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obey htful crime was about to be revealed,

writhed convulsively and was covered with shame and confusion He dared

not look upon his accuser

"Declare the truth," ordered the bailiff

"Five or six weeks ago," said Geronimo, "Simon Turchi told me that

unforeseen circumstances made it an imperative necessity for hi that if he did not succeed in

obtaining it ione, and that

he himself would be irretrievably ruined He needed the sum, he said, only

for one month I lent him the ton thousand crowns, and at his earnest

solicitation, in order to conceal the knowledge of this loan from the

clerks, I made no entry upon the books of the transaction, but was

satisfied with an acknowledg of the debt"

Old Deodati made an exclamation of joy, ran to his nephew, and embraced

him affectionately

"God be praised! Dear Geronimo, you restore me to life That wicked man

tried to persuade me that you had lost ten thousand crowns at play You

were too virtuous, too grateful for that, my beloved boy!"