The Amulet

"His dress is entirely brown, and his cap is ornamented with a white

plume; in the darkness you will be able to perceive only the white plume:

that will be a certain sign."

Bufferio shook his head doubtfully.

"Have you nothing else to observe?" he asked.

"I will merely inform you that I will accompany the young gentleman, and

when he falls, I will take from his person a writing, which, if it were

discovered, might involve me in great danger. You will recognize me by

this Spanish cape, and I will cry out very loud, that you and your men may

know that I am not an enemy."

"Now where are the gold crowns?"

"Do you accept the commission, Bufferio?"

"I will fulfil it as though I were laboring for myself."

Julio took from his pocket some gold crowns, then continued to draw them

out one by one, until he held twelve in his hand. He endeavored to conceal

from the ruffian that he possessed more than the sum agreed upon; but

Bufferio must have suspected his intention, for he smiled, and said in a

decided manner: "You have more gold crowns. I knew it from the first; people do not

generally enter into such affairs with only the sum absolutely required.

You need not deceive me. Give me the stipulated amount; I ask no more."

As soon as the other had handed him the money, Bufferio approached the

lamp, examined and weighed each piece of gold, and then said: "It is good coin. Have no anxiety, Julio, I will go for my comrades. There

is but little time left--only a good half hour."

Julio took leave of the ruffian, and was about to quit the room, but he

stopped and said: "Signor Bufferio, you will not tell your companions who

requested this service of you?"

"I tell nothing to my companions. The proverb says, If you wish to lose

your liberty, trust your secrets to others."

"You perfectly understand what you have to do?"

"Yes, yes. At eleven o'clock, behind the well in Hoboken. Street, a young

gentleman with a white plume in his hat. Be quiet, I myself will deal the

blow, and I will not miss the mark."

"Adieu, Bufferio."

"Adieu, Julio."

The ruffian accompanied the servant to the lower story, opened the door of

the street, and closed it behind him.

When Julio found himself in the open air, he walked a short distance, then

stopped, drew a long breath as if a heavy weight had fallen from his

shoulders, and said, joyously: "Heavens! what an escape! I doubt if I am really alive. The difficult

affair is at last concluded. The signor says that I am a coward. I would

like to see him in that room with that infernal woman and the terrible

Bufferio. Now I must go to Geronimo. My greatest difficulty is yet to

come. If I get through it successfully, I may well say that I was born

under a lucky star. But I cannot tarry, I have still a long distance to

walk."