The Amulet

d; but he possessed also, at the extremity of the city, pleasure-grounds, where in fine weather he was accustomed to invite his friends and acqu

ast garden diversified with winding paths, flowery parterres, hillocks, and grottos. Here and there, scattered among the thickets of verdure, appeared marble statues representing principally the gods of pagan mythology. In the centre of the garden wa

s an antique pavilion of gray-stone, the walls of which were nearly covered with i

e of slate which gave admittance, this heavy building presented nothing remarkable, unless it were two

the half decayed props which had supported the plants of the previous autumn. The statues were spotted by the dust

untrimmed, but, above all, the complete silence, gave a mournful air of abandonment to

ce of the grottos, night already reigned. Not the slightest sound was heard in this place. The noise of the people at work in the city resounded in the air, the chiming of the church-bells was waf

sue from the old edifice; but it was so indistinct and so often interrupted

er, resounded through the garden. Some one ha

eared on the staircase of the pavi

sunken and emaciated, were very red. His eyes were wild in their expression. His arms and legs were of extraordinary

est of black leather, a red doublet and breeches

and he held a file, and apparently he had been interrupted in some urgent work by the knock at

kno

your companion Bernardo," was

you stopped at the Came

ing me as much as a pint

e you nothing? I have wo

nd no one thinks of me.

nt steel spring and examined it attentively, closing and op

s so prominent. His physiognomy denoted pusillanimity; but there was, at the same time, a malicious

"The spring appears to be good. Go bring me a

dden it. Let me go; the signor ordered m

break this spring in a tho

"You know I am not wanting in good-will.

hing in my pocket. Lend m

ur master gave you ever so many shillin

made way with t

gh. "You would risk your soul at the gaming-

, in an indifferent tone; "m

, but there is One above who hears wh

man shrugged

on: at the end of this path there is a gallows, and behind it the devil, to whom all such souls are welcome. Adie

mall door, locked it, and

," said the other, e

, or I will complain

r our master?" sai

y with my dagger, that my turn must come to fall by the dagger. Last night, Bernardo, I had rare sport. I knocked down eight, wounded one in the arm, and as to thr

have no

l not leave here until you have h

uppose that the cemeteries were too small to contain the bodies of al

n to my adventures whether you wish it or not. Judge, Bernardo, by the recital of my great deeds what an honor it is to you to be the comrade of so intrepid a man. Be not ill-humored; you know

here Julio threw upon the table the spring he held in

ing a pint of wine to each of them; but in spite of my generosity the villains looked at me angrily, and seemed to excite each other to take revenge upon me. They strove to pick a quarrel. They were like a band of thieves and assassins; but the rascals saw with whom they had to deal. My defiant look, my bold words, my intrepid countenance, kept them at a respectful distance from me. Suddenly the dreaded Bufferio entered the cellar. He had no sooner learned from his comrades how fortune had favored me than he challenged me to play with him. It was just what I wanted. I don't know how it happened, but I lost every game. Each time we doubled the stakes; a cold sweat bathed my brow as I saw florin after florin quietly put in the pocket of my adversary, until I had only one farthing left. This time fortune favored me; but Bufferio insisted that the dice had not been fairly thrown, and he swept the table of all the money staked. I sprang to my feet and called him a cheat. He instantly dealt

h an incredulous smile. When it was c

re?" asked Julio. "Might it not be narrated

fright. But this morning I saw this Bufferio, whom you

e; you are

ruffian well, for I have twi

not be able to make his appearance i

took your mone

cou

feet, why did you not recover t

e hurry of the struggle I did not think of it, and then I had not the time: the watchmen ran on hearing

emained a quarter of an hour upon the spot," said Bernardo, wit

ed in to

panion from head to f

t you might not understand the joke, a

t you think," rep

allest drop of blood, not the least spot, upon your clothe

ed his teeth, and looked at his c

tired of life? Fool! were I only to lay my

Julio; I believe all you told me, and I never doubted your marvellous courage. If someti

ould have already laid you at my feet," said Julio; "

lio, and I will go to buy you

for you, if you will do me a favor. I am in absolute want of money; lend me a few

ve them to you, you would

would pay for some things our ma

m his doublet, and handed to hi

he said. "I fear they w

illings into his po

ng to the parish of Saint Andrew, to se

and aged mother who requires your aid. You are always talking of sending her assistance, and for six months p

ever speak to me again of my mother. You touch the only sensitive spot in my heart. And yet you are right; I

his is the third spring you have ordered,

nown only to my m

ardo. "Springs, a sec

l show you. The signor m

rdo, you must be as sile

howed him a large arm-chair, which in form was like the other chai

h the bewitched chair to the devil! I have already exhausted myself; b

ively the unfinished cha

, "a chair for a trap!

his head af

ve me! What crime is in contemplation? Does our maste

t you received the order

sign of the cross, and mut

d woman's story. Be at ease, Bernardo; this is done only to satisfy a caprice of our master. He intends to clean the garden and repair the fountain. He will place this arm-chair in

at his own fears. "Open the door now, Julio;

together, and they turned their

rrified his companion by the revelation of his master's secret. He seated himself on the ground near the chair, and taking some tools

he tavern of the 'Silver Dice.' I will play at first with a few farthings, then for white pieces, at last for florins and even crowns! This time I will stop playing as soon as my pocket is full of money. Then at least I will send something to my poor mother. In what condition is she now? Perhaps she no longer lives on earth; that would be be

were about to do a fine thing! I would have been caught by my own trap; and if the signor had forgotten to come this evening, I would have remain

o the door, Julio began to work with apparent eagerness; and in order to a

d for an instant motionless, contemplating in silence his servant, who

before he could say a word, Julio drew his dagger from its scabbard

Julio. "You slip through the garden like a thief.

