efore accepting them. Fear nothing, you shall be
fully satisfied."

"Well, I will go. After Change, between five and six o'clock, will that
answer?"

"It makes no difference to me, provided I know the hour beforehand."

"Expect me, then, to-morrow, between five and six o'clock. But let us
return to the house. Our long absence might cause remark."

Simon Turchi arose, but remained standing in the same spot, and said:

"Geronimo, I have promised the merchant that none but yourself shall know
of his presence in Antwerp. Say nothing, therefore, to your uncle, to
Mary, nor to any one else. The least indiscretion might disarrange our
plans, and be perilous to the stranger. Come alone, without any
attendant."

"I will do as you direct," said Geronimo, "but it will be impossible for
me to remain until dark. My uncle will be seriously displeased if I go out
again at night without a sufficient guard."

"I will not detain you over half an hour."

At that moment a servant from the house entered the garden looking for
Geronimo.

"Signor Geronimo," he said, "Mr. Van de Werve is inquiring for you, as
Miss Van de Werve is about to retire from the company, and Signor Deodati
wishes to return home. He is awaiting you."

The two gentlemen followed the servant; on the way, Turchi again said in a
low voice:

"To-morrow, between the hours of five and six."

The old Deodati was already at the door with five or six attendants. He
was displeased by the long absence of his nephew, and was about to
remonstrate with him. But, by Turchi's explanation, this want of attention
was pardoned, and he was even permitted to bid a hasty adieu to Mary and
her father.

He returned almost immediately, and offering his arm to his uncle, he
left Mr. Van de Werve's house.

As he moved on, Simon Turchi glanced at him entreatingly, as if to insist
upon secrecy.

CHAPTER VI.

SIMON TURCHI WREAKS HIS VENGEANCE ON GERONIMO.

It was about five o'clock in the afternoon. Julio was seated in one of the
rooms of his master's dwelling, his arms crossed upon his breast. Absorbed
in deep thought, he had his eyes fixed on an arm-chair which stood near
the only window in the room, and from time to time he shook his head with
an expression of anxious doubt.

The footsteps of a man in the room above interrupted his reflections; an
ironical smile passed over his features as he muttered:

"He calls me a coward, the dastard that he is! For one hour h