ught with danger to yourself. Suppose
that Geronimo should perceive me too soon and defend himself; that by
chance the lute-players should be men of courage; that I should be wounded
or made prisoner: any of these events might occur. I would certainly be
broken on the wheel or burned alive. That, however, would be of little
consequence, if by my death I could be useful to you. But I am your
servant, and known as such by all your acquaintances; and as I could have
no motive of hatred or vengeance against a cavalier who has never spoken
an unkind word to me, you would be at once suspected of having ordered the
murder."

"And you, I suppose, would betray me?" said Turchi, with bitter irony.

"Betray you, signor? that would not save myself; but under torture my
tongue might against my will pronounce your name."

Simon strode up and down the room, muttering between his teeth with
suppressed rage. His servant glanced at him stealthily, with an almost
imperceptible smile of joy and triumph.

At last Simon stood still in the middle of the room; the scar on his cheek
was of a fiery red, and his eyes rolled around restlessly.

"Shall I then be forever ruined? Nothing is left me in the world but
misery and infamy! Julio, is the arm-chair progressing?"[16]

"The arm-chair! Then the arm-chair was destined as a snare for Geronimo?"
said the servant, stupefied. "What do you mean?"

"No, no, the chair would come too late!" said Simon Turchi, in an agitated
voice. "Talk no more about it; this evening you must lie in wait for
Geronimo and kill him. It is decided; it must be done!"

"I know a means to accomplish your purpose without danger either to you or
me, signor," said the servant.

"Ah, if what you say be true! Tell me this means of safety!"

"There lives in the parish of Saint Andrew a man of giant stature and
strength; he is named Bufferio; he will do anything for money; whether it
be to beat, wound, or kill a man, it is all the same to him. He fulfils
his mission to the satisfaction of his employers, and he never betrays a
secret. He has five or six intrepid companions engaged in the same trade
as himself; they may be relied upon. Give me money to pay this ruffian,
and you need have no anxiety; Bufferio will think that I am acting from
personal vengeance; besides, he does not know me. Thus neither of us will
be suspected nor accused should the affair prove unsuccessful."

Simon seemed surprised by Julio's words, and he