[A]The Auditor of the Tower, or Judge in criminal cases.
[A]The Auditor of the Tower, or Judge in criminal cases.
Had I dispatched a man express to Sienna for a copy of the allegations mentioned in my declaration, I could not have had an answer in so short a time.
The auditor could not be ignorant of this, since in my petition I had expressly declared that it was from Sienna that Iexpected my strongest proofs. My lawyer remonstrated in a second petition, that it was against custom to prescribe a fixed time to the plaintiff. By this he hoped at least to maintain a longer time, but he was again disappointed. Not being able now to doubt any longer the connexion that subsisted between the auditor and the honest man I had to contend with, he said to me with the utmost confusion, and blushing at the horrible injustice I met with in his own country; “I have no other advice to give you but to quit this town; it is not safe for you to remain here; I see but too well the wicked trick they have served you; you will only spend your time and money here to no purpose, and I am not sure that you will even get off at so cheap a rate. In one word you are a stranger: and I blush to confess that every thing is thought lawful here against foreigners.”
“Is it possible?” said I, in a tone expressive enough of my indignation;“sure we are not at present in a country of barbarians.” “Yes, worse than barbarians,” said he, “for among them, justice is administered according to the law of nature, but here we have no law at all. I repeat it again,” continued he, “my advice is, that you tarry no longer in a part of the world where the chief magistrates are so little scrupulous as to make the guilty pass for innocent, and treat the innocent as guilty.” I promised my lawyer that the very next day I would follow his advice. I thanked him for the pains and trouble he had been at, and pulled out my purse to recompense him, but he declined taking any thing from me. “You have lost enough already,” said he, “if I were to take any fee from you, I should deserve, I think, to be considered as one of those whom you have to complain of. Besides, I wish, that in quitting the city of Bologna, you may be convinced that though rogues are abundant, yet there are a few men of honour to be found in it.”
I returned to my lodging, mightily pleased with the frank proceeding of my lawyer, and found Sayavedra in no small fear, lest I should sacrifice him to recover my goods. Undoubtedly, if I had produced him in Court, it would at once have defeated the arts of old Bentivoglio; but it never entered into my heart to be guilty of such a piece of treachery. I had forgiven him, and since that time he had served me so faithfully, that he left me no occasion to remember what he had done. I told him that our law-suit was finished, though no judgment had been given upon it; that we had but to seek our fortune elsewhere, and that, as I intended to set out for Milan the next day very early in the morning, he had nothing to do but to hire post-horses, and prepare every thing for our journey. I had scarcely finished giving these orders to Sayavedra, when there entered the inn a great number of bailiffs and bailiffs’ followers,—a trade thedevil would not be of. They made no more ado, but took me by the collar and hauled me off to prison. I asked for what I was committed, and what I had done to merit such usage? I was answered I should know in good time; which I did indeed, and found that it was for the crime of having been robbed, and that I should be very lucky if I got out of prison by being sent to the galleys. That Counsellor Bentivoglio, in order to punish me for my insolence in bringing an action against his son, and presenting petitions that were looked upon as defamatory libels against the nobility of his family, and more particularly against Signor Alexander, whose morals and good manners were so well known in the city of Bologna, had obtained from the justice of the Auditor a warrant to arrest me, until I should be adjudged a punishment suitable to my rashness.
This notable accusation took up a whole sheet of paper, and all the while Iread it I raised my hands and eyes towards Heaven with looks of astonishment, to the great amusement of the jailor and his companions, who laughed heartily in their sleeves at me. I remained two or three days without seeing any body but the keeper and his men, who wantonly insulted me, and made me their laughing-stock. This place appeared to me to be the true picture of Hell. I should have been starved had I not had money, and as it was, I paid for what I had at least three times its value. In addition to this, I was obliged to keep on terms with the jailor, who, out of an excess of civility, constantly visited me at my meals, eat up half of what I had paid for, and afterwards had the impudence to say he did not honour any other prisoner so much as to give him his company.
Sayavedra, who, for the reasons I have before mentioned, dared not appear in the town to solicit for me, employed mylandlord, who, moved with compassion to see me so ill used, went to my lawyer to prevail upon him not to give me up to the wickedness of my enemies. This counsellor, like a charitable and generous man, indignant at the tyranny that was exercised, in contempt of the laws, against a helpless stranger, again espoused my cause, to get me out of the clutches of these robbers; and, to avoid an ignominious sentence, he advised me to consent to an accommodation proposed to me by the adverse party, and which I shall not fail here to mention. They made me sign a paper containing in substance a recantation of my charge against Signor Bentivoglio, and a declaration, drawn up in excellent form, that I knew this same Signor to be a very honest gentleman, of a moral life and irreproachable honour, begging his pardon for having accused him of so foul an action, and stating that what I had done was at the instigation of some enemiesof his, having myself no manner of cause of complaint against him.
These were the honourable means they found to accommodate the parties. I had no sooner signed this declaration against my honour and my conscience than I was discharged; and, in truth, what would not I have written? What would not a man say or do to get out of prison? Those who know what it is to live in such a place will excuse me for having proclaimed a thief to be an honest man for the sake of my liberty. I repaired immediately to my inn, where I found Sayavedra in a most disconsolate state of mind, much doubting whether the application of my solicitor, and the scandalous reports in the town concerning my imprisonment, would prevail so far as to extricate me from confinement. This dear confidant was overjoyed to see me, whom he did not in the least expect. The gentlemen who lodged at the inn were just going to sit down to dinner.As soon as they saw me enter, they all embraced me, and wished me joy of my enlargement, telling me how much they had been concerned at my misfortune. During dinner the whole discourse ran upon my judges, and Heaven knows they did not spare them. For my part I spoke of them with a great deal of prudence, for fear of some new accident.
Guzman, being out of Prison, prepares to set off to Milan, but an opportunity offers of getting money, and he delays his journey.
Dinnerbeing over, I ordered Sayavedra to hire horses for Milan, whither Iintended to proceed the next day; for, after what had happened to me at Bologna, that place had now become more unpleasant and dangerous to me than Florence. Whilst my squire was gone to execute this commission, I called upon my lawyer again, and offered him my purse, but, still carrying on his generosity, he declined it, telling me that all he wished of me was to be persuaded that he regretted nothing so much as his inability to obtain me justice. I replied, that I felt as much obliged to him as if he had obtained for me a restitution of all I had lost; and we parted with the most sincere protestations of service and friendship.
