CHAPTER X.
SIMON TURCHI'S ALARM--CRIME BEGETS CRIME.
Some time after the hour of Change, Simon Turchi had returned home, andwas apparently preparing to go out again, for he had changed his doubletfor 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 radiantsmile illumined his countenance, and from time to time he rubbed his handswith an air of triumph. Julio had left for Germany! Nothing could haveprevented his departure, for he had not been seen in the city. SimonTurchi has therefore no cause for fear, for if, contrary to expectation,his garden be searched and the corpse of Geronimo be discovered, themurder could easily be fastened upon Julio.
Already, by vague remarks to his servants and acquaintances, Turchi hadprepared the way for making the accusation in case of necessity. He hadexhibited great anxiety at Julio's absence the night before and duringthat day. He said that he had sharply reproved his servant for hisdissipated habits and his neglect of duty. Julio had left him in evidentanger.
The servants, who could not comprehend their master's anxiety, thoughtthat he might be in some tavern, drowning his feelings with drink andawaiting the night to return home. To this Turchi answered that he hadremarked for some time Julio's strange manner, that he seemed soabsent-minded, was often heard to sigh and weep--in a word, somethingweighty appeared pressing on his conscience.
Early in the morning he sent Bernardo to the pavilion to see if Julio werethere. Bernardo reported that there was no evidence of his having beenthere, except two empty bottles upon a table. Simon pretended that he hadthe bottles placed in the room, and Bernardo thought no more of theaffair.
Simon Turchi would have satisfied himself by personal examination if Juliohad thoroughly performed his work before his departure, but he feared toexcite attention by his appearance in that direction; or, perhaps, hemight even be obliged to assist at the search of his garden, should thebailiff refuse to exempt it. He determined to go to the cellar atnightfall, when the search must be interrupted, to examine thearrangements made by Julio. When therefore twilight was commencing toreplace the glare of day, and Simon was certain of not meeting theofficers of the law, he threw his cloak around his shoulders, turned witha light step and joyous heart the corner of the street, and took thedirection to the square of Meir.
He had gone but a short distance, when he met Messire John VanSchoonhoven.
A smile lighted up Turchi's countenance. He was delighted to beaccidentally brought into the bailiff's company, as he would thus learnthe result of the researches already made.
After a polite salutation, Messire Van Schoonhoven said:
"I am happy to meet you. I was on my way to your house."
"To my house?" said Turchi. "Have you news of my friend?"
"No, signor; I wish to see you concerning an affair which, although notserious, necessitates a conversation with you. I would have spoken to youon this subject this evening when at Mr. Van de Werve's, but the place wasinappropriate to such discussions."
"Return then with me," stammered Turchi, with ill-disguised anxiety.
"Where were you going, signor?" said the bailiff.
"I was going to take a walk along the Scheldt, in order to seek somediversion to the grief I feel for the disappearance of the unfortunateGeronimo."
"What I have to say, signor, need not interfere with your walk. I willaccompany you a part of the way and enjoy with you the evening breeze."
The bailiff turned and walked by Turchi's side.
Looking around, to assure himself that they were not overheard, MessireVan Schoonhoven said:
"The affair in question would not require so many precautions were I notbailiff and you my friend. But in consequence of these two reasons, mymission becomes painful, and I must claim in advance your forbearance. Youknow that my agents are searching every house, building, and garden in thevicinity of the Hospital Grounds where Geronimo was last seen. Thegreatest part of this quarter has been carefully examined without anyresult."
Simon Turchi perfectly understood the bailiff's design, and although hisheart beat painfully, he mastered his emotion, and said in an indifferenttone:
"And you think, Messire Van Schoonhoven, that my garden should be searchedin like manner? It is very natural. No one is above the law--the knightand the peasant are there equal."
"Believe me, signor, that the thought of so disrespectful a conducttowards an honorable nobleman, and that nobleman my friend for years,would never have occurred to me. But the search became a necessity withoutany fault of mine. The presence of at least twenty of my agents in thatquarter attracted the curious. A crowd followed those engaged in thesearch, and when it was noticed that your summer-house was the only oneexempted, the magistrates were openly accused of injustice. The peoplewere told that this was done by my order; but so great was the commotionthat the affair reached the ears of the burgomaster and the constables,and these gentlemen waited on me, urging me to visit your garden likewise,so as to remove all cause of complaint."
