"I fear you undervalue yourself，my dear guest，"hesaid."Recently have I returned from America，where I was told much of the wealth of Signor John Merreek，who is many times a millionaire.See，"drawing a paper from his pocket，"here is a list of the stocks and securities you own.Also of government and railway bonds，of real estate and of manufactures controlled by your money.I will read，and you will correct me if an error occurs."Uncle John listened and was amazed.The schedule was complete，and its total was many millions.It was a better list of holdings than Uncle John possessed himself.
"You foreigners make queer mistakes，Duke，"said he，taking another tack."This property belongs to another John Merrick.It is a common name，and that is doubtless why you mistook me for the rich John Merrick.""I have noticed，"returned the Duke，coldly，"that thisstrange delusion of mind is apt to overtake my guests.But do not be alarmed；it will pass away presently，and then you will realize that you are yourself.Remember that I crossed the Atlantic on your steamship，signore.Many people there on board spoke of you and pointed you out to me as the great man of ?nance.Your own niece that is called Patsy，she also told me much about you，and of your kindness to her and the other young signorini.Before I left New York a banker of muchdignity informed me you would sail on the ship 'Princess Irene.'If a mistake has been made，signore，it is yours，and not mine.Is your memory clearer now ？"Uncle John laughed frankly.The rascal was too clever for him to dispute with.
"Whoever I am，"said he，"I will not buy your ring.""I am pained，"replied the brigand，lightly."But there is ample time for you to reflect upon the matter.Do not decide hastily，I implore you.I may have been too liberal in making my offer，and time may assist me in ?xing a just price for the relic.But we have had enough of business just now.It is time for our midday collation.Obligea me by joining us，signore."He blew a shrillb whistle，and a man stepped out of adoorway.He was an enormous Sicilian，tall，sinewyc and with a countenanced as dark and ?erce as his master's.In his belt was a long knife，such as is known as a stilleto.
"Tommaso，"said the Duke，"kindly show Signor Merreekto his room，and ask Guido if luncheon is ready to be served.""Va bene，padrone，"growled the man，and turnedobediently to escort the American.
Uncle John entered the house，traversede a broad and cool passage，mounted to the second ?oor and found himself in a pleasant room with a balcony overlooking the valley.It wascomfortably furnished，and with a bow that was not without a certain grim respect the man left him alone and tramped down the stairs again.There had been no attempt to restrain his liberty or molest him in any way，yet he was not slow to recognize the fact that he was a prisoner.Not in the house，perhaps，but in the valley.There was no need to con?ne himmore closely.He could not escape.
He bathed his hands and face，dried them on a fresh towel，and found his toilet table well supplied with conveniences.In the next room some one was pacing the ?oor like a caged beast，growling and muttering angrily at every step.
Uncle John listened."The brigand seems to have more than one guest，"he thought，and smiled at the other's foolish outbursts.
Then he caught a word or two of English that made him start.He went to the door between the two rooms and threw it open，?nding himself face to face with Count Ferralti.