man does not kill another without f

ve or six men were to take me by sur

of a man were of no more v

it is not wor

e turned towards the door. "For years I have heard you boasting; t

, put his arms akimbo, and was about

n, imperiously, "Light the la

a winding staircase. Opening the door of a large room, he threw himself upon a ch

, and his eyes wandering in feverish agita

every luxury; he will astonish the world by the magnificence of his style of living, and from the pinnacle of his grandeur he will cast an eye of lawful pride upon Turchi dishonored and ruined! Miserable dog that I am! Deodati will discover that I owe him ten thousand crowns. He will appeal to the courts of justice, and I will be condemned as a rogue; they will discover that I have spent more than I possessed. Outraged, des

nd placed a lighted c

"to what trial do you wi

may be, it will not b

i; "sit down and listen attentively to my words.

alicious and incredulous smile, but he took the

gree that I will soon be condemned to eternal infamy and misery, unless, by a bold stroke of vengeance, I break through the snares he has laid for my destruction. Be calm, Julio; it does you honor to be inflamed with anger against the enemies of your master; but listen. I d

signor; if it could speak, it wou

hesitate to undertak

I would not hesitate were twenty

irs. I give you the highest proof of confidence by intrusting my vengeance to your hands. I will tell you

ppeared unpala

g. I will pick a quarrel with your enemy, and if he d

; he is of

, his valets would fal

lio; I will tell you where you can stab

injured me. Since how long has it been the custom for valets to av

," replied Simon Turchi, with bitter irony; "and now you alleg

choose to lie in wait an

subterfuge, to con

easy, why do you not deal

trembled with rage; but by a strong effort he controlled his emotion, a

bling; I have not dismissed you, although you have deserved it a hundred times; and now, when for the first time you can be useful to me, you h

ce. "I am willing to risk my life a thousand times for you; but to lie in wait for an un

y. If a price is set upon your head in the city of Lucca, if at this moment you are under sen

Julio with terror.

r was committed, and I was arrested with those who gave the fatal blow. Believe me, I knew nothing of their designs. I do no

make known to the superintendent of Lucca who is the man I have in my service? Suppose I were to tell him that the real name of Julio Julii

ow voice of the false accusations and injustice of men; but his master eyed all his movem

at to do; I

rders with unwavering wil

mpel me to it! But fear not

t Geronimo Deoda

"Geronimo, your intimate friend? That noble and generous cav

lse friend,

[15] He would betray you and seek your rui

. You shall kill him,

n a menac

to what horrible crime would you urg

olently, and whispered hoarsely in his ear: "Piet

stupefied, sa

door, saying: "It is well; I will

o your will, and accept the fate I cannot escape. I have never before committed a murder; you take

ery day

y?-so

would be

d; the sooner

one will then recognize you. You must be in Hoboken Street, near the Dominican Convent, before eleven o'clock. There is at that spot a well which Geronimo must pass both in going and returning. Hide behind the well until Geronimo approaches, then rush upon him and deal him a fatal blow; strike several times. The lute-players are cowards, and they wil

e development of the frightful plot he kept his eyes fixed on hi

ter, "is not the proj

ishing!" stammered the se

se, to strike the blow?

ou af

me reflect a mo

silence, he looked at

be men of courage; that I should be wounded or made prisoner: any of these events might occur. I would certainly be broken on the wheel or burned alive. That, however, would be of little consequence, if by my death I could be useful to you. B

uld betray me?" said Tu

myself; but under torture my tongue mig

eth with suppressed rage. His servant glanced at him stealt

he room; the scar on his cheek was of a fier

left me in the world but misery and infamy

estined as a snare for Geronimo?" said t

agitated voice. "Talk no more about it; this evening you must lie

purpose without danger either to yo

be true! Tell me th

s his mission to the satisfaction of his employers, and he never betrays a secret. He has five or six intrepid companions engaged in the same trade as himself; they may be relied upon. Give me money to pay this ruf

hought. By degrees a smile parted his lips; it was evident that the proposed pla

ufficient?

he servant. "Four gold pieces

ded him f

at do?"

not eno

will be

w. Perhaps tw

fifteen about me, wit

enough I should be obliged to ret

gh and emptied the con

o's

e back what is le

I do not think m

mission skilfully, and I will recompense you largely. But a thought

that," said Jul

use of Geronimo and tell him I am ill with fever, and that I have sent you in my place to accompany him armed. Foll

a of not being obliged to witness this wicked attack, and now he was commanded to take part

to disguise you from Bufferio. Gird on a sword also, that Geronimo may

p from the table and pre

"Are you going to leave me in the dark?

t the beams, for I have forgo

s only three days ago. Y

Take th

lders. It was a wide cloak, in which the whole body might be wrapp

lence and approached the little garden-gate. There J

key turned; the door wa

vant disappeared in the