"This explanation is wholly unnecessary, at least as far as regardsmyself," interrupted Simon Turchi. "I desire you to search mycountry-house as you do all the other dwellings in the vicinity."
They were not far from the bridge of Meir, and they ceased speaking, as inso frequented a place they were in danger of being overheard. Farther on,Turchi said:
"I acknowledge, however, that I am hurt and irritated by the disrespectand audacity of the populace. One might be tempted to suppose that theyconsidered me capable of killing my best friend! My blood boils at theidea of such a suspicion!"
Simon gladly availed himself of the opportunity thus offered ofattributing to a just indignation the cruel anxiety which tortured him. Hehad anticipated the announcement just made him by the bailiff, and inconsequence had taken suitable measures to screen himself in case ofdiscovery; but now a terrible doubt as to the result of the search, and asto the confidence which might be reposed in his statements, arose in hismind. The least unforeseen accident, the slightest oversight in hisarrangement, might be his ruin.
"It is scandalous!" he exclaimed, shaking his fist. "To express publiclythe opinion that a nobleman could so far degrade himself as to become asecret assassin! I will know who my insolent calumniators are, and I willthen see if justice has power at Antwerp to protect an innocent strangeragainst the defamation of the people!"
"Calm yourself, signor," said Messire Van Schoonhoven; "I comprehend yourwell-founded indignation; but you are mistaken if you think theperquisition ordered by the burgomaster and constables be, in your regard,aught but a condescension to the clamors of the multitude. As for myself,I beg you not to be displeased with me for accomplishing my duty."
"You need offer no excuse, messire," said Simon, speaking more calmly. "Itis but proper and natural to search my garden. I am irritated solely bythe insolence of the people. Do your duty, and continue to honor me with afriendship of which I am proud, and of which I will always strive to beworthy."
"When will it be convenient to you, Signor Turchi, to have the officersvisit your house?" asked the bailiff.
"The time is perfectly indifferent to me."
"But appoint an hour; I would regret causing you any inconvenience ortrouble."
Simon Turchi reflected a moment, and said:
"To-morrow morning urgent affairs demand my attention; come then aboutnoon."
"Suppose we say two o'clock?"
"Very well; between two and three."
"I will call for you to accompany me, signor. Do not be disturbed by thisdomiciliary visit; it implies no suspicion, but, as I said before, it is asimple condescension to the populace. Shall I have the honor of meetingyou this evening at the house of Mr. Van de Werve?"
"I do not know, messire. Mary's excessive grief affects me so much that ithaunts me day and night. Would that I could offer the least consolation tothe afflicted young girl! But of what use is it to mingle my tears withhers, when there
is no ray of hope to illumine the darkness of herdespair?"
Messire Van Schoonhoven pressed Simon's hand.
"Your sincere friendship for Geronimo does you honor, signor," he said."Were he your own brother, you could not be more deeply grieved. And howgreat is your generosity! Geronimo was your friend, but he was at the sametime an obstacle to the accomplishment of the dearest wish of your heart.Through affection for him you have sacrificed your fondest hopes ofhappiness. But the inexplicable disappearance of Geronimo spreads outbefore you a brighter future. Time will alleviate the bitterness of Mary'ssorrow, and who so well as yourself, signor, could restore her tohappiness--you who possess her father's confidence and esteem?"
"Speak not of such things," said Simon. "I would gladly yield all thehappiness the future might have in store for me to see my friend once moreunharmed. But alas! alas!"
"That does not prevent me, signor, from cherishing the hope that, ifGeronimo is really dead, you may one day receive the reward of yoursincere friendship and your magnanimous generosity. To-morrow at twoo'clock! May God be with you, signor!"
"And may He protect you, messire!"
Simon Turchi watched him until he was lost to sight, and then glancedaround in order to note the degree of darkness. He drew his cloak closelyaround him, and walked rapidly down a side street, which soon brought himbefore the gate of his own garden. Unlocking the door, he traversed thewalk rendered almost invisible by the darkness.
Beaching the house, he lighted a lamp and ascended the stairs to a room,which, in better times, he was accustomed to use as a bed-room, whenoccasionally he passed the night at the pavilion.
