Amulet Page 8

  CHAPTER VIII.

  SIMON TURCHI TRIES TO CONCEAL HIS CRIME.

  After having accompanied Deodati to his residence, Simon Turchi went tohis own dwelling near the bridge _De la Vigne_.

  He was greatly excited, either by extreme anxiety or by a feverishimpatience; for he descended to the ground-floor, entered his office,pretended to be looking for some papers, went up stairs again, paced theroom, opened the window, looked up and down the street, closed the windowpetulantly, and at last, stamping his foot, he angrily exclaimed:

  "The miserable gamester! he is in some tavern drinking, gambling, amusinghimself, while I am here on burning coals, almost overpowered by anxietyand terror! Julio, Julio, if I escape the fate which now threatens me, Iwill have my revenge for your ingratitude!"

  Again he went to the window, and again he was disappointed. Thoroughlydiscouraged, he threw himself upon a chair, heaved a heavy sigh, and aftera moment's silence exclaimed in accents of despair:

  "Alas! alas! is it then true that my crime cannot remain concealed? Whowas it, to my great misfortune, who sent the Dominican brother just to thespot to meet Geronimo, and thus furnished the bailiff with a clue to themurder? Who put the Jewish banker on his track, so that the constablesmight be led to my garden? Who suggested the idea to the bailiff to searchthe cellars? Was it chance? But chance is blind, and does not proceedwith such precision to the fulfilment of a purpose. How frightful if Godhimself conducted justice! if the Supreme Judge, who cannot be deceived,has condemned me to an infamous death! How vain then all hope, all effortto escape!"

  Overpowered by these reflections, Simon Turchi bowed his head upon hisbreast; his hands worked convulsively, and at intervals heart-rendingsighs escaped him.

  Confusedly arose before him a horrible vision: he saw the scaffolderected; he beheld the sword of the executioner glitter in the sunlight;he heard the shouts of the populace calling down the vengeance of heavenupon his guilty head and devoting his name to eternal infamy; he seemed tofeel the mysterious stroke from the uplifted blade, for his frame shookviolently, and he uttered a piercing cry of anguish.

  He thrust his hand into his doublet, and drew from it slowly a small phialhalf filled with a yellow liquid, and held it before him with a shudder ofdisgust and horror.

  "Poison, deadly poison!" he muttered. "He who has the courage to take afew drops will sleep a sweet sleep from which there is no awakening. Andis this my only refuge from the ignominy of the scaffold? Instead ofwealth and happiness, is a miserable death to be the price of my crime?No, no; I must chase away these horrible thoughts."

  He replaced the phial in his doublet, and abandoned himself again to hisdark reflections; but at last he conquered, in a measure, his dejection,and he said, less despairingly but still sorrowfully:

  "And yet everything was going on so smoothly! I had recovered my note; thepossession of the ten thousand crowns enabled me to conceal for thepresent the ruined condition of my affairs; Mary did not appearindifferent to me, and Geronimo being out of the way, I was certain ofsucceeding with her in the course of time. I would in that case becomerich and powerful; her dowry would be sufficient to save me from povertyand a humiliating discovery. Alas! why do the people accuse themagistrates of want of zeal? Things more surprising than thedisappearance of Geronimo have happened lately without any disturbanceamong the populace. It was the public feeling that forced the bailiff tomake extraordinary efforts to discover what had become of him; it will bethe cause of my destruction! Can there be a mysterious impulse to thisunwonted excitement of the multitude? Vainly then would I struggle toescape! Would it not be God himself pursuing me?"

  The recurrence of this thought struck terror to the soul of Simon Turchi,and he buried his head in his hands. Suddenly he started up, and althoughhis lips twitched convulsively, he said, in a firm, strong voice:

  "Ah! ah! fatality is a spur which inspires the most cowardly with coinage.Avaunt, foolish fears! I must struggle on to the end. The bailiff seeks acorpse; he pledges his honor to discover one. Let him find it! Suppose heshould find it elsewhere than in my summer-house? in a sewer, for example?Ah! anxiety had clouded my mind! Still, still, I have means for triumph!Oh, if Julio-would come! Could I only imagine in what tavern the rascal isgambling, I would send Bernardo for him."

  Saying these words, he approached the window and looked out.

  "There comes the loiterer! He walks as composedly as if nothing weighedupon his conscience! He cares not for the preservation of my honor and mylife; since the death of Geronimo he hates and despises me. I must appearangry and indignant, for should he suspect the fear and anxiety torturingmy soul, he would be insolent, and perhaps would laugh at my anguish."

