The Amulet

"Get me the wine, or I will break this spring in a thousand pieces over

your hump."

"Always threatening!" muttered Bernardo. "You know I am not wanting in

good-will. I will go for the wine; give me the money."

"Money? I have not a farthing in my pocket. Lend me the price of this

pint."

"My purse is empty, Julio; but yours? Our master gave you ever so many

shillings yesterday. You told me so yourself."

"Bah! the dice made way with the whole of it."

"Hardened gambler!" said Bernardo, with a sigh. "You would risk your soul

at the gaming-table if any one held out to you a gold coin."

"Very likely!" replied Julio, in an indifferent tone; "my soul is hardly

worth more."

"What impious words! We are alone now, but there is One above who hears

what we say. He will punish you, Julio."

The red-haired man shrugged his shoulders.

"Continue your dissolute habits," resumed Bernardo; "lose your money in

gambling, drown your senses in intoxication: at the end of this path there

is a gallows, and behind it the devil, to whom all such souls are welcome.

Adieu! reflect upon my words, and remember that the justice of God will

one day demand an account of your life. Adieu!"

Julio sprang towards the small door, locked it, and put the key in his

pocket.

"Cease this trifling," said the other, evidently ill at ease.

"Open the door, Julio, or I will complain of you to our master."

"What do I care for our master?" said the man, laughing.

"You say, Bernardo, that I shall end my days on the gallows. No, no; the

proverb says, that he who draws the sword shall perish by the sword. I

have pierced so many 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 three or four others whom I left

extended on the ground, my dagger knows better than I what mischief was

done them. Come in with me, and I will tell you all about it."

"No, I have not time."

"You must take the time. You shall not leave here until you have heard my

adventures of last night."

"It is always the same story over again. If I believed you, I would

suppose that the cemeteries were too small to contain the bodies of all

whom you have slain. Open the door, Julio, and let me go, I beg you."