He extinguished the lamp, and hastily traversed the garden.

CHAPTER X.

SIMON TURCHI’S ALARM—­CRIME BEGETS CRIME.

Some time after the hour of Change, Simon Turchi had returned home, and was apparently preparing to go out again, for he had changed his doublet for one of a darker color, and his cloak lay on a chair beside him.

The signor was in high spirits; he carried his head proudly, a radiant smile illumined his countenance, and from time to time he rubbed his hands with an air of triumph.  Julio had left for Germany!  Nothing could have prevented his departure, for he had not been seen in the city.  Simon Turchi has therefore no cause for fear, for if, contrary to expectation, his garden be searched and the corpse of Geronimo be discovered, the murder could easily be fastened upon Julio.

Already, by vague remarks to his servants and acquaintances, Turchi had prepared the way for making the accusation in case of necessity.  He had exhibited great anxiety at Julio’s absence the night before and during that day.  He said that he had sharply reproved his servant for his dissipated habits and his neglect of duty.  Julio had left him in evident anger.

The servants, who could not comprehend their master’s anxiety, thought that he might be in some tavern, drowning his feelings with drink and awaiting the night to return home.  To this Turchi answered that he had remarked for some time Julio’s strange manner, that he seemed so absent-minded, was often heard to sigh and weep—­in a word, something weighty appeared pressing on his conscience.

Early in the morning he sent Bernardo to the pavilion to see if Julio were there.  Bernardo reported that there was no evidence of his having been there, except two empty bottles upon a table.  Simon pretended that he had the bottles placed in the room, and Bernardo thought no more of the affair.

Simon Turchi would have satisfied himself by personal examination if Julio had thoroughly performed his work before his departure, but he feared to excite attention by his appearance in that direction; or, perhaps, he might even be obliged to assist at the search of his garden, should the bailiff refuse to exempt it.  He determined to go to the cellar at nightfall, when the search must be interrupted, to examine the arrangements made by Julio.  When therefore twilight was commencing to replace the glare of day, and Simon was certain of not meeting the officers of the law, he threw his cloak around his shoulders, turned with a light step and joyous heart the corner of the street, and took the direction to the square of Meir.

He had gone but a short distance, when he met Messire John Van Schoonhoven.

A smile lighted up Turchi’s countenance.  He was delighted to be accidentally brought into the bailiff’s company, as he would thus learn the result of the researches already made.