“Signor Geronimo, be pleased to interrupt for a moment the expression of your happiness.  By the authority of the law I ask you what has happened, and why you stigmatize the Signor Turchi as an assassin.  Approach, and obey my order.”

Turchi, foreseeing that his frightful crime was about to be revealed, writhed convulsively and was covered with shame and confusion.  He dared not look upon his accuser.

“Declare the truth,” ordered the bailiff.

“Five or six weeks ago,” said Geronimo, “Simon Turchi told me that unforeseen circumstances made it an imperative necessity for him to raise the sum of ten thousand crowns, adding that if he did not succeed in obtaining it immediately, the credit of his house would be gone, and that he himself would be irretrievably ruined.  He needed the sum, he said, only for one month.  I lent him the ton thousand crowns, and at his earnest solicitation, in order to conceal the knowledge of this loan from the clerks, I made no entry upon the books of the transaction, but was satisfied with an acknowledgment in writing of the debt.”

Old Deodati made an exclamation of joy, ran to his nephew, and embraced him affectionately.

“God be praised!  Dear Geronimo, you restore me to life.  That wicked man tried to persuade me that you had lost ten thousand crowns at play.  You were too virtuous, too grateful for that, my beloved boy!”

“Observe the respect due the law, Signor Deodati.  Continue your statement, Signor Geronimo.”

“What an odious falsehood!” said the young man.

Then turning to the bailiff, he continued: 

“When we last met in this house, Signor Turchi told me that a foreign merchant, who wished to remain unknown, would repay me the ten thousand crowns.  I was to go to his country-house alone, and secretly to return the note I held, and receive reliable bills of exchange upon Italy.  When I went, Julio, Simon Turchi’s servant, pushed me into a chair prepared as a trap, in which my body was caught and held immovable by steel springs.  Then Simon entered with a dagger in his hand; he took from me the note, and destroyed it in my presence.  He attempted to stab me in the breast, but the blow was warded off by a copper amulet which I wore around my neck.  I then received in my neck what I considered a mortal wound; I felt my blood flowing freely, and I bade, as I supposed, an eternal adieu to life.”

Old Deodati, without being aware of it, had drawn his sword from the scabbard as if he were about to pierce Turchi to the heart; but he was restrained by a look of severity from the bailiff, although he continued playing with the hilt, and muttering in an undertone menaces against the murderer.