Geronimo, the watchmen, and Julio soon reached the residence of Mr. Van de
Werve. He knocked, and was immediately admitted.
The young gentleman again thanked Julio with the liveliest gratitude for
his assistance, and promised to tell his master how courageously he had
acted, and the eminent services he had rendered him.
Julio bade adieu, and hastened to his master's dwelling. He was about to
knock, but, to his great terror, the door was opened at once, as though
some one were waiting for him.
"Is it you, Julio?" asked a man, in the darkness.
The servant recognized his master's voice, and entered the door.
"Well," said he, in a stifled tone, "is he dead?"
"Who?"
"Who! Geronimo?"
"On the contrary, Bufferio is dead. Geronimo ran him through the body."
"Then you have not the pocket-book?"
"Certainly not."
"And the gold crowns?"
"I gave them to Bufferio."
"Pietro Mostajo, you have betrayed me!" hissed the infuriated signor in
the ear of his servant, shaking him convulsively by the arm. "Tell me
quickly what has happened! Tremble, stupid coward! the Superintendent of
Lucca shall know who you are!"
"Ebbene che sia!" answered Julio. "Then the Signor Geronimo shall also
know who hired Bufferio to assassinate him."
A hoarse cry like a stifled groan resounded through the vestibule. The
door was closed.