The Amulet

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.