The Amulet

"Insolent wretch!" cried Turchi, grinding his teeth, "my own safety and

yours compel me to a painful circumspection; but beware how you brave me!

Tell me why you are not on your way to Germany."

"You ask me something that I don't know myself. But let me see. Just as I

was about to leave I went to the Swan, and drank a few pints of wine.

This morning, when I awoke, I was seated before a table at the Silver

Dice. How I came there, I cannot tell. It was then too late for me to

pass the gate. I determined to wait until to-morrow, and I came here to

take a night's rest before setting out on the journey."

"And you played at dice?" said Turchi.

"I think I did; for the rattling of the dice still sounds in my ears."

"And the money? the two hundred crowns?"

"Be quiet, signor, on that point. I ask you for nothing. What business is

it of yours that I have spent or lost a few pieces of gold, provided I

leave for Germany to-morrow at daybreak?"

Simon Turchi was like one frenzied.

"Yes," he exclaimed, "and at the first tavern you meet on the way you will

drown your senses with drink, and you will squander my money."

"Not so, signor; rely upon me--I will leave to-morrow morning at daybreak,

and if I drink on the way it will only be to quench a burning thirst."

Simon Turchi's eye shone with a sudden and mysterious light, excited by

some secret thought. He became calm, and shrugging his shoulders, said

quietly, as though he submitted with resignation to the contradictions

which he could not avoid: "I ought, Julio, to punish your want of fidelity. If the bailiff had come

here to-day, as I expected, your culpable neglect of duty would have

placed us both in the hands of justice. Fortunately the visit will not be

made before noon to-morrow. As your negligence has had no evil

consequences, I fully pardon you, upon condition that you leave the city

before sunrise, and that you travel without stopping until you reach the

Rhine."

"Never fear this time, signor," replied Julio. "I will pass the night

here, and at early dawn I will be beyond the city gate. In the first

village I will buy a horse, and I will make such speed that he who would

catch me must needs have wings."

He yawned, stretching his arms above his head, and said: "I am overpowered by fatigue and sleep. If you have no other directions to

give, permit me, signor, to go to bed, that I may be ready for the

morning."