Having returned to the inn, and finding myself at a loss how to employ my time, I amused myself by looking over three gentlemen who were at cards. I seated myself at the side of one of them, and observed his game; and, by a whim common enough to the human mind,felt myself insensibly more concerned in his behalf than for the two others. When he lost I felt sorry, and when he won I was as glad as if I was entitled to a share of his gains. Fortune was for a long time doubtful between the three players, though the money flew about among them in plenty. They had each at least thirty pistoles before them, and played for large stakes. The one whom I felt interested for seemed to know the least of the game, and was consequently soon the loser, when the company grew warm, and the bets began to run high, I longed mightily to advise; and though I knew that would not be fair, I could scarcely resist when I perceived that he had lost almost all his money. At length he lost the last farthing; after which he rose and left the room, telling the company he would procure more money, and should expect his revenge after supper. By what I afterwards learnt, this young man had just arrived at Bologna, to takehis degrees in the civil law, for which purpose his friends had supplied him with sixty pistoles, which he had thus quickly got rid of, without having obtained even his doctor’s cap. One of the two gentlemen who had so completely emptied his pockets was one of his fellow-students, a nobleman of Bologna, and the other had the appearance of a French officer. This latter was somewhat older than his comrades, and the most skilful of the three. The French are no fools at gaming, though they sometimes meet with persons of other nations who trim them in their turns.
I withdrew to my own room, so much the more sorry that my doctorin fierihad lost, as I feared I had brought him ill-luck. Prepossessed with this ridiculous idea, I reproached myself in having stood by him all the game, and considered myself as the cause of his ruin. Then recollecting myself, and blushing at my foolish sensibility: what an egregiousfool I am, thought I, thus to torment myself about what does not in the least concern me. Have I not troubles enough of my own, but I must grieve for other people’s losses? While my mind was occupied with these thoughts, I heard the young man enter his own room which was only divided from mine by a thin partition. He had just returned from the town without having been able to get any more money, and, more enraged against those who had refused to lend him any than those who had stripped him of his last farthing, “What misery!” cried he; “is it possible that in a town like Bologna, an honest man cannot find means of borrowing thirty pistoles? sure the inhabitants must be Turks instead of Christians;—indeed I can scarcely believe but the Turks would have humanity enough to relieve me in such an emergency!” Thus saying, he sighed most bitterly and stalked up and down the room for a considerable time;then relapsing into his passion, he roared like a bull, struck the table with his fist, and bestowed all the curses he could think of on the inhabitants of Bologna. At length, tired of raving and swearing, he threw himself upon the bed, continuing his lamentations in a more plaintive tone.
In vain did I endeavour to harden my heart, for I felt, in spite of myself, much afflicted at his misfortune. At this moment my confidant entered my chamber, and told me that after considerable difficulty, he had been so fortunate as to find return horses to Milan. “Speak low my friend,” said I, in a whisper. “My neighbor is so distressed at the loss of his money, that he has excited my pity, and I will confess to you that I have some idea of avenging his cause.” “How can you effect that?” said Sayavedra. “By taking his place this evening, and playing in his stead, to be sure,” answered I. “It must be neckor nothing—full pockets or empty all of a sudden. At all events, it is very certain that the small sum we have now left will not carry us far. Thirty pistoles, which is the utmost we have, will go such a little way with travellers who do not condescend to walk, and who live like noblemen at inns, that it appears to me we cannot hesitate a moment. What think you, Sayavedra, what do you advise? Tell me not that I am going to occupy the place of one whose ill-luck may be contagious, as I am no superstitious player, and besides shall be quite a match for my opponents.”
My confidant replied, “that he always approved of whatever I thought proper to do; but that since I condescended to consult him, he would recommend me not to trust too much to chance, but to take measures to ensure good fortune.” “What measures?” said I, pretending to be quite a novice in the business. “Are you ignorant then,” said he, “that whenpeople play for the sake of whining, it is common to make use of every means without ceremony to strip our neighbour’s pockets? Honest folks now-a-days do this without the slightest scruple of conscience. Be assured, that what I tell you is true, and be not a greater fool than others; I will assist you as far as the little knowledge I have in these matters will avail.” I was overjoyed at this proposal of Sayavedra’s; and more particularly as he volunteered his services on this occasion; for up to this moment I had kept up at least theappearanceof honesty with him, which is absolutely necessary if one expects to be faithfully served.
I now, however, told him that, as he well knew, I could have no other object than that of gain, and that if he was acquainted with an infallible mode of always playing with success, I should be glad to learn it of him; and that if even there were a little spice of knavery in it,it were surely pardonable in the present deplorable condition of my finances. He was charmed in his turn at my apparent readiness to submit to his instructions. “I need only give you one lesson,” said he, “to enable you to get all the money at the table. I shall watch my opportunities to take a turn round the room, either to snuff the candles, or to bring you a glass of wine; meantime I shall see what cards your adversaries hold, which I can easily communicate to you by signs agreed upon between us.” Sayavedra having thus instructed me, I agreed with him that I should be a fool indeed were I lose with such an assistant. We agreed then upon our signs, and my preceptor did not fail to perceive that he had a very apt scholar in me.
About supper time I repaired to the parlour, where the two fortunate players were already in waiting. My neighbour, the young lawyer, soon arrived, and weall sat down to table. During the whole of the repast, this young gentleman, melancholy as he was at heart, used every effort to appear gay, talked a great deal, drank the healths of all present, and affected the utmost good humour. After supper his two opponents proposed cards, and as they were taking their seats, the young lawyer said: “Gentlemen, I trust you will not object to play with me for thirty pistoles on my honour, having to-morrow a very considerable sum to receive.” At these words the Frenchman pulled a long face, and said nothing; and his companion declared at once, that he played with no one upon credit: that he had taken an oath to that effect, having always remarked that it brought him ill-luck. “Very well, gentlemen,” replied the other, “have but a little patience, and I will run to a merchant whom I was not so fortunate as to find at home in the morning, who will in a moment lend me whatever I want. Thetwo gentlemen answered that he would be sure to find them in the parlour if he returned before midnight.”
