“My poor mother received me as usual. She evidently had no suspicion that anything was wrong.
“Immediately after supper, I went upstairs, and as I passed through the corridor the wind blew my candle out.
“I was going downstairs to get a light when, passing my brother’s room, I noticed a gleam within.
“I thought that Griffo had been there and left a lamp burning.
“I pushed open the door; I saw a taper burning near my brother’s bed, and on the bed my brother lay extended, naked and bleeding.
“I remained for an instant, I confess, motionless with terror, then I approached.
“I touched the body, he was already dead.
“He had received a ball through the body, which had struck in the same place where I had felt the blow, and some drops of blood were still falling from the wound.
“It was evident to me that my brother had been shot.
“I fell on my knees, and leaning my head against the bed, I prayed fervently.