You were too virtuous, too grateful for that, my beloved boy!" "Observe the respect due the law, Signor Deodati.

Continue your statement, Signor Geronimo." "What an odious falsehood!" said the young man.
Then turning to the bailiff, he continued: "When we last met in this house, Signor Turchi told me that a foreign merchant, who wished to remain unknown, would repay me the ten thousand crowns.

I was to go to his country-house alone, and secretly to return the note I held, and receive reliable bills of exchange upon Italy.

When I went, Julio, Simon Turchi's servant, pushed me into a chair prepared as a trap, in which my body was caught and held immovable by steel springs.
Then Simon entered with a dagger in his hand; he took from me the note, and destroyed it in my presence.

He attempted to stab me in the breast, but the blow was warded off by a copper amulet which I wore around my neck.