  As Julio approached the house, Simon attracted his attention by loudtalking, and having succeeded in this, he made signs of his impatience andanger until Julio reached the door. He then closed the window, andassuming an expression of rage he turned to meet his servant.

  When Julio on entering saw his master standing with folded arms andmenacing countenance, a slight and ironical smile flitted across his face.

  "Wretch!" exclaimed Simon, "did I not order you to await me here afterChange? Look well to yourself, or I will avenge myself by your blood. Youlaugh! beware, or I will crush you like a worm!"

  "Come, come, signor, why give way to such useless anger? It is not longsince Change. It is not my fault that you have been obliged to wait."

  "Have you not been going from tavern to tavern, gambling, as you have beendoing the last five days?"

  "Yes, truly. I was intolerably thirsty; but if I was not here in time, youmust blame the clock of Notre Dame; it could not have struck right, I amsure. So be calm, signor: you know that your anger makes no impression onme. Make haste and tell me what you want me to do. We lose precious timein this nonsensical sort of talk. I left some friends to come and receiveyour orders, and I must add that I intend returning to them as soon as Ihave fulfilled your commands. You need not shake your fist at me, nor getinto a passion; it will do no good."

  The disrespectful language of his servant wounded and provoked Turchi; butperhaps seeing how useless it was to give expression to his feelings, hesuddenly changed his manner. Tears filled his eyes; grief was depictedupon his countenance, and seating himself, he sighed and said:

  "Forgive me, Julio, for my harsh words; they were spoken in impatience. Itis too early yet for you to do what I wish, and I was wrong to complain ofyour long absence."

  The servant, surprised at his master's humble language, regarded himdistrustfully.

  "Is there any danger?" he demanded.

  Turchi took his hand, and said, piteously:

  "Alas! Julio, my friend, to-morrow, in all probability, we will be cast,manacled, into a dungeon, there to await an infamous death."

  "Is it not your own fear, signor, which inspires such a thought?" askedJulio, trembling.

  "No; I have heard a terrible piece of news. Geronimo was seen in theQuarter of the Jews, and he was met going towards the Hospital Grounds.The bailiff has determined to search to-morrow morning all the cellars inthat vicinity, and even to dig the ground on the spot where my gardenlies. The police agents are to proceed at daybreak to the Hospitalmeadows, and as they cannot fail to remark that the earth has been newlyturned up, they will certainly discover what they seek. You pushedGeronimo into the arm-chair; you buried his body; consequently you willaccompany me to the scaffold, unless, in your capacity of servant, theymay choose to hang you or break you on the wheel. O Julio! does not thisinformation awaken you to a sense of our perilous condition?"

  "From whom did you learn all that?" asked the affrighted servant.

  "From the bailiff himself."

  "From his own lips?"

  "Yes, my friend, from his own lips. In spite of your courage and coolness,I think I may say that you have no stronger desire than myself to die bythe hand of the executioner."

  Julio put his hand to his throat and said, dejectedly:

  "The
affair looks serious. I seem to be strangling; I feel the rope aroundmy neck. It is all your fault, signor. Why did you murder your bestfriend? Did I not warn you that so frightful a crime would come to light?"

  "Call it crime, if you will; but at least my just vengeance is satisfied,and now neither complaints nor recriminations can recall the past norshelter us from danger."

  "But, signor, what can we do to escape punishment?"

  "There is a means, easy and certain. There is a means; but, Julio, itrequires good will and resolution. May I rely upon you for this lasteffort?"

  "What would not one be willing to do in order to escape this gallows orthe wheel?"

  "Then listen to me. I told you that the bailiff would search the cellars.If he finds the corpse in my house, we are both ruined."

  "Certainly, signor."

  "But suppose it be found in another place, far from this spot, who wouldsuspect us of the murder?"

  "An excellent thought!" exclaimed Julio, joyfully. "We must carry the deadbody to a distant street and leave it there."

  "Not so. They would naturally suppose that it had been removed to thatspot from some other place. A better plan is to throw it into the sewer inthe Vleminck Field. The officers of justice will then conclude thatGeronimo fell under the hand of some unknown assassin."

  "That is still better! Ah! signor, you frightened me without cause. Iplace very little value on my life, and yet the thought of a certain deathshatters my nerves. Now I am myself again. But how shall we manage totransport Geronimo's body to the Vleminck Field?"

