He remained some time immovable as if to test the influence of the wine on his mind, swallowed half of the second bottle, drew his dagger, took the lamp, and descended the stairs, saying:
"Now my courage will not fail me! No more words: a single blow and all will be over! I must strike him in the back; he wears a cuirass on his breast."
Opening the door of the cellar, he placed the lamp on the ground without speaking, and raising his dagger, he walked directly towards Geronimo, who lifted his hands imploringly.
Within a few steps of his victim, Julio, with an exclamation of surprise, stopped suddenly as if immovable. His eye fell upon an object which Geronimo held in his hand and extended to him, as though it had power to turn aside the mortal blow.
It was a flat copper medal, in the centre of which was a cross and other emblems, and attached to it was a bright steel chain.
Julio, forgetful of what he was about to do, sprang forward, seized the strange medal, examined it closely, and said, in astonishment:
"This amulet in your hands, signor! What does it mean? How came you by it?"
Geronimo, whose every thought was fixed upon death, was too much startled by the sudden transition to reply immediately.
"Speak, tell me whence comes this amulet? Who gave it to you?"
"From Africa—from a blind woman," answered Geronimo, almost unintelligibly.