The Amulet

s arms crossed upon his breast. Absorbed in deep thought, he had his eyes fixed on an arm-chair which stood n

nterrupted his reflections; an ironical sm

t. Julio is to kill poor Geronimo! Julio is to bury the body in the cellar! Julio is to do all by himself! When we deal with false people, we must be on our guard. His intention is clear enough to me; he wishe

ents, passed his hand across his br

ster, and the gallows for the servant. This is the consequence of my disorderly life. Had I not gone, in a moment of intoxication, and without knowing it, to the place where Judge Volta? was assassinated, I would not have been obliged to fly from my country, and Signor Turchi would not have it in his power to force me

ents, then, with a gesture

ailiff and the executioner!' At the present moment I am powerless; if I took any means to prevent the attempt, he might destroy all evidence of his criminal design, and deliver me up to the authorities of Lucca. I would be taken into Italy and broken on the wheel, in the very place

is cheek was of a more ashy hue. He did not tremble, but he walked precipitately, a

pon his chest, and it was only on his near approach that Julio su

gh. Of what are you th

, with a light laugh; "

Simon, "since I alone

fear, would not love for my master fill me with painful

what has take

the deepest secrecy, you immolate a human being to your thirst for v

e his master tremble, although he tried to disse

God! My precautions are too well taken; when the cellar will b

ot surprising that I bowed my head in thought. In imagination I saw such terrible

asked Turchi, with

criminal; the people cast filth and dirt upon the prisoner, and cried out, 'Murderer!' What did I see? A scaffold, and on this scaffold an exe

but his master convulsively caught

hen? Wh

auded and poured out mal

se n

s, si

f his probable end, that he uttered a cry of terror and sprang

this vivid scene solely as a means to induce his master to renounce his perilous enterprise; his motiv

ghly-wrought prediction did not last long. He ra

h the cowardly. It is unfortunate for me that I need you, otherwise I would soon rid myself of your presence. But I, at least, will not r

, signor; fear does not disturb me. Sympathy for you suggested the train of thought, and I c

e height of his grandeur and felicity? No, no. I myself will be, must be, happy, rich, prosperous; and even should all escape my grasp; should the scaffold be my lot, the rage of vengeance which lacerates my heart must be satisfied….

on the hilt of his sword; his face was scarl

aster could not execute it. An ironical smile played upon his lips;

eronimo should find us engaged in

would y

ould permit himself to be led

xclaimed Simon Turchi

unded through the court-yard where the l

d Turchi, anxiously, "what re

have promised-neit

room; tell him that I am engaged with the foreign merchant; if he does not sit down at once

ake me entice the Signor Geroni

threatening voice an

emember the Superi

ng, went to the garde

ood luck brings you here on a visit to my mast

as he walked towards the house. "But the place looks so wild and uncare

has been very melancholy, and no

but things will be

ur words were

lio. You excite my fea

l, if he would not arouse the gentleman's susp

umor. Ever since I saw Bufferio's sword lifted against you, I have suffered from

e conducted Geronimo to the roo

ter is up-stairs. I will inform him

rcase, he hid himself behind a door and listened atten

a long time, he returned to the

cting some business with the merchant of whom he spoke to you yesterday. Th

d with a beating heart he observed his movements. But he was disappointed, fo

ience his master was counting each passing momen

nt to this place, and you must be fatigued after you

tigued. I love to look at those beautiful

ment of impatience

ccount, Julio," said Geronimo. "G

contrary to your wish, it is to ask you a question; and

give me pleasure to show my gratitude for the courage with

the beautiful Miss Van de Werve. The news rejoiced me; but

ushed his cheek with joy, an

lio, it

ed you are

blessing, for which I shall eternally thank him. On the s

sign

ave me against Bufferio and his comrades. The day of my marriage you will receive a new cloak

lling him how richly he deserved such a present, but he paid no attention to the words; he was endeavoring to bring himsel

sent itself, he approached Geronimo as though to express his thanks anew. With one bound he

wo powerful springs, which caught the young man around the waist, and held him

ible jest is this?" he e

y your maste

g a word in reply, left the ro

descending the staircase to me

n alarm which would betray us. The fear of death gives superhuman strength to a man's lun

indistinct words, drew his sword, and rushed down the s

listened to his footsteps until he heard the d

t he judged this by the tones of their voices, for he was too far off to distinguish the words. Urged by feeling rather than cur

say, in an earne

t let me not die without confession. If it be the ten thousand crowns exasperating you, I make you a present

ve!" howled Simon Turc

aly, and never again will I see a country

te-too late.

