Signor, it seems to me that my head is not safe on my shoulders.

How does yours feel ?" But Simon Turchi heeded not this jest.

He muttered a few indistinct words, drew his sword, and rushed down the steps to wreak his vengeance on the unfortunate Geronimo.
The servant remained where his master left him, listened to his footsteps until he heard the door of the fatal room open and then close again.
At first no sound reached his ear, but soon he heard Geronimo calling for help, and his master mocking and menacing him; at least he judged this by the tones of their voices, for he was too far off to distinguish the words.

Urged by feeling rather than curiosity, he descended the staircase, and listened at the door of the room in which so horrible a crime was about to be committed.
He heard Geronimo say, in an earnest, pleading tone: "Dear Simon, your mind is deranged.

You, my friend, kill me! It is impossible.