It was now my turn to speak; addressing myself therefore to the two gentlemen who remained, I suggested, that if agreeable to them I should not object to make a third hand until the return of their comrade: that I would instantly give up my place to him should he rejoin the party, as having determined to leave that place very early the next morning, I could not have the pleasure of their company long. The gentlemen, who judged from my physiognomy that I could have but little knowledge of the game, answered, with joy, that they should esteem it an honour. While they were preparing the cards, I called to Sayavedra to bring me some money. He threw our whole stock, which was about thirty pistoles, on the table with a careless air, telling me he would go up stairs and get more if I thought I should requireit. I replied that it was quite sufficient, for that I should think of retiring to bed when that was lost.
We were soon in a proper train. Sayavedra seated himself in a chair near the fire-place, and remained there by my orders to be in readiness to wait upon us. Being rather lucky in the onset, I soon got a hundred crowns in my pocket, without the least chicanery. This looks well, thought I, and if unfortunately for me he should return with his purse replenished, I shall not have occupied his seat for nothing. My good luck seemed to vex my adversaries exceedingly, who, fearing lest I should retire to bed, as I continually kept threatening to do, in order to irritate them the more, proposed to double the stakes. I made no objection, and a moment after, seeing that now was the time, I called to Sayavedra, “Wake up you lazy dog,” said I, “have you nothing to do but to sleep there? give me a glass of wine directly.” Herose up with the most innocent air possible, pretended to be but half awake, and in pouring out a glass of wine, enabled me by his signals to pocket fifteen of my opponents’ pistoles in a twinkling. My fund was now considerably increased; but to keep up the plan we had agreed upon, I allowed them to win some of this back again, though I might easily have added to my gains.
To say the truth, with my own knowledge of the tricks of the game, I might easily have emptied the purses of these gentlemen, who were by no means good players. It must, however, be confessed that I won their money much quicker with Sayavedra’s assistance, especially when it was not my turn to shuffle the cards. At last, I found myself master of all the money that had been spread upon the table, and said, “Gentlemen, it is very late; you know that I have a right to retire: nevertheless, that you may not think that I wish to carry off your money, and take an undue advantage,let us play again to-morrow, and I will not set off as I intended, though I have already hired horses for that purpose.” Nothing being more capable of consoling losers than the hope of having their revenge, they pressed me no longer to continue the game that night, and we accordingly separated, each taking the way to his own room, they fearing that I should break my word, and I fully determined to keep it.
Joy of having won so much money, and the agitation of my spirits caused by the game, prevented me for a long time from tasting the sweets of sleep. Happily, however, nothing but agreeable images occupied my thoughts. It was very different with my unfortunate neighbour, who had returned from the city without having been able to raise any money, and, not daring to shew his face in the parlour, had sneaked to bed full of rage and shame. I heard him sigh most bitterly, and tossing himself in bed from one sideto the other. I was delighted in having avenged his cause to my own profit; but what is strange, felt no longer any compassion for him, as though he was less to be pitied because I had got his money. So true it is that we commiserate the misfortunes which we do not cause, but are insensible to those which are advantageous to ourselves.
The next morning my two gaming friends were particularly anxious to ascertain of the servants whether I was gone or not, and were much pleased when they learnt that I had really postponed my departure. They were afraid that I should escape them, while on the other hand nothing was less in my thoughts than to leave them without making myself master of the remainder of their money; but to increase their anxiety, I did not make my appearance in the parlour until dinner time. Without appearing to take any notice of them, I soon perceived, even during our meal, howeager they were to return to the attack with me; meantime I affected a coldness and indolence, the better to persuade them that it was purely out of complaisance that I was willing to give them their revenge.
No sooner was dinner over than cards were brought in, and my two champions, to shew that they were well provided for the contest, drew out a long purse each, well stored with good pistoles and Spanish doubloons, which they threw on the table, saying, “Behold, signor cavalier, what you will no doubt carry off to-morrow with you.” Little did they think how truly they said this! We took our places then, and the game commenced. It was my intention to lose at this point, so that I had no occasion for Sayavedra. It being by no means my intention that they should win much of me, I manœuvred it so well that I lost but about forty crowns after dinner, when the Frenchman proposed to play higher.“No,” said I, “we have played now for a long time; let us therefore rest a little, and we shall then be better able to devote a part of the night to this religious pastime.”
The hope they entertained of treating me still worse, or rather of ruining me, enabled them to keep up their patience until after supper. On my side my intentions towards them were not a whit more charitable, which I soon made appear when we set to again. Fortune was at first rather adverse, but with my own skill and the assistance of my faithful squire, I soon obliged her to declare herself for me, and my gentlemen soon lost all their doubloons, which were transferred from their purses into mine. After which, leaving the game to go to their chambers, they told me that if I should be in the humour to give them another game the next day, they should not be afraid of me. I answered that I should like nothing better, and that they wouldfind me always ready to accommodate them.
I then retired to my own chamber with my confidant, who immediately prepared to undress me, but I prevented him. “It is no time now to enjoy rest,” said I; “it is too late to enjoy the comfort of reposing between two sheets at this inn. I intend to depart hence without beat of drum as soon as possible.” Sayavedra reminded me that I had first promised the gentlemen to play another game with them. “I have not forgotten,” replied I, “that I made such a promise; but I am not such a fool as to think of keeping it. Imagine to yourself the dangers I should expose myself to, by remaining any longer in this city. If it was in the power of the thieves to get me imprisoned, after having themselves robbed me, what may I not reasonably fear from honest folks who have real cause to accuse me of roguery? We have already won above six hundredcrowns. Let us be content, therefore, and betake ourselves to a place of safety as soon as possible. Have you not hired horses?” “Undoubtedly,” answered he, “I have paid their master for their day’s work, and they will be in waiting for us by break of day.” “So much the better,” replied I, “for I shall not consider my purse in safety till I am at least ten good leagues from this place.” My confidant left me to enjoy a few minutes’ rest, well pleased to hear that we were possessed of so considerable a booty, and flattering himself with the sweet hope of having some part of it for his share. He was not, however, without some anxiety on this point when he recalled to mind the history of my trunks, which he feared was too recent a transaction to have so soon escaped my memory.
