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Main > Fairy tale > All authors > Frank Baum > Fairy tale "Aunt Jane's Nieces Abroad"

Aunt Jane's Nieces Abroad

"Let us return, and get some one to help us."

Patsy burst into tears.

"Oh, I'm sure he's lost, or murdered, or kidnapped!" she wailed. "Dear,

dear Uncle John! Whatever shall we do, Beth?"

"Why, he may be at home, waiting for us to get back. Don't give way,

Patsy; it will do no good, you know."

They were thoroughly tired when, just at sunset, they reached the hotel.

Louise came to meet them, and by the question in her eyes they knew

their uncle had not returned.

"Something must be done, and at once," said Beth, decidedly. She was the

younger of the three girls, but in this emergency took the lead because

of her calm and unruffled disposition and native good sense. "Is

Frascatti in the courtyard?"

Patsy ran to see, and soon brought the vetturino into their sitting

room. He could speak English and knew the neighborhood thoroughly. He

ought to be able to advise them.

Frascatti listened intently to their story. He was very evidently

impressed.

"Tell me, then, signorini," he said, thoughtfully; "is Senor Merreek

very rich?"

"Why do you ask?" returned Beth, suspiciously. She remembered the

warning conveyed in Mr. Watson's letter.

"Of course, I know that all the Americans who travel are rich,"

continued Frascatti. "I have myself been in Chicago, which is America.

But is Signor Merreek a very rich and well acquainted man in his own

country? Believe me, it is well that you answer truly."

"I think he is."

The man looked cautiously around, and then came nearer and dropped his

voice to a whisper.

"Are you aware that Il Duca knows this?" he asked.

Beth thought a moment.

"We met the man you call Il Duca, but who told us he was Signor Victor

Valdi, on board the ship, where many of the passengers knew my uncle

well. If he listened to their conversation he would soon know all about

John Merrick, of course."

Frascatti wagged his head solemnly.

"Then, signorina," he said, still speaking very softly, "I assure you

there is no need to worry over your uncle's safety."

"What do you mean?

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