plaintive tone.

Simon seized his servant by the arm, shook him violently, and whispered
hoarsely in his ear: "Pietro Mostajo, remember the superintendent of
Lucca!"

Julio, as if stupefied, said not a word.

Simon arose and walked towards the door, saying: "It is well; I will go
and deliver you up to justice."

The terrified servant sprang after him, retained him, and said,
supplicatingly: "I submit myself to your will, and accept the fate I
cannot escape. I have never before committed a murder; you take his blood
upon yourself, do you not, signor? Tell me when I must accomplish this
horrible crime."

"This very day, Julio."

"To-day?--so soon?"

"To-morrow would be too late."

"Well, command; the sooner the better."

"To-day is the eve of May. Geronimo intends to serenade Miss Van de Werve.
Only two lute-players will attend him. He invited me to accompany him. I
will go to bed at the factory under pretence of indisposition; all the
servants will know that I have not left my dwelling. Do you put on the old
Spanish cape which has been laid aside for five years; no one will then
recognize you. You must be in Hoboken Street, near the Dominican Convent,
before eleven o'clock. There is at that spot a well which Geronimo must
pass both in going and returning. Hide behind the well until Geronimo
approaches, then rush upon him and deal him a fatal blow; strike several
times. The lute-players are cowards, and they will run away. Take from the
dead body of Geronimo a pocket-book which you will find in a pocket on the
left side of his doublet; there is in this pocket-book a writing which he
took from me by a cheat. Leave the spot after having accomplished this,
and return by the darkest streets; you will not be discovered. Above all,
do not forget the pocket-book."

Julio's countenance expressed stupefaction and terror. During the
development of the frightful plot he kept his eyes fixed on his master's
lips, and he continued to stare at him without moving.

"Well," asked his master, "is not the project cunningly devised?"

"It is astonishing, astonishing!" stammered the servant, lowering his
eyes.

"You are ready, I suppose, to strike the blow? But why do you hesitate?
Are you afraid?"

"No, no; but let me reflect a moment," said Julio.

After a few minutes of silence, he looked at his master, and said:

"With your permission, signor, I will say that the plan, as you have
arranged it, appears to me to be fra