to deposit with the New York correspondents of the Banca Commerciale Italiana fifty thousand dollars, and have instructions cabled to the Messina branch of that bank to pay the sum to the written order of John Merrick.

This should all be accomplished within twenty-four hours.

Present the enclosed order, together with my letter of credit and passport, which will identify my signature, and draw the money in cash.

Return with it to Taormina and give it secretly to the boy Tato, who will bring it to me.

I will rejoin you within three hours after I have paid for the ring.
"This may seem a strange proceeding to you, my dears, but you must not hesitate to accomplish it--if you love me.
Should my old friend Silas Watson be now with you, as I expect him to be, he will assist you to do my bidding, for he will be able to realize, better than I can now explain, how important it is to me.
"Also I beg you to do a like service for Count Ferralti, who is entrusting his personal commission, to Louise.