"His soul?
Whose soul?
Geronimo's ?" Steps were heard in the vestibule.

Simon Turchi went to the door, and said: "Here is the bailiff! He will know the secret which is breaking my heart." The bailiff entered the room, looked around in surprise, and at last said to Simon Turchi, who continued to talk confusedly: "You have sent for me in all haste, in order to make a terrible revelation; I am here with my officers.

Have you discovered Geronimo's assassins?
Speak, Simon, and tell us what you know." "So horrible is this secret, messire, that my tongue refuses to tell it.
Ah! if I could forever--" "Calm yourself, signor," said the bailiff, with perfect self-possession.
"What have you learned ?" "But--but I must be alone with you.

The news I have to communicate must not be revealed before Signor Deodati." The old man said, with tearful eyes: "You are cruel, Signor Simon! What could you say more terrible?
You speak of Geronimo's soul; you announce his death, and yet you leave me in this horrible doubt.

Speak, I conjure you." All that Simon Turchi had said was only a deception practised upon his auditors, in order to make them believe that grief had affected his mind, and to prepare the way for his revelation.
At last he appeared to yield to necessity, and said: "God grant that the frightful news may not afflict you as it did me! Listen! you know that two days ago my servant Julio left my service because I severely reproved his irregularities.