As soon as he heard the least noise in the house, and imagined the servants were stirring, he returned to my chamber, where he found me quite ready forstarting. In fact, I had not so much as reclined upon the bed the whole night, but was most agreeably occupied in counting my treasure, putting the gold on one side, and the silver on the other, and in packing up as expeditiously as possible our little property. We soon settled with the landlord, and gained the spot where our horses were in waiting. The city gates were scarcely opened before we found ourselves in the country. Never was so lovely a morning. At any other time I should have admired its charms, but in the agitated state of my spirits the beauty of the day was very indifferent to me. My object was to get over the ground, imagining every moment that the hounds of justice would be up with me, and re-conduct me to the prisons of Bologna, there to compel me to restore the money I had so dexterously possessed myself of. I turned round every moment to see if any one was following us, and when I perceived a gentlemanbehind trotting faster than we were, my heart beat, my colour changed, and I did not recover myself until he fairly passed us on the road. So true is it, that every criminal carries about with him his own punishment.
I became by degrees more tranquil, and when we had travelled about four leagues, felt but little fear remaining. Breaking the silence which both my companion and I had kept till that moment: “Are you not tired, Sayavedra,” said I, “of thus travelling like two Carthusian friars? For my part, I feel quite absorbed in idle meditation. Let us talk. Tell me some story which may enliven us.” “Signor Don Guzman,” said he, “you will, I am sure, be ready to allow that it much better becomes him who has plenty of money in his pocket to tell merry stories, than him who has not a sous wherewith to bless himself.” “I understand you, my friend,” answered I, smiling; “but I assure you,that at dinner time we will come to a reckoning, and I trust you will not have cause to be dissatisfied.” “How you catch at every joke I pass,” replied he, laughing aloud; “I protest that I had not such a thought, knowing full well that in serving you I have done but my duty, for which I am amply paid in the pleasure of having assisted you in fleecing those two gulls of their doubloons.” The disinterestedness which Sayavedra assumed, whether real or false, pleased me exceedingly; and it being by no means my intention to baulk him of the remuneration due to him for his signs, I made him a present of twenty pistoles, as soon as we arrived at a little inn where we stopped to dine.
Sayavedra, to amuse Guzman on the road, relates to him the history of his life.
Weremounted our horses, after having made a much better meal than we expected on entering so inconsiderable an inn; and, far from preserving the silence we had kept up all the morning, we conversed on various subjects. Amongst the rest I chanced to ask Sayavedra how he first became an adventurer. He answered, that the only way to satisfy my curiosity was to relate to me the history of his life. I assured him, that it would afford me great pleasure to hear his adventures, and, without any more ceremony, he began in these terms:
“Though I told you at Rome that Iwas born at Seville, it was not the truth. Valencia was in reality my native place, where perhaps may be found more rogues than in any other city in Spain; because it is a place which abounds with good things, and rich countries seldom produce honest men. My father was certainly only a commoner, but of that sort of citizens who pretend to hold up their heads with the nobility. Having lost his wife whom he loved tenderly, he took it so much to heart, that he did not long survive her. He left two sons; and these two sons, of whom I was the younger, sold all his property, which was but trifling, and divided its produce equally. After which my brother asked me what plans I had in my head. I confessed to him candidly, that my ruling passion was to travel. And mine also, said he. I have always taken pleasure in any accounts of foreign countries, and long extremely to see how people live who were not born in Spain. Bothled on thus by the force of our stars, or rather, perhaps by our own evil propensities, we set off together one fine morning from Valencia, each with a small parcel under his arm.
“We had not travelled above a league, when my brother said to me: a thought has just entered my head. We are about to abandon ourselves to fortune, and as we cannot know in what manner she may treat us, we may hereafter find ourselves in situations where our greatest pain may be that we are known, and that our real names may be covered with infamy. To prevent this misfortune, let us change them. I approved of this idea, and we soon found ourselves fresh names. My brother took that of Mateo Lujan, and as I recollected that the most illustrious in Seville was that of Sayavedra, I assumed that name, which I have passed by ever since. Being decked out with these fine titles then,” continued he, “we began tothink of the route we should take. I had declared my wish to pass into Italy, and my brother testified the same desire; but changing his mind all of a sudden, he took it into his head to go to France. The dispute ran so high between us on the subject, that on arriving at cross roads, one of which led to Saragossa and the other to Barcelona, my brother took the former, and I the latter, wishing each other every sort of happiness and prosperity. After this fraternal separation, I repaired to Barcelona, intending, as well as a great many other persons who were waiting there with the same design, to take my passage by the galleys. They did not arrive, however, until above a month after; during which time I dressed handsomely, sought the best company, and young Signor Sayavedra was extremely well received every where. He gamed, gave entertainments, and did not fail to devote some portion of his time to love. In short I made so merryduring this interval, that when the galleys arrived, and my debts were paid, I embarked with six pistoles only in my pocket. We arrived safely at Genoa, where, finding a vessel on the point of sailing for Naples, I would not lose so good an opportunity, and the wind being extremely favourable, we made but a short voyage of it.
“If on the one hand I was now rejoiced to find myself in the city, which of all others I had wished to be in, how mortified was I on the other when I considered the condition of my purse, which was as empty as any hermit’s. Doubtless, thought I, Naples is a place where pleasures abound: but they are as dear here as elsewhere, and a man without money in his pocket will cut but a very ridiculous figure. I knew well that I must be industrious, and accordingly addressed myself to certain other gentlemen who lived by their wits. I apprised them of my desire and necessity to becomeone of their brethren. My roguish air prepossessed them instantly in my favour, and after a short examination which I was obliged to undergo, I was pronounced to be fully qualified to be one of their company. I was no sooner enrolled, than they made me commence my operations in their way of business. By their own confession I acquitted myself as if the principles were innate with me; and accordingly I was soon employed in all sorts of thieving, that is to say, in cutting purses, picking locks, stealing cloaks in the darkness of the night; in short a hundred such-like exercises, which are but A, B, C, to old practitioners in the science, but have a wonderful tendency to raise an honest man step by step to the gallows.
