"Certainly; in your place many others would have died of fright. But this morning I saw this Bufferio, whom you declare to be dead, walking alive in the public square."
"Impossible; you are mistaken."
"Perhaps so; but I know the ruffian well, for I have twice seen him in the pillory."
"If he is not dead, he will certainly not be able to make his appearance in the streets for six months to come."
"Of course, you took your money from Bufferio?"
"How could I?"
"Since he lay lifeless at your feet, why did you not recover the money he had stolen from you?"
The red-haired man was at a loss for an answer; but after awhile he stammered out: "You are right. In the hurry of the struggle I did not think of it, and then I had not the time: the watchmen ran on hearing the noise of the affray, and you may imagine that I did not care to fall into the hands of the bailiff."
"I do not understand you; it seems to me you mentioned having remained a quarter of an hour upon the spot," said Bernardo, with a slight smile. "I suppose, Julio, there was much blood shed."
"It flowed in torrents."