Everything began to move quickly the next morning. At first light Conte Bon came from the port to the gates of the Villa. He was on horseback and I ran to meet him and shouted: What news, Signor Conte?

It is confirmed! The Prince of Melioria changed course and did not arrive where he was expected, he told me, and then added: I must consult the council, but keep faith, my lad. Perhaps the good Lord changed the Princes course for a reason. We must wait it out and see. At that, the count spurred his horse and raced up the hill to Villa Melioria.

Il conte Bon races his horse up to the Villa

Prospero called us to meet in the boys dormitory at mid-morning. I quickly recounted what the Baroness had told me and the comments of the Count. Prospero grunted. Rico, who was normally quiet, became very animated.

Yesterday afternoon when I was walking through the atrium of the villa, Rico told us, I felt a freezing wind blow through the house.

Rico feels a freezing wind blow through the Villa

The birds in the aviary starting chirping and chattering so loudly that I had to go over and see what was happening. When I got close to the cage, the birds kept chattering and, please dont laugh, I felt as if someone was standing next to me. I looked around. There were only the birds, but it seemed like I could feel the Prince standing there.

Oh! I felt a chill go up my spine when my friend said this, but Rico quickly continued:

Feeling as if the Prince was there, I felt courageous, like we always felt when he gave us advice. At that moment I notice a strange pacing in the garden. I went outside and met the man and introduced myself, the way the Prince always told us we should do.

What did you discover? Prospero asked.

The man told me he was a count, Rico told us. He calls himself Francesco Algarotti. He says he is a count from Venezia, but he does not seem very Venetian to me, Rico stated.

Rico meets in Count Francesco Algarottithe garden

Why do you say this? Prospero countered.

Because he kept speaking to me in French. When I told him that I am from Venezia, he said that he was too, but when I spoke to him in Venetian, he seemed confused. I had to speak in Italian for him to understand.

Prospero shook his head: Whats he playing at, I wonder?

Rico pulled something out of his pocket. I do not know, but he gave me this coin purse. He said that he will arrange to have some fisherman take us to Napoli early tomorrow morning. All we have to do is meet him at the port.

Rico placed the coin purse in front of Prospero, who poured the clanking contents on the bed. Prospero patted them all flat and then began to inspect the gleaming pile of gold and silver.

This is strange, he said in a hushed tone. Prospero carefully turned over one coin after another. Did you look at these coins, Rico?

At Prosperos nod, Rico and I began to inspect the coins. This is not normal, Rico whispered. This gold and silver all comes from different countries!

It was true. There were scudi from Rome, ducati and zecchini from Venice and fiorini from Florence, talleri from Austria and many other coins that I did not recognize.

Rico pushed the pile back toward Prospero, who put the money back into the purse. I told you that the count was very mysterious. Rico said. Yet, I felt as if the Prince was with me and I was not afraid.

Rico told us that the Prince gave him courage

Rico looked each of us in the eye, waiting for a response. Prospero picked up the coin purse and grinned. Very good, Rico. Youve got us a sponsor so we can get to the mainland and go home. He bounced the purse in his hand, and then tossed it back to Rico with a wink: Now let me tell you what I discovered yesterday.

Prospero winked and told us that he had news for us