"SIR:
"After offering you my most sincere respects, I beg to continue by
telling you that no one, up to the time of writing, has treated me
with such lack of attention. It was a present to gentlemen who were
to retain the piece of music, and who have all, without exception,
made me a present of five dollars. It is beyond my humble capacity to
believe that you, after having offered to send me money in an
envelope, should fail to do so.
"Send me, I pray of you, the money to remunerate the small boy for his
repeated visits to you. Please be discreet and send it in an envelope
by the bearer.
"Last night I came to the hotel with the boy. You were dining. I
waited more than an hour for you and then went to the theatre. Give
the boy some small amount, and send me a like offering of larger
proportions.
"Awaiting incessantly a slight attention on your part,
"CAPTAIN ERNESTO BECUCCI."