Uncle John was greatly interested in the adventure.

It was such a sharp contrast to the hum-drum, unromantic American life he had latterly known that he derived a certain enjoyment from the novel experience.

If the girls did not worry over his absence he would not much regret his visit to Il Duca's secluded valley.
It was already midday, and his nieces would be expecting him to luncheon.

When he did not appear they would make enquiries, and try to find him.

It occurred to him how futile all such attempts must prove.
Even to one acquainted with the mountain paths the entrance to the duke's domain was doubtless a secret, and the brigand had plainly hinted that the native Sicilians were too cautious to spy upon him or molest him in any way.
So far, the only person he had seen was Il Duca himself.