He also must conclude an important purchase before he can return to Taormina.
"More than this I am not permitted to say in this letter.
Confide in no stranger, or official of any sort, and act as secretly and quietly as possible.

I hope soon to be with you.
"Very affectionately, UNCLE JOHN." "What does it all mean ?" asked Patsy, bewildered, when Beth had finished reading.
"Why, it is clear enough, I'm sure," said Kenneth.

"Uncle John is imprisoned by brigands, and the money he requires is his ransom.

We must get it as soon as possible, you know, and luckily he is so rich that he won't miss this little draft at all." Beth sat silent, angrily staring at the letter.
"I suppose," said Patsy, hesitating, "the robbers will do the dear uncle some mischief, if he doesn't pay." "Just knock him on the head, that's all," said the boy.

"But there's no need to worry.