severely, signor," said the servant, in a
supplicating tone of voice. "I am willing to risk my life a thousand times
for you; but to lie in wait for an unknown man and kill him
deliberately--this is an infamous crime of which I am not capable."

"Hypocrite!" exclaimed Simon Turchi; "you speak as though I were ignorant
of your past history. If a price is set upon your head in the city of
Lucca, if at this moment you are under sentence of death, is it not
because you assassinated or helped to assassinate the Judge Voltai?"

These words struck Julio with terror. He replied, humbly:

"Signor, I have already told you that in this affair I was more
unfortunate than guilty. I was upon the spot where the murder was
committed, and I was arrested with those who gave the fatal blow. Believe
me, I knew nothing of their designs. I do not deny that in a contest or
quarrel I spare no one; but up to this moment my dagger has never shed
blood without provocation."

Simon fixed his eyes upon his servant, and said in a menacing tone:
"Suppose, in order to avenge myself for thy base ingratitude, I should
make known to the superintendent of Lucca who is the man I have in my
service? Suppose I were to tell him that the real name of Julio Julii is
Pietro Mostajo? Who would be bound hand and foot and sent in the hold of a
ship of war to expiate his crimes upon a scaffold in Italy?"

Julio turned pale and trembled. He moved restlessly upon his chair, and
complained in a low voice of the false accusations and injustice of men;
but his master eyed all his movements in a scornful manner, until at last
the servant, disconcerted, exclaimed impulsively:

"Tell me what to do; I am ready!"

"Will you accomplish my orders with unwavering will and without
hesitation?"

"I must do so, since you compel me to it! But fear nothing; my decision is
made."

"And suppose that Geronimo Deodati were my enemy?"

"Geronimo Deodati!" exclaimed Julio, in indescribable terror. "Geronimo,
your intimate friend? That noble and generous cavalier who loves you as a
brother? He is as gentle as a girl!"

"He is a false friend, a traitor."

"Geronimo gave you the wound on your face?[15] He would betray you and
seek your ruin? That is false, false! It is impossible!"

"He is my mortal enemy. You shall kill him, I say!" exclaimed Simon
Turchi, in a menacing voice.

"Must I kill the Signor Geronimo? Ah! to what horrible crime would you
urge me?" said Julio, in a