Casting his cloak upon a chair, he seated himself near a table, evidentlya prey to distracting thoughts. He drew a phial from his doublet, andfixed his eyes upon it. By degrees, however, the clouds seemed to passfrom his mind. He replaced the phial in his doublet, and said, calmly:
"Why am I so terrified? Did I not expect the search? Have not myprecautions been well taken? What have I to fear? Julio is already atsuch a distance that he cannot be overtaken. If the corpse be found in thecellar, I will impute the crime to Julio. My explanation will be such thatthere will be no room for suspicion. But suppose it should be known! Otorturing doubt! What a desperate game! Wealth, honor, power, and the handof Mary Van de Werve, against my life and the honor of my family! Triumphand happiness on the one hand; disgrace and death on the scaffold on theother! Suppose I go to the bailiff, and accuse Julio of the murder? Thatwould put me above suspicion. But no; the search will be superficial, merematter of form for the sake of appearances. If Julio as arranged thingsproperly, they will merely cast a glance into the cellar. My presence willbe a restraint upon the officers, and will prevent them from pushing theirsearch so far as to imply a suspicion. If they do not find the body, as isprobable, the affair will forever remain secret, and I will have in futureno cause for alarm. I must take courage and descend into the cellar, tosee how Julio performed the task assigned him before his departure."
He approached a large wardrobe, took from it a bottle, poured out a largeglass of wine and drank it. Lighted by the lamp, he descended thestaircase and approached the cellar; but before proceeding through thesubterranean passage, he hesitated and stepped back:
"Singular!" he said; "I am overpowered by fear! I recoil in terror beforethat dark cave, as though the dead could arise from the grave to takerevenge. What! I had the courage to stab him while living, and yet Itremble upon approaching the spot where lie his inanimate remains! Awaywith this childish terror!"
However bold his words, the Signor Turchi did not become calm, and hisheart beat violently as he again slowly approached the entrance to thecellar. He hesitated an instant, as he looked down the long, dark passage,but was about to proceed, when a noise outside the building made him shakewith fear.
"What can it be? Am I not mistaken? Some one unlocks the garden-gate! WillI be found here? Am I betrayed?"
After a moment of torturing doubt he fled from the cellar to his room, hishair bristling with terror.
"They open the door of the house! They are within! They come! Greatheavens! What can it mean?"
A man appeared on the threshold of the room in which Simon Turchi hadtaken refuge.
"Julio! it is Julio!" exclaimed Simon, in despair.
The servant reeled under the influence of liquor. His cheeks were flushed,his eyes wandering, and while the smile upon his lips indicated adisagreeable surprise at the presence of his master, it also said plainlythat he feared not Simon's anger. He held in his hand a small wheatenloaf, but he hid it hastily under his doublet as if unwilling for Turchito see it.
Casting upon him a look of fury, Simon Turchi sprang to his feet, clenchedhis fist, and exclaimed in a rage:
"This is too much! Infamous traitor! cowardly rascal! whence do you come?Does hell itself bring you here for the destruction of both of us? Speak,base drunkard, and tell me why you are here! Quick, or I will stretch youdead at my feet. I thirst for your blood."
Julio drew his knife from the scabbard and stammered, in a voiceindistinct from intoxication:
"Wait awhile, signor. Wine, good wine has dulled my senses. You want tokill me? It would be very fortunate for one of us to die here--theexecutioner would have less work. But which of us must first render ouraccount before the supreme tribunal, my knife and your dagger will decide.I am ready."
"Insolent wretch!" cried Turchi, grinding his teeth, "my own safety andyours compel me to a painful circumspection; but beware how you brave me!Tell me why you are not on your way to Germany."
"You ask me something that I don't know myself. But let me see. Just as Iwas about to leave I went to the _Swan_, and drank a few pints of wine.This morning, when I awoke, I was seated before a table at the _SilverDice_. How I came there, I cannot tell. It was then too late for me topass the gate. I determined to wait until to-morrow, and I came here totake a night's rest before setting out on the journey."
"And you played at dice?" said Turchi.
"I think I did; for the rattling of the dice still sounds in my ears."
"And the money? the two hundred crowns?"
"Be quiet, signor, on that point. I ask you for nothing. What business isit of yours that I have spent or lost a few pieces of gold, provided Ileave for Germany to-morrow at daybreak?"
Simon Turchi was like one frenzied.
"Yes," he exclaimed, "and at the first tavern you meet on the way you willdrown your senses with drink, and you will squander my money."
