By chance his eye fell upon the two bottles which he had placed upon the
table, and as if the sight had inspired him with a sudden resolution, he
seized one of the bottles, uncorked it, and putting it to his lips, drank
a long draught, stopped a moment for breath, then emptied the bottle.
He remained some time immovable as if to test the influence of the wine on
his mind, swallowed half of the second bottle, drew his dagger, took the
lamp, and descended the stairs, saying: "Now my courage will not fail me! No more words: a single blow and all
will be over! I must strike him in the back; he wears a cuirass on his
breast."
Opening the door of the cellar, he placed the lamp on the ground without
speaking, and raising his dagger, he walked directly towards Geronimo, who
lifted his hands imploringly.
Within a few steps of his victim, Julio, with an exclamation of surprise,
stopped suddenly as if immovable. His eye fell upon an object which
Geronimo held in his hand and extended to him, as though it had power to
turn aside the mortal blow.
It was a flat copper medal, in the centre of which was a cross and other
emblems, and attached to it was a bright steel chain.
Julio, forgetful of what he was about to do, sprang forward, seized the
strange medal, examined it closely, and said, in astonishment: "This amulet in your hands, signor! What does it mean? How came you by
it?"
Geronimo, whose every thought was fixed upon death, was too much startled
by the sudden transition to reply immediately.
"Speak, tell me whence comes this amulet? Who gave it to you?"
"From Africa--from a blind woman," answered Geronimo, almost
unintelligibly.
"In Africa? And the woman's name?" said Julio, beside himself with
impatience.
"Mostajo. Teresa Mostajo!"
"Teresa Mostajo! You are then the liberator of my poor blind mother!"
"Then you will spare my life! God of mercy, I thank thee, there is still
hope!"
But Julio heeded not the words of the young man.
"This amulet," he said, "recalls my native village. I see again my father,
mother, friends. I see myself as I was before dissipation led me to sin
and vice. This amulet, brought by my grandfather from Jerusalem, protected
my father against many dangers, saved my mother's life; and you, signor,
you owe to the same amulet escape from a violent death, for it turned
aside my master's dagger from your breast. Strange and mysterious power
which thus shields the victim from his executioner!"