"And how did you happen to ?nd Ferralti？""By chance，signore."Uncle John saved his remaining breath for the climb.He could ask questions afterward.
The path was in a crevassea where the rocks seemed once to have split.It was narrow and steep，and before long ended in a cul de sacb.The little man thought they had reached their destination，then；but without hesitation the boy climbed over a boulder and dropped into another path on the opposite side，holding out a hand to assist the American.
Uncle John laughed at the necessity，but promptly slid hisstout body over the boulder and then paused to mop his brow."Much farther，Tato？""Just a step，signore.""It is lucky you found Ferralti，or he might have died in these wilds without a soul knowing he was here.""That is true，signore.""Well，is this the path？""Yes，signore.Follow me，please."The cliffs were precipitousc on both sides of them.It was another crevasse，but not a long one.Presently the child came to a halt because the way ended and they could proceedno farther.He leaned against the rock and in a high—pitched，sweet voice sang part of a Sicilian dittya，neither starting the verse nor ending it，but merely trilling out a fragment.
Uncle John regarded him wonderingly；and then，with a sudden suspicion，he demanded：
"You are not playing me falseb，Tato？"
"I，signore ？"smiling frankly into the man's eyes；"you need never fear Tato，signore.To be your friend，and Signor Ferralti's friend，makes me very proud."The rock he leaned against fell inward，noiselessly，and disclosed a passage.It was short，for there was light at the other end.
The strange child darted in at once."This way，signore.He is here！"Uncle John drew back.He had forgotten until now that these mountains are dangerous.And something strange in the present proceedings，the loneliness of the place and the el?shccharacter of his guide，suddenly warned him to be cautious.
"See here，my lad，"he called："I'll go no farther."Instantly Tato was at his side again，grasping the man's hand in his tiny brown one and searching his face with pleading eyes.
"Ah，signore，you will not fail your friend，when he is sonear you and in such great trouble？See！I who am a strangerand not even his countryman，even I weep for the poor young man，and long to comfort him.Do you，his friend，refuse him aid because you have fear of the wild mountains and a poor peasant boy？"Tears really stood in the beautiful brown eyes.They rolled down his cheeks，as with both hands he pressed that of Uncle John and urged him gently forward.
"Oh，well；lead on，Tato.I'll see the other side of yourtunnel，anyhow.But if you play me tricks，my lad—"He paused，for a wonderful vision had opened before him.Coming through the short passage hewn in the rocks the American stood upon a ledge facing a most beautiful valley，which was hemmed ina by precipitous cliffs on every side.From these stern barriers of the outside world the ground sloped gradually toward the center，where a pretty brook flowed，its waters sparkling like diamonds in the sunlight as it tumbled over its rocky bed.Groves of oranges and of olive，lemon and almond trees occupied much of the vale，and on a higher point at the right，its back to the wall of rock that towered behind it，stood a substantial yet picturesque mansion of stone，with several outbuildings scattered on either side.
The valley seemed，indeed，a toy kingdom sequesteredb from the great outside world，yet so rich and productive within itself that it was independent of all else.
Uncle John gazed with amazement.Who could have guessedthis delightful spot was hidden safe within the heart of the bleak，bare mountain surrounding it？But suddenly he bethought himself.
"What place is this，Tato？"he asked；"and where is ourfriend Ferralti，who needs me？"There was no reply.
He turned around to find the boy had disappeared.Moreover，the passage had disappeared.Only a wall of rock was behind him，and although his eyes anxiously searched the rifts and cracks of its rough surface，no indication of the opening through which he had passed could be discovered.