  "It was for that purpose, Julio, that I was waiting so impatiently foryou," said Simon Turchi; "it was because I needed your aid to execute aproject which will save us both. Nothing is easier. You will disinter thebody, and you will throw it into the sewer."[24]

  "Alone?" said the servant, in a tone which prognosticated a refusal.

  "Why not alone, since you are able to do it?"

  "It is very easy, signor, for you to say: 'Take the body on your shouldersand traverse three or four streets.' Signor Geronimo is heavier than yousuppose, and I doubt if by the exertion of all my strength I could carryit twenty steps."

  Simon Turchi took his servant's two hands in his, and said,supplicatingly:

  "Julio, my friend, be generous; it is not a difficult task for one likeyourself. Reflect that it is our only means of safety; it is as much foryour interest as mine. I will recompense you largely, and I will begrateful to you all my life."

  "Well, signor, if you say so, I will try it; but I am afraid it will turnout badly. I shall be obliged to rest on the way, and that will take moretime than will be prudent. And then how shall I be able each time toreplace the body on my shoulders? It requires two to transport it withsufficient rapidity."

  "Two?" said Turchi, "You know well that we can confide our secret to noone."

  "To escape death, one would submit to anything. Suppose you help meyourself, signor?"

  "I!" replied Turchi, shuddering, "I carry a dead body through the streets!I, a nobleman! No, no; better a dungeon and death!"

  "What a strange sentiment of honor!" muttered the astonished servant."Would to God, signor, that you had sooner remembered that you were anobleman, we would not thus be seeking, in mortal anguish, the means tosave our lives. Consider the affair as you will, you must confess that ifI carry the corpse alone, ten chances to one we shall be discovered."

  While the servant thus spoke, Turchi seemed preoccupied by torturingthoughts. After a moment he said, with a sigh:

  "Alas! there is no other means; it is dangerous, but necessity demands it.Julio, go to the summer-house, and I will send Bernardo this evening tohelp you."

  "What" said Julio, ironically, "will you reveal your secret?"

  "No; I will command him, under penalty of his life, to do whatever youorder him; threaten to stab him at the least show of resistance, and hewill obey you."

  "Impossible! Signor Bernardo is a good, pious man. He would inform uponus. I might as well put the halter around my neck. I will have none of hisaid."

  Simon Turchi, in despair at the failure of all his efforts to succeed inhis design, paced the floor impatiently. Suddenly he stopped before hisservant, 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 thedeath which menaces us. Stab Bernardo, and throw him into the sewer abovethe body of Geronimo."[25]

  "Oh, signor, murder Bernardo!" exclaimed Julio, in horror. "And do yousuppose that he would not defend himself? that he would not give thealarm? In that case, your servant would be recognized, and thus they wouldput them on the track of the criminals. Your mind wanders."

  Grinding his teeth in his agony, Turchi tossed his arms convulsively, andat last said, hoarsely:

  "You will not undertake it alone? You have not the wish to succeed. Cowardthat you are, for what are you fit but to boast and drink and gamble inthe taverns? Would that I had never seen you! Leave the corpse in thecellar; let the bailiff discover it there; we will see which of us willmeet the more courageously an infamous death!"

  A prey to the keenest emotion, he fell back in his chair, and whileuttering bitter invectives against his servant, he tore his hair in realor feigned despair.

  The sight of-his master's desolation seemed to make some impression uponJulio; he regarded him compassionately, and at last said, kindly:

  "Come, signor, calm yourself. All is not lost, and if my good-will cansave you, I will show you that Julio has the courage and resolution tocarry him through a difficult enterprise. Since you think I am able totake the corpse alone to the sewer, I will attempt it. Perhaps I mayoverrate the difficulties. Be calm, and rely upon my word."

  The signor knew that once having made up his mind, his servant wouldunhesitatingly execute what he had undertaken, and he comprehended by hismanner 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 willreward 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 appearanceof the earth having been recently dug."

  Julio apparently let his master's words fall unheeded on his ear; hesuddenly struck his forehead with his fist, as if an unwelcome idea hadforced itself upon him.

  "What is the matter?" asked Turchi, anxiously.

  "Fool that I am!" exclaimed Julio.

  "Speak lower," said Simon. "What troubles you?"

  "Did you not notice, signor, how bright it was last night? It is clearweather, and the moon is full! How could I carry a dead body to the sewerwith such light to betray me? It is impossible; I cannot think of it."

