I then received in my neck what I considered a mortal wound; I felt my blood flowing freely, and I bade, as I supposed, an eternal adieu to life." Old Deodati, without being aware of it, had drawn his sword from the scabbard as if he were about to pierce Turchi to the heart; but he was restrained by a look of severity from the bailiff, although he continued playing with the hilt, and muttering in an undertone menaces against the murderer.
"I awoke to consciousness," continued Geronimo, "in a dark dungeon; I was lying beside a grave which had been dug to receive my remains.

When Julio returned to bury my corpse, he found me living.

He was about to kill me, but he recognized the amulet I wore around my neck, and I was saved.

The old blind woman who gave me the amulet as a recompense for delivering her from the hands of the Moslems was Julio's mother.

Last night Signor Turchi gave poisoned wine to Julio, who died in my arms, declaring to me that Signor Turchi hired Bufferio to assassinate me.