“But without vanity, my abilities were of too superior a kind to confine myself to these little tricks, and I certainly performed two or three which were considered master-pieces. I must relate oneof them to you. The Lord High Constable’s house was the rendezvous of every person of quality, who assembled there of an evening to play. I had already been once in this house while the game had been going on, and had observed every thing with a curious eye. I had particularly noticed that on each of the tables there stood two handsome silver candlesticks with wax lights, and I determined to think of some expedient by which I could possess myself of a pair of them. With this view I bought a pair of pewter ones of about the same height, with two wax candles in them. I managed to get these very conveniently into my pocket, and one evening having dressed myself so that I might pass for a boy belonging to one of the gentlemen of the party, I stole to the high Constable’s house, and posted myself at the door of a small room where two young gentlemen only were at play. I perceived with pleasure that all the pagesof the house were engaged in the other rooms, which appeared to be full of company. My two players continued engaged together for a long time, and their candles being almost burnt out seemed to require fresh ones. I seized this favourable moment, and drawing from my pocket my pewter candlesticks, I lighted my wax candles by the lamp on the staircase, and entered the room in which the two gentlemen were with a most respectful bow, and with my two candlesticks in my hand. These I placed boldly on the table in the place of the two silver ones, which I carried off under my cloak after having extinguished them. I then ran as fast as my legs would carry me to our captain, who was the receiver-general of our stolen goods, a very grave personage, and who passed in the city as a very honest man. He acted both as a protector and a lawyer towards us when we happened to be caught in a trap: and out of gratitude we gave him a fifth partof the produce of all the thefts we committed.
“Another time I performed a still more desperate trick. I happened to be passing one morning before a house which appeared to be the residence of some man of opulence, and which turned out afterwards to be really the case. The door being open I walked in. I entered two or three rooms on the same floor, without meeting any one, and I perceived, on the table of the last, a complete new lady’s dress of the finest velvet. I deposited this without ceremony under my cloak, and in two jumps was in the hall again; but unfortunately I found the master of the house at the door, who seeing me come out with a large parcel under my arm, stopped me short, and enquired in a voice of thunder what I had got under my cloak. Most people in my situation would have been quite confounded; but I, on the contrary, without being in the least at a nonplus,answered him immediately, that it was his lady’s velvet robe which I was carrying home in order to set the collar to rights and alter one of the sleeves. So much the better, replied he, but you must bring it back as soon as possible, for my wife will want it this afternoon, to visit a lady of quality of her acquaintance. I assured him that I would not fail, and thus saying, shot from him as swift as a roebuck.
“This adventure soon spread itself in the town; and even the next day I heard that the gentleman, after having spoken to me, immediately entered his house, where he heard his wife and two or three of the servants making as much noise as if they were in a tavern; that the mistress was crying out most vehemently: where is my velvet robe? it was here not one minute ago: you shall pay me for it:——that the servants having seen no one either enter or leave the house, protested that it must have beenthe devil who had carried it off; and that at last the husband quieted this uproar, by telling them what had really become of it. I was given to understand also, that the officers of justice had been informed of it; that my person had been very accurately described to them, and they were actually every where in search for me, the gentleman whom I had robbed being himself a notary. During all this time, my booty was in safety at our protector’s house, where the whole company laughed heartily at their fruitless exertions to find me. Nevertheless this trick, which I played with as much good luck as dexterity, had consequences which do not occupy a very agreeable place in my memory. Thus it happened:
“Happening one day to be taking a stroll out of the city, near a pretty large rivulet, I observed some very fine linen on the banks, which a laundress had just washed and spread out upon the grass. Such opportunities as these alwaystempted me; and I could not resist my extreme desire of making myself master of some part of this linen; the more especially as I really was in want of some. I only waited, therefore, for the moment when I could make the attempt without being perceived, and that moment at length arriving, I performed the exploit with such rapidity, that to possess myself of some of the very best of the linen, and take the way back to the town, was done in the twinkling of an eye. Though the old washerwoman had not observed the action at the moment, it so happened that she just afterwards turned her head to look at her linen. Astonished to perceive a reduction of at least two-thirds she looked quickly around her, and seeing nobody but me, she thought rightly enough that I must be the thief, and accordingly, leaving the remainder of her linen to take its chance, she ran after me, crying out:stop thief! stop thief!in a voice which made the country resound.In this embarrassment, what could I do? I let the parcel slip gently from under my cloak upon the ground, hoping that the laundress satisfied with having her property, would pursue me no further; but, whether she thought that I had more about me, or was bent upon my ruin, she followed me up to the city gates, where the sentry stopped me, asking what was the matter. The washerwoman was soon up with us, and began immediately by cuffing me, saying that I had stolen the whole of her linen. I was then searched all over, and as my cloak and the under part of my arm were wet through, it was easy enough to guess that I had got rid of the bundle, in order to deny that I had robbed my accuser. Nothing more was necessary to entitle me to a lodging in one of the palaces of justice.
“I communicated my imprisonment to our lawyer, who came to me immediately. I told him the circumstances,and he repaired to a criminal judge. They had a long conversation together, which ended with the promise that I should be set at liberty that very day. He brought me the good news, and I prepared to leave the place. The order was already made out, the gaoler satisfied, and I had one foot out of prison, when by the malice of the devil, my friend the notary, who had been so actively in search for me, and who happened to have a little business there, presented himself before me. He stared me full in the face, and recognizing me immediately, he flew in a passion, gave me a violent blow with his fist, which made me reel back into the prison again, and told the gaoler to lock me in, for that I had robbed him, and he would certainly get me committed. Our lawyer, who was present, exerted all his flowers of rhetoric to appease him. He even went so far as to promise the value of the robe; but the cursed notary, preferringthe pleasure of being revenged on me, to that of recovering his property, was inexorable: the consequences of which were that I was honoured with a hearty whipping, and banished the kingdom.
“After this disgrace, which I bore as patiently as I could, my captain, by way of consolation, offered me a letter of recommendation to a friend of his, the chief of a banditti who inhabited a retreat in the Roman mountains, which, not knowing what better I could do, I accepted of. The chief had no sooner read my letter than he gave me a most gracious reception. He introduced me to the cavaliers of his company, than whom I never saw more savage looking animals. It is true, that having left at Naples comrades so perfectly civilized, it was impossible but these mountaineers must have appeared to me wild and unsociable. Nevertheless, as one must always follow the fashion, I by degreesbecame accustomed to them, notwithstanding the terrible life they led. We made some good hits, and I found myself in a short time with a purse well stocked. No sooner was this the case than I determined on leaving these honest folks. With this view, I requested leave of our chief for two months, under pretence of having some business at Rome. This was readily granted me, on my taking oath that I would return at the expiration of that time. This oath I certainly submitted to, but fully determined to forget it as soon as I got to Rome.
