"Nevertheless my heart is full of courage, and I said to myself, why this fear and alarm? What concerns you is that you have pledged your honour to save your friend; now see that you succeed whether you live or die, even if hell send its ghosts against you!
"Indeed, it seemed more probable that some spectre hand had seized me, than that any human being besides myself lingered in the gloomy place, but if it were a mortal, then I must try to deceive and out-manœuvre him.
"Like lightning this flashed through my mind. I did not ascend any more steps; softly as possible I glided into a corner, there I drew off my shoes, and crept once more to the altar steps, which this time I could pass up undisturbed. I felt about the altar until I had hold of one of the candelabra, and had convinced myself that a candle was in it. With nervous anxiety I avoided the least sound.
"The candlestick in one hand, I went down again from the high altar, held my dress closely together with the other, so that it might not sweep the steps. I did not dare to breathe.
"Then something in the corner stumbled over my shoes, which I had left there. This time I was not alarmed. I was thankful that the ghost was on the other side of the church; in all haste I sped into the sacristy through the door, which was only slightly ajar.
"I knew that the light would attract the bats, which hopped after me, and yet I could not shut the door without betraying myself. I groped for the desk where I had seen the registry lie, there it was still in the same place. I turned over the leaves and counted the pages, of which, in the morning, I had taken note. I must gain as much time as possible before I should burn the tell-tale light.
"At last the moment had arrived, it must be done. My tinder-box did its duty; the altar candle burned; the holy light illuminated my unholy task.
"For the duration of a second the sensation of sacrilege overcame me, but time passed.
"I had only turned over two pages too many, there it stood: Giulia Bollini, Signor Baluzzi. That was the fatal leaf! With bold resolution I tore it out and held it in the flame. Then a loud peal of mocking laughter rang from the door of the sacristy. I looked round and saw the man with the bandage.
"The page was burned to atoms, I still saw it as if in a dream; rigid with fear I saw the man rush upon me; I blew out the light, but I could not escape him.