The Amulet

Julio's countenance expressed stupefaction and terror. During the

development of the frightful plot he kept his eyes fixed on his master's

lips, and he continued to stare at him without moving.

"Well," asked his master, "is not the project cunningly devised?"

"It is astonishing, astonishing!" stammered the servant, lowering his

eyes.

"You are ready, I suppose, to strike the blow? But why do you hesitate?

Are you afraid?"

"No, no; but let me reflect a moment," said Julio.

After a few minutes of silence, he looked at his master, and said: "With your permission, signor, I will say that the plan, as you have

arranged it, appears to me to be fraught with danger to yourself. Suppose

that Geronimo should perceive me too soon and defend himself; that by

chance the lute-players should 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. But I am your

servant, and known as such by all your acquaintances; and as I could have

no motive of hatred or vengeance against a cavalier who has never spoken

an unkind word to me, you would be at once suspected of having ordered the

murder."

"And you, I suppose, would betray me?" said Turchi, with bitter irony.

"Betray you, signor? that would not save myself; but under torture my

tongue might against my will pronounce your name."

Simon strode up and down the room, muttering between his teeth with

suppressed rage. His servant glanced at him stealthily, with an almost

imperceptible smile of joy and triumph.

At last Simon stood still in the middle of the room; the scar on his cheek

was of a fiery red, and his eyes rolled around restlessly.

"Shall I then be forever ruined? Nothing is left me in the world but

misery and infamy! Julio, is the arm-chair progressing?"[16] "The arm-chair! Then the arm-chair was destined as a snare for Geronimo?"

said the servant, stupefied. "What do you mean?"

"No, no, the chair would come too late!" said Simon Turchi, in an agitated

voice. "Talk no more about it; this evening you must lie in wait for

Geronimo and kill him. It is decided; it must be done!"

"I know a means to accomplish your purpose without danger either to you or

me, signor," said the servant.