“I had pictured to myself that in so fine a city, I should find opportunities to exercise my talents at every step I took. When, however, I had been there long enough to study the genius of the inhabitants, they appeared to me to be so cunning themselves, that I stood no chance among them. I made a few hits, but of such a nature as would dome no credit to repeat. In the last of these I narrowly escaped detection. This caused me to leave Rome suddenly, whence I thought proper to make the tour of Italy, that I might know it well, and I spent all my money in this wandering life. At length, being at Bologna, chance made me acquainted with Alexander Bentivoglio, who received me into his little troop. This man seems born for his profession. His custom is to leave his native place from time to time, and travel through the different towns in search of dupes; and after he has made any good stroke, he returns to Bologna, where he is always sure to be safe, as though nothing had happened. I occasionally accompanied him in these trips, and I was at Rome on his business, the day on which your lordship was persecuted by the mob. I called upon you at the Ambassador’s—you had the imprudence to display all your property and expose all your affairs to me—I reportedthis to captain Alexander, who immediately planned the trick we played you. This action, continued he, is always present to my mind; and my extreme sorrow on this account will be constantly nourished by your excessive kindness to me.”
Sayavedra here concluded his history. After which his various adventures formed the topic of our conversation on the road towards Milan, where we arrived both fresh and merry, and similarly well-disposed to possess ourselves of the property of others.
Of the daring enterprize which Guzman and Sayavedra formed together in the city of Milan.
Wepassed the first three days in walking about the streets, examining the different articles with which the shops were decked out, without thinking as yet of turning our genius to advantage. Happy times for the citizens of Milan!
As we were strolling as usual one morning, a young man, tolerably well dressed, accosted Sayavedra who was behind me. I always walked first, and did not perceive him until I had got about a hundred paces on. I then looked attentively at this young man who had stopped my confidant, and there was something mettlesome and cunning inhis appearance which I did not like. Oh, oh! thought I, who can this chap be; what business can they have together? This is what I must know; but how can I possibly learn? Were I to call Sayavedra, and ask him the subject of this conversation, he would not fail to frame a lie in an instant, and I should not be a bit the wiser. All I can do then is to keep quiet, let them go on their own way, betray no suspicion of Sayavedra, but keep a sharp eye over him.
Their conversation lasted above a quarter of an hour; after which, the young man took his leave of my confidant, who rejoined me with a thoughtful air, which by no means dissipated my suspicions. I was in hopes that he would have explained the rencontre to me; but he said not a word about it, still remaining in a reverie. I kept silence also until after dinner, when finding myself alone with him, and beingable no longer to contain myself: “Mr. Sayavedra,” said I, smiling, “may I presume to ask who that young man might be with whom you had so serious a conversation this morning? I think I have seen him at Rome. Is not his name Mendocia?” “No Sir,” replied he, “he is named Aguilera, and I assure you very appropriately so called; for he shews himself a true eagle whenever he has occasion to use his claws. He is a good companion, has a tolerable share of wit, and is very clever in many respects. We have known each other for a long time, have travelled in company, and have suffered a great deal together. His head is at present full of a scheme, which, if it succeed, will make his fortune. He proposed to me to be a party to it, offering me half the profits. I told him that I would undertake nothing, without first apprising you of it. I even went so far as to add that you were so extremely kind to me, that I felt assuredyou would not refuse us your advice in an affair of such consequence.” “No,” said I, “undoubtedly I would not: on the contrary, my friend, I am well disposed to assist you both. Let me know what is the subject in debate.” “Sir,” replied he, “Aguilera is to call here this afternoon, when you can speak to him yourself. He will disclose his whole project to you, and if there be any alteration required in his plan, you can adjust it to perfection.”
He had no sooner said these words, than he was informed that a young man wished to speak with him. We had no doubt but this was Aguilera, for we knew no one else at Milan. Sayavedra ran to meet him; and after having prepared him for the conversation we should have together, he introduced him to me. We saluted each other with much politeness. Aguilera was a well looking young man, and appeared to me to possess good sense. He confirmed every thing my confidanthad told me, and related to me in an agreeable manner several of their exploits together. He then informed me, that having come to Milan in the hope of making some good hit, he had found means to introduce himself to the service of a rich banker, with whom he had lived about six months as his clerk: that he had by his assiduity and fidelity entirely gained the confidence of his patron, waiting patiently until he found a good opportunity of robbing him: that such a one now presented itself; but, that he had occasion for a second to avail himself of it, and that in meeting Sayavedra, he looked upon him as a man sent from heaven for that express purpose, being well acquainted with his abilities that way. I asked him, “if there would be any difficulty in the execution of his design.” “Not a great deal,” replied he, “but you shall judge for yourself. The banker has within these few days deposited in his strong box a large shamoisleather purse, containing one thousand good pistoles. It is my intention to take possession of these on Sunday morning, while my patron is at mass, and to join Sayavedra at a certain place, where he shall have two horses in waiting. We shall be off in an instant, and ride our hacks so vigorously that we shall be far enough from the city, before the banker can discover the copious bleeding his strong box shall have sustained.”
After having listened to Aguilera very attentively, I told him that his undertaking was of a much more delicate nature than he himself seemed to imagine: that, being known in the town as the confidential clerk of the banker, he might meet some person on the road, who, surprised to see him travelling on a post horse, would naturally suspect him of some roguery, and immediately communicate his suspicions to his master: that the banker on his return from mass would perhaps immediately discover thathe had been robbed; that this report would soon spread itself about the town, and that it would soon be ascertained that Aguilera had set off with post horses: the consequence of which would be, that his patron would have him pursued by certain persons well mounted, whom it might be rather difficult to escape. I urged many other objections, which convinced him that his plan was but ill-conceived. He confessed this, but told me at the same time, that he should nevertheless execute it, as he saw no better way. I have to do, continued he, with a man who never leaves his house, except on Sundays to hear mass, and then immediately on his return shuts himself up as before in the room in which he keeps his papers and money.