"Not so, signor; rely upon me--I will leave to-morrow morning at daybreak,and if I drink on the way it will only be to quench a burning thirst."
Simon Turchi's eye shone with a sudden and mysterious light, excited bysome secret thought. He became calm, and shrugging his shoulders, saidquietly, as though he submitted with resignation to the contradictionswhich he could not avoid:
"I ought, Julio, to punish your want of fidelity. If the bailiff had comehere to-day, as I expected, your culpable neglect of duty would haveplaced us both in the hands of justice. Fortunately the visit will not bemade before noon to-morrow. As your negligence has had no evilconsequences, I fully pardon you, upon condition that you leave the citybefore sunrise, and that you travel without stopping until you reach theRhine."
"Never fear this time, signor," replied Julio. "I will pass the nighthere, and at early dawn I will be beyond the city gate. In the firstvillage I will buy a horse, and I will make such speed that he who wouldcatch me must needs have wings."
He yawned, stretching his arms above his head, and said:
"I am overpowered by fatigue and sleep. If you have no other directions togive, permit me, signor, to go to bed, that I may be ready for themorning."
"Then I may rely upon you, Julio?"
"Have no anxiety about my journey; the rising sun will not find me atAntwerp."
"Are you certain?"
"As certain as I am that a halter hangs over my head, and over yourssomething quite as disag
reeable."
This jest of his servant made Turchi convulsively contract his lips, buthe restrained any expression of feeling, and arose, saying:
"Julio, would you like a glass of good Malmsey?"
"Ah, signor," replied the servant, "I was just thinking that a cup ofMalmsey would relieve my parched throat, when, lo! my desire finds an echoin your heart."
"One single glass--a parting bumper."
"One or many, signor, as you wish--either will be welcome; but theexcellent wine locked in the cupboard of your room will be particularlyacceptable."
"Well, Julio, come with me, and we will drink to the happy termination ofyour journey."
He arose, traversed a passage, and ascended to the upper story. Theservant followed him staggering, and trying to steady himself by the wall.
Having reached his bed-room, Turchi drew a second chair to the table, andsaid:
"Sit down, Julio; here is a bottle already opened. If I did not fear itseffects, we would empty it in honor of your departure."
Julio sat down, and held the bottle before the lamp.
"Bah!" he exclaimed, "it only contains about four glasses. You need nottrouble yourself about that quantity."
Signor Turchi took two large glasses from the cupboard, placed them on thetable, and filled their to the brim.
"A pleasant journey to you, Julio," he said, "and may you arrive safely atyour destination."
They both emptied their glasses at one draught, but the servant pushed hisglass to his master, saying:
"Oh, the divine liquor! it is a cooling balm to my burning throat. Onemore glass, signor, I beg you."
Simon filled the glasses again, and said:
"Yes, but on condition that you wait awhile before drinking it."
Hoping that his obedience might procure him a third glass, Julio resistedthe temptation to gratify himself at once.
In the meantime, Turchi contemplated his servant with a peculiarexpression. There was a malicious sparkle in his eye, and a smile oftriumph on his lips. He evidently had some purpose in thus watching Julio;but what could be his secret design?
At last he pretended that he was about to take the wine, but by a quickmovement he upset it.
With an exclamation of impatience he raised the glass, and said:
"It is a sin to spill such wine. Now I have no more in which to drink yourhealth. Get another bottle, Julio, from the cupboard; it is perhaps thelast time that we shall drink together. On the third shelf, the bottlewith the long neck."
Julio arose with difficulty from his chair, and staggered to the cupboard.
Simon Turchi thrust his hand in his doublet, and drew out a very smallphial. He hastily poured nearly the whole contents into Julio's glass, andimmediately concealed the phial; and although he trembled in every limb,he said, calmly:
"A little higher, Julio--to the left; that is the right bottle."
The servant brought the bottle to his master, who uncorked it; but as hewas about to pour out the wine, he said:
"Empty your glass, Julio; this is a different wine, and the mixture wouldspoil both."
Julio drank the wine, but no sooner had he swallowed it than he exclaimed:
"What was in my glass? It had a strange, bitter taste. Did you put poisonin it?"
"What a silly idea!" said Turchi, turning pale.
"You are capable of such a deed, signor."
"The lees gave the bad taste, Julio. Take another glass, and it will passaway."
