The Amulet

Simon Turchi, in despair at the failure of all his efforts to succeed in

his design, paced the floor impatiently. Suddenly he stopped before his

servant, and with sparkling eyes he said, in a suppressed voice: "Julio, there must be an end to all this hesitation. We have no choice,

and whatever may be the means, we must not deliberate in presence of the

death which menaces us. Stab Bernardo, and throw him into the sewer above

the body of Geronimo."[25] "Oh, signor, murder Bernardo!" exclaimed Julio, in horror. "And do you

suppose that he would not defend himself? that he would not give the

alarm? In that case, your servant would be recognized, and thus they would

put them on the track of the criminals. Your mind wanders."

Grinding his teeth in his agony, Turchi tossed his arms convulsively, and

at last said, hoarsely: "You will not undertake it alone? You have not the wish to succeed. Coward

that you are, for what are you fit but to boast and drink and gamble in

the taverns? Would that I had never seen you! Leave the corpse in the

cellar; let the bailiff discover it there; we will see which of us will

meet the more courageously an infamous death!"

A prey to the keenest emotion, he fell back in his chair, and while

uttering bitter invectives against his servant, he tore his hair in real

or feigned despair.

The sight of-his master's desolation seemed to make some impression upon

Julio; he regarded him compassionately, and at last said, kindly: "Come, signor, calm yourself. All is not lost, and if my good-will can

save you, I will show you that Julio has the courage and resolution to

carry him through a difficult enterprise. Since you think I am able to

take the corpse alone to the sewer, I will attempt it. Perhaps I may

overrate the difficulties. Be calm, and rely upon my word."

The signor knew that once having made up his mind, his servant would

unhesitatingly execute what he had undertaken, and he comprehended by his

manner that his promise was seriously made. He pressed his hand, and said,

joyfully: "Thanks, Julio, I owe to you my honor and my life. I will never forget it,

and when once the sword, now hanging over my head, is removed, I will

reward you magnificently. Go now to the country-house, disinter the body,

and carry it up to the ground-floor. This will give you less work later.

Fill the grave thoroughly, and as far as possible destroy all appearance

of the earth having been recently dug."