ees us; your conscience will torture you; never again will there be peace for you on ea

re crushed, and Julio heard a sound which

ot mortal, for Geronimo raised his voice w

mon, let me liv

ped his lips, while, as hi

d, forgive him

tired to the foot of the staircase. He had hardly reached it

l more frightful. The signor could hardly have been recognized. His hair stood upright; his eye

, ascended the staircase, and having reached

d him, placed himself

, is the deed

breath," said Turchi

a few moments,

istance, that you are

e heart, the blade of my dagger struck against metal, and grated harshly

ruck the amulet which the young

t which a poignard is always aimed, and no one is secure in the darkness of night from the ass

ith anguish and horror. I tottered so that I feared I would fall before completing the work; but happily I gained

he reall

blood is left

ed from his excessive em

to have seen me there at that time. Later, I will call on Mr. Van de Werve. I must be seen in different places and speak with many people. Go down, Julio, and drag the

and I am not a man to neglect the precaution

shed my task, Ju

f, into the cellar? No, no

Julio. I must go imm

me. I will not remain alon

u to do so?" exclaimed Tu

signor. You will work wi

y moment when the blood is boiling in my veins? Do as I command,

r you; but would you dare now to reveal my real name, now that by one word I can deliver you into the hands of the executioner? Hereafter, signor, you will speak to me neither so harsh

age; but soon recovering himself, he took

nds. You must see that it is important for me to go without delay to the factory to change my dress. For the safety of both of us I ought

is head, but was ev

till hesitate, Julio? I will reward you generously. This very evening I will give you

signor, when I retu

e, and possibly you may find me here. In all events I will wait for you this evening a

io; "I will do my

e horrible murder had been committed, he stood for a moment with

l murderer. His garments were saturated with blood, and his feet rested in a pool of blood. There was a large wound in his neck and another in his breast; his face was

life? He, however, will in heaven, with God, be indemnified for his horrible death. And we? But the present is not the time for reflecti

ir, passed his arm unde

d loosed their hold u

olding the light in his hand, he descended until he reached a subterranean passage. Very deep under the ground, and at the end of this passage, was a kind of vaulted cellar closed by a heavy

outside the door against the wall of th

ength in order to finish as soon as possible his painful task, and dragged the corpse into the cellar. There he let it fall upon the side of the grave a

Turchi has not yet left. At any rate, I will first wash awa

left the cellar, with

om he found that h

nearly dark, and he could hardly hope to finish before

o necessity, and prepared for his

ually appearing, even in places that he had washed several times. This was particularly the case in the room where the murder had been committed. D

the slightest impression; for at the least sound of the wind through the leaves of the trees, at the least

e emotions, and continued his labor on

mined attentively the whole floor, a

one. My arms are almost broken; I can scarcely straighten myself. Now for my last t

, and taking the lamp descended agai

topped, turned pale from terror, and looked tremblingly around him. He th

d him. Summoning up all his resolution, he walked on towards the cellar, and

ing his pace, suddenly a human voice fell upon his ear. There

nd thus left in total darkness he fled from the cellar as rapidly as he could by

ighting a lamp. Here he remained a long time seated and buried in thought; v

fe from its scabbard, and tr

geance of my perfidious master in order not to imbue my hands in his blood, and I will not now be guilty of it. But wh

nded the stairs leading to the cellar; after some hesitation he

he heard no sound from the breast of the unfortunate victim, although he saw

ment, Julio muttered

inish my work to-morrow. But my master will ask if all is done? He need know nothing of this circumstance. But

ides threaded the obscure streets to rejoin his mast