The servant entered and placed a lighted candle upon the table.
"Now, signor," he said, "to what trial do you wish to subject my courage?
However difficult it may be, it will not be beyond my strength."
"Close the blinds; lower the windows," said Turchi; "sit down and listen
attentively to my words. I am about to talk to you of an important
affair."
The red-haired man regarded his master with a malicious and incredulous
smile, but he took the seat indicated to him without a word of comment.
"Julio," said Simon, "I am dejected and undecided. There is a man who
pretends to be my friend, but who has secretly been my bitter enemy. He
has always artfully calumniated and deceived me, and injured me in my
fortune and honor; he has pushed his machinations to such a degree that I
will soon be condemned to eternal infamy and misery, unless, by a bold
stroke of vengeance, I break through the snares he has laid for my
destruction. Be calm, Julio; it does you honor to be inflamed with anger
against the enemies of your master; but listen. I discovered, three days
ago, that it was this treacherous friend who paid the assassins to inflict
the wound of which I still bear the scar on my face. Thus, he first shed
my blood and attempted my life; now he plans my ruin and dishonor. Julio,
what would you do in my place?"
"What would I do? Ask my dagger, signor; if it could speak, it would tell
you of wonderful exploits."
"Then you would not hesitate to undertake a difficult task?"
"Hesitate! you insult me, signor. I would not hesitate were twenty swords
brandished over my head."
"Understand, Julio, that had I doubted your intrepidity, I would not have
spoken to you of such grave affairs. I give you the highest proof of
confidence by intrusting my vengeance to your hands. I will tell you who
is my enemy, and where you can strike him secretly. Kill him, and you
shall be liberally recompensed."
This mission appeared unpalatable to Julio.
"Yes," he stammered; "but that is not my way of acting. I will pick a
quarrel with your enemy, and if he dares to raise a finger against me, he
is a dead man."
"Impossible; he is of noble birth."
"And if I insulted him, his valets would fall upon me and beat me."
"That is true. There is but one way, Julio; I will tell you where you can
stab him at night without the least danger."