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Letter from Matteo Mazza to his younger brother, Massimo

Wednesday, April 11, 1821

My brother Massimo,

I have just come by your residence to find you not in. Forgive my passing along such news in this manner, but it is of great importance.

In this envelope, you will find a letter I received this morning from a gentleman in Positano. He remarks upon the suspiciously good fortune of that tiny, trifling village—the sort of place we have no interest in, barring the one thing that brought us there years ago.

I thought we’d stripped that village of her value. But what if there is something else, something we overlooked the first time?

He has asked for money in exchange for information. I am willing to agree to this, and I will send him a response immediately. In the interim, however, I would like to see the village, to scout around and explore for myself.

Will you join me? We can take the overland route by horse from Naples. I can leave as soon as tomorrow morning.

Come to me the moment you’ve finished reading this. We have much to discuss.

Fondly,

Your older brother Matteo