“That is, if I can,” he added, smiling. “It is one good thing about the Catholics that they teach their young men Latin much more thoroughly than we learn it in our schools. The priests cannot only read and write it, but they can always converse in it fluently. But I think I can translate this for you; at any rate, I will write it out for you in English, for you probably could not remember it all.”
He read it over first carefully, and then wrote the following translation:—
Most Reverend and Well Beloved Brother: This will be presented to you by Mr. Christopher Silburn, a young American in whom I take an interest.
His father has been shipwrecked and has disappeared, and it is hoped that a sailor now in one of your New Zealand hospitals may prove to be the missing man.
I bespeak for my young friend your good offices in whatever manner may be fitting.
Accept, brother, the assurance of my continued love and esteem.
Galotti.
“Galotti—Galotti,” Mr. Wright said, musingly, as he copied the signature; “why, there is a celebrated cardinal of that name. This can hardly be from Cardinal Galotti, I suppose?”
“Yes, sir,” Vieve answered, swelling a little with pride in her brother; “that is the man. He is one of Kit’s friends in Marseilles.”
Such an astonishing statement had to be explained; and in answer to her pastor’s questions she repeated the story of their meeting in the strange church as Kit had told it in his letter.
“I am remarkably glad to hear it,” Mr. Wright said, when she finished. “Kit is a good boy, and sure to make good friends wherever he goes. But I imagine you have no idea what a powerful friend he has made this time. The cardinals hold the very highest position in the Catholic Church, next to the Pope himself. Such a letter as this from a cardinal to a bishop is almost equal to a royal command, and may be of the greatest use to you. Wait a minute; I think I can tell you something about Cardinal Galotti.”
He turned to a bookcase and took down a volume, and in a few minutes continued:—
“Yes, Galotti is one of the most eminent of the cardinals, and may eventually be the Pope himself. All the cardinals are called ecclesiastical princes, you know; but Galotti is a temporal prince as well, being a prince of Italy. No wonder he seemed so much at ease in the little throne they arranged for him in that curious church. I don’t believe in such things myself; but I am truly glad that Kit has made so powerful a friend.”
Whether Vieve had anything to say to the girls at school about “Kit’s friend the cardinal,” would be hard to tell; but in a little over two weeks more she ran down the post-office hill so fast one morning that her mother knew she had some news, though there was no letter in her hand.