  These words forced from Simon a cry of anguish. He seemed crushed underthe fate which was visibly pursuing him. The cowardice and ill-will of hisservant had not cast him into despair like this last obstacle; for he wellknew that either by threats or promises of reward he could overcomeJulio's resistance; but what could prevent the moon from shining? It wasclear that no way remained of removing Geronimo's body from the cellar,and the officers of the law would infallibly discover where the murder hadbeen committed.

  It was then true that for him there was no escape from ruin; that amysterious power opposed all his plans; perhaps God himself wasinterposing to prevent him from saving his life.

  The supposition made him shudder; nevertheless he tortured his mind todiscover some plank of safety; a thousand tumultuous thoughts presentedthemselves. Might they not bury the body in a retired spot of the garden,plunge it in the basin of the fountain, or conceal it under the stones ofthe grotto? But none of these plans could be accomplished without leavingtraces which would lead to certain discovery.

  Suddenly a happy idea seemed to occur to him, f
or his face brightened; hearose and said:

  "Julio, you must leave the country; it is your only means of safety."

  "I leave the country!" said Julio; "and you, signor?"

  "Would that I could accompany you! but I cannot say as you can: 'Where mybody is, there is all I have and all I care for.' I must of necessityremain here: I have many interests to detain me."

  Julio was astonished by the advice.

  "Where shall I go? In Italy a price is set upon my head; I dare not beseen beyond the mountains. It is too late for me to leave for England;there are no vessels ready to sail. What could I do in Germany, ignorantof the language of the country and without means of subsistence?"

  "Save your life, Julio; go to Germany," said Turchi. "I will give youmoney, plenty of money."

  The deep red of the scar on his master's face, his expression of cunning,his evident satisfaction, made Julio suspect some deception. He wasunable at first to imagine his secret design; but a light suddenly brokeupon his mind, and recoiling with horror and anger, he exclaimed:

  "What an odious trap you are setting for me! You intend to accuse me ofthe murder in my absence? And while poor Julio, charged with a doublecrime, finds no resting-spot upon earth, you will enjoy here in entiresecurity, in the midst of wealth and honor, the price of the innocentblood which you have shed. No, no, I will bring no new anathema on myhead."

  "You are silly, Julio," said Simon Turchi, disdainfully. "Should we bearrested to-morrow, and the truth known, would you not be equally punishedfor having treacherously pushed Geronimo into the chair?"

  "Yes; but all would know that I neither conceived the crime, nor profitedby its commission."

  "A fine consolation, to contend on the scaffold!" said the signorironically, repressing his impatience. "But I will speak to you plainlyand without reserve. I will state my conditions; if you refuse them, thenall is at an end between us. Each of us is at liberty to save himself evenat the sacrifice of the other. The worst part of the whole is that I mightfeel myself obliged, for my own security, to make known to the authoritiesof Lucca who you are."

  The servant regarded his master with an expression of disgust andaversion.

  "These are my conditions," said Simon. "You will leave immediately forGermany, and reach the Rhine as soon as possible. I will give you twohundred crowns. Procure a carriage and horse at the very first village,and do not stop until you are in a place of safety. To prevent anydetention on the way, I will give you a letter to Signor Mazzuchelli, abanker at Cologne. If on the journey you are asked why you have undertakenit, say that you are on urgent business for your master, and if necessityrequire it, show the letter; but once in Cologne, do not present theletter to Mazzuchelli. Two hundred crowns! that is a fortune, Julio. Withthat you can live luxuriously for two or three years. And what differencewill it make whether you know the language of the country or not. Moneyunderstands and speaks all languages."[26]

  "And when the two hundred crowns are spent, what will become of me?" saidthe servant.

  "I will not forsake you, Julio," said Turchi. "Whenever you need money,inform me of it, and I will send you enough to keep you from want. But youmust change your name and simply notify me that you need money to continueyour business. And your new name? It seems to me that 'Marco Castagno'would answer. What say you?"

  Julio shook his head doubtfully, muttering between his teeth. Although thepromise of two hundred crowns was seductive, he hesitated to accept hismaster's proposition.

  "Why deliberate so long?" said Simon. "I offer you a certain means ofescaping the gallows, and you hesitate! Moreover, I secure you a life ofease, independent, without cares, the free, joyous life of a lord, and yetyou refuse."

  Julio seemed to have come to a decision.

  "Will you give me two hundred crowns?" he demanded.

  "Two hundred crowns in coin."

  "Before my departure?"

