Bernardo listened to this recital with an incredulous smile. When it was
concluded, he silently shook his head.
"Well! what have you to say of this adventure?" asked Julio. "Might it not
be narrated in the chronicles as an heroic adventure?"
"Certainly; in your place many others would have died of fright. But this
morning I saw this Bufferio, whom you declare to be dead, walking alive in
the public square."
"Impossible; you are mistaken."
"Perhaps so; but I know the ruffian well, for I have twice seen him in the
pillory."
"If he is not dead, he will certainly not be able to make his appearance
in the streets for six months to come."
"Of course, you took your money from Bufferio?"
"How could I?"
"Since he lay lifeless at your feet, why did you not recover the money he
had stolen from you?"
The red-haired man was at a loss for an answer; but after awhile he
stammered out: "You are right. In the hurry of the struggle I did not
think of it, and then I had not the time: the watchmen ran on hearing the
noise of the affray, and you may imagine that I did not care to fall into
the hands of the bailiff."
"I do not understand you; it seems to me you mentioned having remained a
quarter of an hour upon the spot," said Bernardo, with a slight smile. "I
suppose, Julio, there was much blood shed."
"It flowed in torrents."
Bernardo eyed his companion from head to foot in great surprise.
"I would like to ask you something, but you might not understand the joke,
and you would be angry with me," he said.
"Say candidly what you think," replied his companion.
"I am extremely surprised, Julio, that there is not the smallest drop of
blood, not the least spot, upon your clothes. With your permission, I will
say you dreamed all that?"
Julio sprang from his seat, gnashed his teeth, and looked at his
companion as if ready to devour him.
"What! you dare to laugh at me? Are you then tired of life? Fool! were I
only to lay my hand upon you, you would be crushed to atoms."
Bernardo arose also, and said, in a tone half ironical and half
supplicating: "Pardon me, Julio; I believe all you told me, and I never
doubted your marvellous courage. If sometimes I laugh at serious things,
do not be offended; this kind of joking is usual with men."