"What shall I do?" said the gentleman to Julio. "I cannot give the serenade without the lute-players, and, besides, I could not sing after such emotion. But Miss Van de Werve is expecting it, and if I do not go, she will imagine that some accident has happened to me. It would be better for me to see Mr. Van de Werve, so as to remove any cause of anxiety. I accept your offer, watchmen, and I will liberally recompense the services you render me. I must return to Kipdorp, and you will do me the favor to wait a few minutes, in order to accompany me to my dwelling. Follow me."
Geronimo, the watchmen, and Julio soon reached the residence of Mr. Van de
Werve. He knocked, and was immediately admitted.
The young gentleman again thanked Julio with the liveliest gratitude for his assistance, and promised to tell his master how courageously he had acted, and the eminent services he had rendered him.
Julio bade adieu, and hastened to his master's dwelling. He was about to knock, but, to his great terror, the door was opened at once, as though some one were waiting for him.
"Is it you, Julio?" asked a man, in the darkness.
The servant recognized his master's voice, and entered the door.
"Well," said he, in a stifled tone, "is he dead?"
"Who?"
"Who! Geronimo?"
"On the contrary, Bufferio is dead. Geronimo ran him through the body."