The Conte Liked to think of himself as an enlightened man. He had always enjoyed learning, and was fascinated by all the Sciences. His, was a curious and restless nature, always ready to pursue a mystery, always seeking to know more. He liked to work late into the night and often it would be dawn before he was ready to stop.

This Christmas Eve had been just such a night. When Midnight Mass was over, everyone had gone to their respective homes. He had found himself alone, far from his family, so it had been a perfect night to indulge his interests. Now the cold winter light of dawn was shining through the windows. The Conte felt tired, but satisfied with the nights work.

He liked this time of the night, when everything was quiet. He liked to stand and look out from his window at the port and Village of Sorentina, asleep bellow, sipping his home made Grappa.

As he gazed out of the window, as he had done on so many other nights he saw something very unusual. The Conte moved closer to the window to get a better look........Not believing his eyes he looked at the glass containing his latest batch of Grappa and put it down and looked again.

HAPPY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE !!!!!