“It matters nothing,” replied I, “be he never so vigilant, ’twill be easy enough to get this same shamois leather purse into our hands, without exposing yourself to the danger you are willing torashly to incur. In good faith, gentlemen, if you know no better than this, you are as yet but apprentices to your trade. I will shew you a genius superior to that of many besides you. I will take upon myself, if it so please you, the charge of conducting this enterprise, and without implicating you in any misfortune that may happen to me in consequence; even though fortune be adverse to me, I will answer for the thousand pistoles, provided they remain in the strong box eight days longer.” Sayavedra and his friend laughed heartily at this speech, at which they were almost as much delighted as if the pistoles were already in their hands. They thanked me for the offer, and readily left the conducting of this affair to me; well persuaded, particularly Sayavedra, that I should not talk in this strain without being well assured of the event. “Give yourselves no further trouble about it then, gentlemen,” added I, “you shallsee that one who has been a page five or six years is somewhat wiser than a Roman bandit.” This hit at Sayavedra redoubled their mirth, and we were all very merry together. I then proceeded to question this confidential clerk of the banker’s more particularly.
“By what means,” said I, “did you intend to get the purse out of the strong box; you have not the key of it?” “Certainly not,” replied he, “for my patron will trust it to nobody. He occasionally gives it to me when I happen to be with him in his private room, and some person happens to come in, when he is himself engaged, for the payment of a bill. He throws me the key to take out a bag of which he tells me the number, and while I am counting the money, he keeps one eye on what he is writing and the other on me.” “This being the case,” continued I, “it would be very difficult to take an impression of the key.” “Much less so, perhaps, than you imagine,” answered Aguilera. “I have, God be praised, a pretty dexterous hand, and will undertake to bring you the impression of it; and also, if you think proper, that of the press, in which the banker locks up his account-books and his daily cash.” At these words, which delighted me, I told him that if he could procure both the impressions, we should be much more sure of success.
I did not forget to ascertain the situation of the room; the manner in which the bags were tied up; their marks; in fact every particular that I considered necessary, of which I wrote down a circumstantial account. I then sent Aguilera home to his master, telling him that I would give him timely notice of the part he would have to play. After his departure, I told my confidant that I had put his friend to a difficult trial, and that I doubted much whether he would procure the impressions of the keys. But Sayavedra, who had a better opinion ofhis talents, thought otherwise, and he was certainly right. Within two days after Aguilera kept his word, and informed me, also, where I might find a locksmith who would make me two false keys, provided I paid him handsomely. “I have but one more question to ask you,” said I, “at what hour is your master to be seen? for bankers are generally particular.” Aguilera answered, “that the best time was between ten o’clock and noon.” “Good,” said I, “return home then, and remember well what I now tell you: I shall not fail to be at the banker’s house by ten o’clock to-morrow morning; arrange it so that you be with him at that time, and be sure you lose not a word of my conversation with him, in order that you may be brought forward as a witness, if necessary.”
Every thing being so far arranged, I carried the impressions to the honest locksmith I had been recommended to, and whom I found in reality the manfor my business. He promised to make me two keys immediately for two pistoles, one of which I paid him in advance. On my return to my inn, I espied in a shop window a very neat sort of jewel box, which after having carefully examined, I bought. Sayavedra who accompanied me, appeared somewhat surprised at this purchase. I could not resist laughing at his astonishment: “Friend,” said I, “be assured that this little casket will not be without its use.” “I do not doubt it,” answered he smiling; “you have not made a fool’s bargain. You doubtless know the use you intend to put it to, and I leave that as well as every thing else to your superior judgment.”
I went the next morning at ten precisely to the banker’s counting-house. Aguilera was there, and two or three gentlemen on business. I bowed to the master on entering the room, and addressing him in a loud voice, told himthat I was come to Milan with the intention of making some purchases previously to my marriage: that I had brought a considerable sum of money which I should be glad to place in safety, and that instead of leaving it at my inn where there were all sorts of people, I had thought it much better to trust it to a man like him, whose probity I had heard much commended: I added, that I had a short voyage to take to Venice which would oblige me to have a credit from his house. The banker, greedy of gain, made me a thousand offers of service, accompanied by the most profound bows, and asked me the amount of the sum I wished to deposit in his hands. I answered, about twelve thousand franks of gold, and a small bag of silver specie, which I would send him in about an hour. He replied that my time was his: then reaching down his day-book from the press, he enquired my name, which I gave him as Don Juan Osorio. Thishe immediately wrote down, with the date of the day and month, the better to ensure my keeping my word.
After this, having no further business with him at that time, I took my leave, after a thousand mutual compliments, entreating him not to leave his house until my return. I reached home well satisfied with the happy commencement of my scheme. Sayavedra, who was waiting for me, with the more impatience, as he was more interested in the business than I was, was not a little astonished, when I informed him what I had just done. “But, sir,” said he, “pray where do you intend to get these twelve thousand franks which you have promised to carry to the banker’s? I am at a loss to know this.” “That need not give you the least uneasiness,” answered I, “he has them already. I know well enough that this is Hebrew to you, but I have my reasons. Press me no more on this point at present, buttell me whether your friend Aguilera reckons among his talents that of being able to forge writing.” “Forge!” cried he with transport, “he can counterfeit any one’s hand; it is his fort. Would to heaven that I had only the money he has touched by such means! if he had not excelled in that art, he would still have been at Rome; but he was obliged to decamp thence somewhat abruptly, for fear of falling into the hands of a brute of a merchant, who, having discovered that he had forged his signature, was in pursuit of him.” “This being the case,” replied I, “our enterprise must infallibly succeed.”
The reliance that Sayavedra placed in my skill, prevented his doubting the success I assured him of, though he knew nothing of my plans. All that vexed him was, that I had allotted no part in the performance to him, of which he complained to me, asking if he was to be dumb in the comedy. “Never fear,”said I, “I have reserved a character for you, which you will perform to admiration.” At the same time I ordered him to take under his arm the casket I had purchased and filled with lumps of lead. In addition to this I loaded him with a bag of money, bound round with red ribbon, and stained with ink in the middle, because, as well as I could remember, there was one exactly similar to it in the strong box. We left our chamber together, as if with the intention of carrying all this to the banker’s. Having got into the street, I said to my confidant, return for one moment into the kitchen, under pretence of asking our landlord what hour we shall dine, and what he intends for our dinner. In short, take care that his wife and he cannot fail to observe the casket with curiosity and attention. It is very essential to us that they should both take particular notice of it before you rejoin me.
