“God grant that the frightful news may not afflict you as it did me!  Listen! you know that two days ago my servant Julio left my service because I severely reproved his irregularities.  This disquieted me, because I had noticed that he was pursued by some secret remorse.  Just now, hardly a half hour ago, I left my residence, and was going towards the Dominican church to pray for my poor friend.  On the way I thought of my servant Julio, and feared that in his despair he might have taken his life.  When I was near the bridge, I heard my own name timidly pronounced.  I turned and saw Julio.  I commenced to reproach him with his absence, but putting his finger on his lips, he whispered: 

“‘Signor, I beg you to follow me; I have a secret to reveal to you.’

“His manner and tone of voice were so peculiar that I accompanied him to a retired spot.  His revelation caused me such intense grief that I could hardly stand, and I was obliged to support myself against the wall as I received the confession of the penitent assassin.”

A cry of horror escaped Deodati.  Eager to hear the remainder, Mr. Van de Werve gazed fixedly upon the narrator.  The bailiff was more calm—­he listened attentively and nodded his head, as if he foresaw the conclusion of Turchi’s narrative.

“I hardly dare continue,” he said.  “My soul revolts—­but I must disregard my feelings,” and in a more tranquil manner, he resumed: 

“Shuddering with horror, I heard Julio say: 

“’Master, I have committed a frightful murder.  Remorse pursues me as a malediction from God.  I shall put an end to my guilty life.  In an hour I shall be in eternal torments, but I wish the body of my victim to be buried in holy ground.  Go to your pavilion.  In the lowest cellar, at the extremity of the subterranean passage, you will find the corpse of Signor Geronimo buried.’”

Tears fell fast from the eyes of Signor Deodati, and sobs convulsed his frame.

Turchi continued: 

“‘Signor Geronimo!’ I exclaimed, in terror.  ’Have you killed my poor friend?’

“’Yes, I put to death Signor Geronimo.  I needed money to spend at the taverns, and you would not give it to me.  I killed him in order to get the money he might have about him.  Adieu!  This very day all will be over with me.’  Before I had sufficiently recovered from the shock to think of seizing Julio, he had disappeared.  Probably, to-day—­”

“Heavens!” exclaimed Simon Turchi, “I hear Miss Van de Werve.”

“For the love of God, not a word in her presence,” said Mr. Van de Werve.

Mary entered the room, looking around anxiously.  She had seen the officers at the door, and she seemed to inquire of her father the cause of their presence.

She remarked her father’s pallor and embarrassment.  Simon Turchi looked down, as if in despair.  Deodati covered his face with his hands.

A cry of anguish escaped the young girl, and she glanced in turns at her father, Deodati, Turchi, and the bailiff; but they each seemed anxious to avoid her eye.