The Amulet

Julio, touched by this proof of kindness, stammered his thanks

indistinctly. He heard the young man speaking to him and telling him how

richly he deserved such a present, but he paid no attention to the words;

he was endeavoring to bring himself to the degree of audacity requisite to

fulfil his master's orders. Geronimo stood immediately in front of the

arm-chair.

With bitter repugnance, but incited by the fear that no more favorable

opportunity would present itself, he approached Geronimo as though to

express his thanks anew. With one bound he sprang upon him, placed a hand

on either shoulder, and pushed him forcibly into the chair.[19] The seat of the deceptive piece of furniture sank down; from the arms

started two powerful springs, which caught the young man around the waist,

and held him so tightly against the back of the chair that it was

impossible for him to move.

"Julio, Julio, what horrible jest is this?" he exclaimed. "Is it a trap?

Do you act by your master's orders?"

But the servant, without saying a word in reply, left the room, closing

the door behind him.

"Tell me, Julio," asked Turchi, descending the staircase to meet his

servant, "is he caught?"

"The chair has done its work," replied Julio; "go do yours. Lose no time;

he might give an alarm which would betray us. The fear of death gives

superhuman strength to a man's lungs. Signor, it seems to me that my head

is not safe on my shoulders. How does yours feel?"

But Simon Turchi heeded not this jest. He muttered a few indistinct words,

drew his sword, and rushed down the steps to wreak his vengeance on the

unfortunate Geronimo.

The servant remained where his master left him, listened to his footsteps

until he heard the door of the fatal room open and then close again.

At first no sound reached his ear, but soon he heard Geronimo calling for

help, and his master mocking and menacing him; at least he judged this by

the tones of their voices, for he was too far off to distinguish the

words. Urged by feeling rather than curiosity, he descended the staircase,

and listened at the door of the room in which so horrible a crime was

about to be committed.

He heard Geronimo say, in an earnest, pleading tone: "Dear Simon, your mind is deranged. You, my friend, kill me! It is

impossible. Put down that dagger; at least let me not die without

confession. If it be the ten thousand crowns exasperating you, I make you

a present of them; tear up in my presence the acknowledgment of the debt,

and I will never speak to you of it again."