_Non fa niente!_ It is regrettable, but--" "Will you go at once ?" stamping her foot angrily.
"Most certainly, signorina." "Then lose no time.

I will go with you and see you start." She followed the man out, and kept at his side until he had secured several servants with lanterns for the search.

The promise of high _caparra_ or earnest money made all eager to join the band, but the padrone could only allow a half dozen to leave their stations at the hotel.

In the town, however, whither Beth accompanied them, a score of sleepy looking fellows were speedily secured, and under the command of Frascatti, who had resolved to earn his money by energy and good will because there was no chance of success, they marched out of the Catania Gate and scattered along the mountain paths.
"If you find Uncle John before morning I will give you a thousand lira additional," promised Beth.
"We will search faithfully," replied her captain, "but the signorina must not be disappointed if the lawless ones evade us.

They have a way of hiding close in the caves, where none may find them.