down the street.

His master opened the window and watched him until he was out of sight.

Simon Turchi drew a long breath, as though the weight of a mountain had
been removed from his heart. A smile lighted up his face, and he said in
an accent of intense joy:

"He has gone! Now I have nothing to fear. The bailiff may find the body;
Julio committed the crime; I know nothing of it; I am as innocent as a
lamb. Ah! I thought I was lost. Now I must arrange my plans as though I
were certain of the discovery of the body. I feel new strength; hope and
certainty animate my heart. Mary, Mary, your name, your fortune, your love
will be mine. My life will yet be crowned with grandeur, wealth, and
happiness."

And in feverish excitement he closed the window.

CHAPTER IX.

GERONIMO RESURRECTED.

The clock in the steeple of Saint George struck seven, and night was
coming on, when Julio opened the garden-gate of his master's country-seat
and walked with a light step towards the house.

He kept one hand wrapped in his cloak, as if to conceal some object; the
other was in his pocket, turning over the gold pieces given him by Simon
Turchi. Joy sparkled in his eyes, as he said to himself:

"God be praised! I resisted the temptation. They urged me to drink and
play at the 'Swan,' but my gold coins reminded me that I had a serious
duty to perform. After work comes the recompense. What I hold in my hand
will indemnify me for the thirst I have suffered and for the time lost. It
is the very best Spanish wine--as dear as if it were melted silver, and as
strong as if it were liquid fire."

On entering a room in the house, he drew two bottles from his doublet and
one from under his cloak, placed them upon the table, and looked at them
longingly.

"No, no, not now; presently! Business first. Your bewitching smile cannot
seduce me. Patience, my friends; an hour hence we will become acquainted.
To fill up a grave and roll some empty casks into the cellar is a small
matter. But it is getting so dark that I can no longer distinguish the
image of the emperor on the gold pieces; I must light the lamp."

Taking a wooden box from the mantelpiece, he drew out a flint and struck
it. It was some time before the tinder took fire, and Julio laughed at his
own failures; but at last he succeeded in his efforts, and a large lamp
made the whole room bright with its rays.

Julio approached the table and said:

"Now at least I can gratify t