ated a
disagreeable surprise at the presence of his master, it also said plainly
that he feared not Simon's anger. He held in his hand a small wheaten
loaf, but he hid it hastily under his doublet as if unwilling for Turchi
to see it.

Casting upon him a look of fury, Simon Turchi sprang to his feet, clenched
his fist, and exclaimed in a rage:

"This is too much! Infamous traitor! cowardly rascal! whence do you come?
Does hell itself bring you here for the destruction of both of us? Speak,
base drunkard, and tell me why you are here! Quick, or I will stretch you
dead at my feet. I thirst for your blood."

Julio drew his knife from the scabbard and stammered, in a voice
indistinct from intoxication:

"Wait awhile, signor. Wine, good wine has dulled my senses. You want to
kill me? It would be very fortunate for one of us to die here--the
executioner would have less work. But which of us must first render our
account before the supreme tribunal, my knife and your dagger will decide.
I am ready."

"Insolent wretch!" cried Turchi, grinding his teeth, "my own safety and
yours compel me to a painful circumspection; but beware how you brave me!
Tell me why you are not on your way to Germany."

"You ask me something that I don't know myself. But let me see. Just as I
was about to leave I went to the _Swan_, and drank a few pints of wine.
This morning, when I awoke, I was seated before a table at the _Silver
Dice_. How I came there, I cannot tell. It was then too late for me to
pass the gate. I determined to wait until to-morrow, and I came here to
take a night's rest before setting out on the journey."

"And you played at dice?" said Turchi.

"I think I did; for the rattling of the dice still sounds in my ears."

"And the money? the two hundred crowns?"

"Be quiet, signor, on that point. I ask you for nothing. What business is
it of yours that I have spent or lost a few pieces of gold, provided I
leave for Germany to-morrow at daybreak?"

Simon Turchi was like one frenzied.

"Yes," he exclaimed, "and at the first tavern you meet on the way you will
drown your senses with drink, and you will squander my money."

"Not so, signor; rely upon me--I will leave to-morrow morning at daybreak,
and if I drink on the way it will only be to quench a burning thirst."

Simon Turchi's eye shone with a sudden and mysterious light, excited by
some secret thought. He became calm, and shrugging his shoulders, said
quietly, as thou