  "Immediately."

  "Give them to me. I am in a hurry to depart."

  "I will go for them," said Turchi, leaving the room.

  Julio seated himself and rested his head upon his hands. But he had notlong for reflection; his master returned after a short absence.

  Simon Turchi held a purse in his hands. He went to the table and countedout four piles of gold pieces.

  The sight of so much money made an impression on Julio, and he approachedthe table. Joy sparkled in his eyes, and whilst he contemplated theshining pieces, he nodded his head with an air of satisfaction.

  "You see," said Simon, "that the sum is correct, and you will not find thegold heavy to carry. Now put it in your doublet. Going down stairs Ireflected upon your good-will, and I considered whether I might not avoidaccusing you of the murder of Geronimo, and my friendship for yousuggested a means. Now that I am sure of being able, under anycircumstances, of exculpating myself, it is not necessary for me to bringany accusation against you. Besides, Julio, I dislike to be separated fromyou. If in two or three months I could bring you back without danger, Iwould be delighted."

  "I would be well pleased, signor," said Julio, with a sigh.

  "In order to secure this chance to ourselves, Julio, you must, beforeleaving, go to the country-house, level, as far as possible, the earth inthe cellar, throw sand and dust upon the grave, and then fill the cellarwith fire-wood and empty casks."

  "But, signor, that would take time."

  "That is of no consequence. At this hour there are too many people passingthrough the city gates. It is better for you to pass the night at thepavilion, and to-morrow morning, as soon as the gates are open, you willleave. At daybreak you will be certain of meeting no one who would noticewhat direction you had taken. I suggest this for your own sake, Julio, notmine; for suppose the officers of the law should search my summer-house,those precautions would divert their attentions from the cellar, whileotherwise they would infallibly discover that the earth had been recentlydug. Perhaps, through respect for me, the bailiff may exempt my lands fromsearch. In either case I will wait until the impression made by the murderhas worn away. I will say nothing of you, except that you left me inconsequence of a sharp rebuke, and that I do not know what has become ofyou. As soon as the present excitement subsides and the search isabandoned, I promise to recall you. Now will you go to the pavilion andaccomplish faithfully what I advise?"

  "I will."

  "Do not forget your new name."

  "Marco Castagno? It is easily remembered."

  "Yes; Marco Castagno, and you are travelling on business. I had nearlyforgotten the letter of recommendation. Wait here an instant; do not comedown-stairs. I will write it at once."

  When Julio was left alone he put his hand in his pocket, chinked the goldcoins, and drew out a handful for the pleasure of contemplating them; buthe soon returned the money to his doublet, and fell into deep thought.

  "If," he muttered, "I could only set off at once! Here I am obliged topass a whole night in that accursed pavilion! The signor thinks thatGeronimo has been buried for five days, and his corpse is still aboveground. To fill up the grave is not much. Suppose I let that alone, andleave this evening with the money? No, no; I will execute faithfully whatI promised. My master is so generous to me, I will show him that I am notungrateful."

  "Here is the letter of recommendation," said Simon Turchi, entering theroom. "It is in the name of Marco Castagno. Forget your other names, andbe prudent, remembering that the least indiscretion might cost our lives.Go to the pavilion, Julio. I bid you adieu, with the hope of soon seeingyou again at Antwerp."

  "Shall I not take my clothes, signor, or a traveling cloak?"

  "No; the cloak you have on will suffice. Were you seen with any baggage,your intention might be suspected. Appear indifferent. You can buywhatever you may need."

  The servant extended his hand to his master, and going to the door, said:

  "Adieu, signor; if you do not refuse to aid me when I am in want, I willkeep your secret faithfully."

  "Do your work in the cel
lar carefully, Julio. I wish you a pleasantjourney."

  Julio descended the staircase and walked slowly down the street.

  His master opened the window and watched him until he was out of sight.

  Simon Turchi drew a long breath, as though the weight of a mountain hadbeen removed from his heart. A smile lighted up his face, and he said inan accent of intense joy:

  "He has gone! Now I have nothing to fear. The bailiff may find the body;Julio committed the crime; I know nothing of it; I am as innocent as alamb. Ah! I thought I was lost. Now I must arrange my plans as though Iwere certain of the discovery of the body. I feel new strength; hope andcertainty animate my heart. Mary, Mary, your name, your fortune, your lovewill be mine. My life will yet be crowned with grandeur, wealth, andhappiness."

  And in feverish excitement he closed the window.