Thomas O'Mally James Smith Arthur Worth La Signorina Capricciosa Kitty Killigrew Am. Comic Opera Co., N.Y. "Kitty has been here!" "Perfectly true. But I wonder." "Wonder about what?" asked Merrihew. "Who La Signorina Capricciosa is. Whimsical indeed. She must be the mysterious prima donna." He studied the easy-flowing hand, and ran his fingers through his hair thoughtfully. Then he frowned. "What is it?" asked Merrihew curiously. "Nothing; only I am wondering where I have seen that handwriting before." CHAPTER IX MRS. SANDFORD WINKS A week in Sorrento, during which Merrihew saw all the beautiful villas, took tea with the Russian princess, made a martyr of himself trying to acquire a taste for the sour astringent wines of the country, and bought inlaid-wood paper-cutters and silk socks and neckties and hat-bands, enough, in truth, to last him for several generations; another week in Capri, where, at the Zum Kater Hidigeigei, he exchanged compliments with the green parrot, drank good beer, played _batseka_ (a game of billiards) with the exiles (for Capri has as many as Cairo!) and beat them out of sundry lire, toiled up to the ledge where the playful Tiberius (see guide-books) tipped over his whilom favorites, bought a marine daub; and then back to Naples and the friendly smells. His constant enthusiasm and refreshing observations were a tonic to Hillard. At the hotel in Naples they found a batch of mail. There was a letter which held particular interest to Merrihew. It was from the consul at Rome, a reply to Hillard's inquiries regarding the American Comic Opera Company. "We'll now find out where your charming Kitty is," Hillard said, breaking the seal.