arrange my affairs here. It would be unpleasant for the childhere, and with you she will be so happy. I would like the sweetsignorini to buy nice dresses, like those they themselves wear, for mylittle girl, and to teach her the good manners she could not gain asthe brigand's daughter. Tato has the money to pay for everything but thekindness, if you will let her stay in your society until I can claimher. I am aware that I ask too much; but the Signorina Patsy has said tomy child that they would always be friends, whatever might happen, andas I know you to be generous I have dared to come to you with thisrequest. I only ask your friendship for my Tato, who is innocent. Formyself, after I have become a good man, then perhaps you will forgiveme, too."
Uncle John looked thoughtful; the old lawyer was grave and listenedsilently. Patsy, her arms still around the shrinking form of the child,looked pleadingly at her uncle. Beth's eyes were moist and Louise smiledencouragingly.
"Well, my dears? The Duke is certainly not entitled to our friendship,as he truly says; but I have nothing against little Tato. What do youadvise?"
"Let us keep her, and dress her like the beautiful doll she is, and loveher!" cried Patsy.
"She shall be our adopted cousin," said Louise.
"Tato is good stuff!" declared Kenneth.
"Well, Beth?"
"It seems to me, Uncle," said the girl, seriously, "that if the Dukereally wishes to reform, we should give him a helping hand. The littlegirl has led a bad life only because her father forced her to lure hisvictims and then procure the money for their ransoms; but I am sure hernature is sweet and pure, and she is so young that she will soon forgetthe evil things she has learned. So I vote with my cousins. Let us adoptTato, and care for her until her father can introduce her into a new andmore proper life."
"Well argued, Beth," said Uncle John, approvingly. "I couldn't have putthe case better myself. What do you say, Silas Watson?"
"That you are all quite right," answered the old lawyer. "And the bestpart of the whole thing, to me, is the fact that this nest of brigandswill be wiped out of existence, and Taormina be hereafter as safe fortourists as old Elmhurst itself. I wish I could say as much for the restof Sicily."
Uncle John extended his hand to the Duke, who took it gratefully,although with a shamefaced expression that was perhaps natural under thecircumstances.
"Look up, dear," said Patsy to the girl, softly; "look up and kiss me.You've been adopted, Tato! Are you glad?"