Emptying his glass again, Julio said:
"You are right; it is gone. I never tasted anything in my life moredisagreeable."
Turchi watched his servant narrowly. With assumed carelessness he said:
"Take care, Julio, to be up by daybreak. Go on foot to the village ofLierre; buy a good horse there, and make all possible haste to reachDiest; that is the shortest route, and you will be more likely to escapenotice than on the highway. Once in Cologne, you are out of danger; but becareful not to remain there. Merchants from Antwerp frequently visit thatcity; you might possibly be recognized and arrested. You must leave theterritories of the emperor. When the affair is forgotten, and when by mymarriage with Miss Van de Werve I will have acquired a considerablefortune, I will send for you, and you will live with me as a friend ratherthan a servant. You shall spend your days in pleasure, and you will neverhave cause to regret what you have done for me. But, Julio, you do notanswer? Is not such a fate desirable?"
"I am overpowered by sleep," stammered Julio, almost unintelligibly.
A triumphant smile flitted across Turchi's face.
"To-morrow at two o'clock," he continued, "the officers of justice willmake a domiciliary visit here, but the bailiff will permit no search whichintimates a suspicion. Since you have filled the cellar with fire-wood andempty casks, the bailiff will be satisfied that all is right. Perhaps,Julio, I may be able to recall you in two or three months."
Julio's head had fallen upon the table, but from time to time he startedand muttered some indistinct words, showing that he was not in a deepsleep. Without once removing his eye from him, Simon continued to speak,although he was convinced that Julio no longer heard his words.
Suddenly Julio groaned. His head and limbs fell as though he had beenstruck by death; but the heaving of the chest and the deep scarlet of thecheeks proved that he was in a heavy sleep.
Simon quietly contemplated him for a while longer with a smile ofsatisfaction. Then he arose, approached his servant, shook him violently,and cried out:
"Julio, Julio, wake up!"
Julio did not stir.
"It succeeds according to my wishes," he said. "The poison is doing itswork. He is deaf and insensible; he reposes in an eternal sleep. Life willbe extinguished by degrees until sleep makes way for death. But I must nottarry. I must act quickly and forget nothing. And first the money!"
He searched Julio's pocket, and found in it one hundred and twenty crowns.After counting them on the table, he exclaimed:
"Eighty crowns spent already! It is impossible. He has either lost them atthe gaming-table, or been robbed while he was sleeping in the tavern."
Still doubtful, he examined his garments, and found in a purse under hisgirdle the twenty crowns which he had destined for his mother.
"Ah, ah!" said Simon, laughing; "I had not all; I hear the sound of gold."
He put the twenty crowns with the rest of the money, and having satisfiedhimself that no more remained on the person of Julio, he was about totransfer the crowns to his pocket, when a sudden idea occurred to hismind.
"If I leave all this money on his person, they might think he had beenpaid to commit the deed; if I leave nothing, there will be no reason toconclude that he killed the Signor Geronimo to rob him. I wonder how muchmoney Geronimo generally carried about him. I should suppose five or sixcrowns, or perhaps ten. I will leave six crowns and all the small change.And the keys? He must keep them, or, of course, he could not have enteredwithout my knowledge. But should he be roused to consciousness by thedeath-agony, he might have sufficient strength to get out. I will leavehim all the keys but that of the outer building. Iron bars render theplace secure; he could not even enter the garden. Now I will put the phialin his doublet--no, in the pocket of his girdle; it will be as easilyfound. I will remove the bottles and everything which could indicate thepresence of two persons."
He locked up the bottles and glasses, arranged the chairs, and wiped upthe wine which had been spilled on the table and the floor.
While thus engaged, he muttered to himself:
"I must not remain longer. I myself must go to the bailiff and accuseJulio of the murder. Shall I go this evening? No; they might come and findhim alive, and a powerful antidote might perhaps rouse him from sleep.To-morrow, then--to-morrow morning. But how shall I explain the affair?When and how did he reveal his crime? Night will suggest a means. All isdone. I will go home and appear calm and cheerful."
He threw his cloak around his shoulders, took the lamp from th
e table, andwalked to the door. There he stopped for a moment to contemplate hisvictim and precipitately descended the staircase. At the foot of the stepshe extinguished the light, traversed the garden, opened the gate, anddisappeared in the darkness.
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