Geronimo called him, and on entering the ante-chamber he found Geronimo
ready to go out with the lute-players.
Julio was troubled on remarking that these latter were armed. If these
people were brave men, Bufferio and his comrades would have to deal with
an equal number of adversaries. Who could foresee the termination of the
struggle? However, he felt reassured on reflecting that Geronimo and the
lute-players, being attacked unexpectedly, would not have time to defend
themselves.
They left the house together, passed the Dominican Convent, and soon
reached Prince Street, at the upper end of which was the stone well behind
which Bufferio was concealed, if he had been faithful to his promise.
Up to that time Julio had walked in advance of the others, in order to
appear bold and intrepid; he now commenced to fall back, and placed
himself in the rear. His heart failed him; for, however well the plans
had been laid, the blow might miss its aim, or might not cause death.
They were within about one hundred feet of the well.
The young gentleman, wholly ignorant of the danger which threatened him,
was thinking of his unhappy friend, Simon Turchi, overpowered by a heart
sorrow, tossing on a bed of suffering, while he was on his way to serenade
his beloved Mary. He also, in his own mind, deplored the involved
condition of Simon's business affairs, and determined to save him, even at
the cost of great personal sacrifices, as soon as his marriage would
render him independent.
What would the young cavalier have thought had he known that at a few
steps, distance from him, three assassins, hired by Simon Turchi, were
lying in wait to kill him. But no, his mind was filled with compassion and
affectionate feelings for his cruel enemy.
The little band was not far from Hoboken Street; Julio gazed fixedly into
the darkness to discover if any one was near the well.
Suddenly he perceived a dark shadow advancing. Trembling in an agony of
fear, and in order to make himself known to the ruffians, Julio suddenly
drew his sword and exclaimed: "Al assassino! Ajusto! ajusto! Murder! help! help!"
But he had spoken too soon for the success of his designs; for, being put
upon his guard by this exclamation, Geronimo drew his sword, and placed
his back against the wall of the house that he might not be assailed from
behind.
The lute-players, screaming from fright, ran away, and Julio stood in the
middle of the street brandishing his sword.
All this had passed almost instantaneously after the first alarm given by
Julio. The man whom he had seen coming from the well, followed by two
companions, rushed to the side of the street where Geronimo had made a
stand to defend himself. The assassin, who was in advance of the two
others, fell upon Geronimo and gave him a sword-thrust which he supposed
pierced his body; but a skilful movement parried the blow, and the
aggressor himself fell with such force upon Geronimo's sword that the
blade passed through his body.