No man in the world could be better adapted than Sayavedra, to acquit himself well on such a commission. He went into the kitchen, where, after having asked the landlord the question I had desired him, he displayed without ceremony the casket and bag of money. The landlord and landlady immediately fixed their eyes on them: the casket, especially, was so much admired by the wife, that she could not resist requesting to be allowed to examine it more closely. Her husband did the same, and exclaimed, “Good God, how heavy it is!” “It may well be so,” said Sayavedra, “since it is full of gold coin, to the amount of twelve thousand franks, which we are now going to deposit in a banker’s hands.” “At a banker’s!” cried the landlord abruptly, “though they contained above a hundred thousand franks, both that casket and bag would be as much in safety at my house as at the richest banker’s in the town.” The landlady, as ticklish asher husband on points of honour, added: “Yes, we have occasionally deposits of value left with us; and, thank God and the Virgin Mary, we have always taken good care of them.” “I doubt it not in the least,” replied Sayavedra. “Were you not considered honest people, my master would never have come to lodge with you with so much money. Think not then that he has a bad opinion of your house; but, the fact is, that he is on the point of setting out for Venice, and having occasion for a letter of credit to that city, we are in fairness bound to leave these twelve thousand franks with the banker who will supply him with one.”
“That alters the case,” replied the host, appeased; “I have nothing more to say to it. What is the banker’s name?” “Plati,” replied my confidant. “Plague on him,” continued the landlord, “he is as rich as Crœsus, but a very Jew. He will make you pay handsomelyfor your confidence, I can tell you. If you had only said one word to me, I could have recommended you to a much more reasonable house.” “It is too late now,” said Sayavedra; “my master has already agreed with this banker. But think not,” continued he, “that I can gossip much longer with you, for my master is waiting for me. I merely came into the kitchen to ascertain whether we should have time to settle our business before dinner.” The landlord begged that we would not hurry ourselves, and hoped that we should always find him ready to accommodate us in any way while in his house.
My confidant having repeated this conversation to me, we took a walk together quite out of the town. We returned after some time to the inn, where Sayavedra, by my desire, entered without being observed, and replaced both the casket and bag in my chamber. The table was not yet laid, the landlord, outof respect to me, having kept back the dinner, which was served up immediately he was told of my arrival. Having dined, I retired into my chamber and sent for the landlord, who immediately came up, begging to know in what he could serve me. I have a complaint to make against you, said I; how could you think me capable of suspecting so honourable a man as you? To convince you of the injustice you do me, I entreat you to take care of this purse containing a hundred pistoles, until my departure for Venice. So saying, I drew from my pocket a perfumed purse containing that sum exactly. He was so sensible of this mark of confidence, that he could scarcely restrain his joy.
In the evening the banker’s clerk stole from his master to join us: “Well, Aguilera,” said I, “your patron was doubtless very much surprised at not having seen me again this morning.” “In truth he was,” replied he: “afterhaving waited above an hour expecting you, he began to fear that you would return no more. As he cannot be ignorant of his bad repute at Milan, he thinks that some person has been charitable enough to caution you against him, and I could perceive that he was extremely mortified.” “Did the three gentlemen who were with him when I called this morning, stay long after I was gone?” said I. “No,” answered Aguilera, “nor did any one else drop in during the whole of the morning.” I was much pleased at this circumstance, and assured my companions, that in three or four days, at latest, we should bring this piece to a finale. The banker’s confidential gentleman, overjoyed with this prospect, wished me good night; but before we parted I desired that he would not call again at the inn, representing the consequences to him, and arranging between us that every day at a certain hour he should repair to a certain place,where Sayavedra should meet him and bring instructions from me.
My false keys were brought home two days after this. Aguilera, who was soon informed of this, told his friend he should have an opportunity of making use of them on the following Sunday after dinner, while the banker was amusing himself, as was his custom, at a game of chess, with one of his neighbours. I then let Sayavedra completely into the secret, in order that he might the better give his friend his instructions; and, on the Saturday evening I despatched him to the rendezvous, entrusting to his care the two false keys, and the casket, in which I put ten quadruples, thirty Roman crowns, and some slips of manuscript, instead of the lead which it before contained. As for the bag of money, I begged leave to keep that at home, having besmeared it with ink, and tied it up with red ribbon, merely that it might be exhibited to ourlandlord and his wife in that state, that they might testify to having seen it; so I had only put the lead into the casket to make it heavy, and to make these good folks believe that it was full of gold.
As soon as my confidant saw Aguilera, he said to him: “now my friend, listen to me with the utmost attention, and be particular in remembering what I tell you. Take these keys, and to-morrow, when you open the strong box, take out the shamois leather purse which is in it, and empty it into this casket; but be sure you take thirty pistoles out of the thousand you will find there, and substitute these ten quadruples in their place. You will not fail also to put this manuscript in, which contains a specification of the sum, and declares that it is the property of Don Juan Osorio, which is the name my master has assumed in this affair. This other slip of paper,” continued he, “you must thrust into the bag in which you say there are threehundred and thirty crowns, and which is stained with ink, and tied up with a red ribbon. You will at the same time extract from this bag thirty of these crowns, and slip in these thirty Roman crowns in their stead. I have but one thing now to tell, and which is most important of all; that is, to open the press in which your patron keeps his account books, and write in his journal the words you will find on this third paper, taking good care to let it be under the name of Don Juan Osorio, which you will find there entered, and also to imitate with your utmost dexterity the hand-writing of Signor Plati. Signor Don Guzman, my master,” added he, “requires nothing more of you but what will be the easiest part of the performance, namely: that on Monday, at the wind up of the scheme, you affect to be a most zealous servant, call him all the vile names you can think of, and even strike him to make the scene more natural.”
Aguilera here interrupted his friend. “Enough,” said he; “I see plainly the whole of the project, and that the master you serve is indeed a thorough-bred thief. You may assure him that I shall do every thing he has prescribed for me, and it shall not be my fault if his plans be defeated.” Sayavedra thereupon delivered up to him the casket with the three papers, the ten quadruples, and thirty Roman crowns, which Aguilera carried home and hid, until the time came to make use of them.