“Exactly,” grinned the Italian. “And we should have as little feeling and curiosity as the scarifying knife, be as empty of scruples as is the cupping glass of air.”
“Oh, I shall get used to it, never fear,” the Captain assured him.
They were making their way to one of the side gates of the park which opened upon an outskirt of the town, and now had reached the outer belt of woodland, near the spot where Ompertz had once lain concealed. It was his intention, as soon as they should have passed through the gate, to separate from his companion, not caring even at that time of the night to be seen walking through the streets with him.
As they went quickly along under the trees Ompertz stumbled over a projecting root and nearly fell, but managed to recover himself. But the stumble made him aware of a peculiar action on the part of the Italian which put him keenly on his guard. When his foot caught the root the impetus of the quick pace at which they were walking sent him headlong some yards before he could right himself. His companion made a sudden spring after him, only to reach him just as he recovered his balance. As Ompertz half turned, he fancied he caught a certain ugly gleam in the other’s uplifted hand, but the Italian quickly lowered his arm and threw out the other with a pretence of steadying him.
“Davuero! That was nearly a bad fall, Capitano,” he observed with an awkward laugh, and Ompertz told himself that if the stumble had sent him a foot less far, and so just out of the other’s reach it would indeed have been a fall from which he might never have risen. However, he kept a wary eye on the Italian, grimly alert for his expected attack, and so they passed out of the gate together.
Here he halted. “Which is your way, Signor Calosi?”
The Italian pointed townwards. “Surely we go to the city together,” he suggested with feline courtesy.
Ompertz checked his first impulse which was unceremoniously to separate from the fellow. He nodded, and they walked on together along the gloomy road skirting the park wall. Very bitter and resentful thoughts were in his mind as he realized his position and his employer’s treacherous intention. It was plain enough. He was supposed to have done his work, and so was to be incontinently put out of the way as the possessor of a dangerous secret. And within the hour Rollmar had flattered him, spoken of his honour and trustworthiness, and promised him his absolute freedom as the price of his night’s work, while all the time he was marking him down for the assassin’s knife. His blood boiled at the idea, and he exulted fiercely in the thought of the trick he had played on the treacherous old Chancellor and of a second thwarting on which he was grimly resolved. So he kept on with the Italian, having the object of giving that worthy a chance of repeating his attempt It was not long in coming. This time it was Calosi who stumbled, or pretended to do so. The spot was one which Ompertz had shrewdly suspected he would choose for the attack; darker than the rest of the obscure way by reason of the overhanging trees. Moreover, it was the last convenient place for a dark deed before they should approach the outlying houses of the city.
At Calosi’s stumble, Ompertz, who was on the watch for a trick, gave a sudden spring forward and turned, at the same time whipping out his sword already loosened in its scabbard. As he anticipated, he faced round to meet the Italian’s dagger raised for the stroke he had so cunningly avoided.
“You cursed, black-muzzled dastard!” he cried with a derisive laugh. “You shall pay for that coystril’s trick,” and with that made a lunge at him.