"Why not alone, since you are able to do it?"
"It is very easy, signor, for you to say: 'Take the body on your shoulders
and traverse three or four streets.' Signor Geronimo is heavier than you
suppose, and I doubt if by the exertion of all my strength I could carry
it 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 like
yourself. Reflect that it is our only means of safety; it is as much for
your interest as mine. I will recompense you largely, and I will be
grateful to you all my life."
"Well, signor, if you say so, I will try it; but I am afraid it will turn
out badly. I shall be obliged to rest on the way, and that will take more
time than will be prudent. And then how shall I be able each time to
replace the body on my shoulders? It requires two to transport it with
sufficient rapidity."
"Two?" said Turchi, "You know well that we can confide our secret to no
one."
"To escape death, one would submit to anything. Suppose you help me
yourself, 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 a
nobleman, we would not thus be seeking, in mortal anguish, the means to
save our lives. Consider the affair as you will, you must confess that if
I carry the corpse alone, ten chances to one we shall be discovered."
While the servant thus spoke, Turchi seemed preoccupied by torturing
thoughts. 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 to
help you."
"What" said Julio, ironically, "will you reveal your secret?"
"No; I will command him, under penalty of his life, to do whatever you
order him; threaten to stab him at the least show of resistance, and he
will obey you."
"Impossible! Signor Bernardo is a good, pious man. He would inform upon
us. I might as well put the halter around my neck. I will have none of his
aid."