"Do not fear her," said the man, observing his doubt; "she is only my mother, and she is so deaf that she cannot hear a word, and so foolish that she could not understand it if she did. Do you require anything of me, senhor?" he again asked. "I should not seek you without a cause," said the Count. "Do you know Don Luis d'Almeida?--though why do I ask?--you ought to know every gentleman, in case your services are required against them, or by them." The man looked at him, as much as to say, "My services may be required against you some day; and I would as willingly plunge my dagger into your bosom, but that I should lose an employer. Know him?" he exclaimed. "Curses on him! I know him well, and would--" Then, recollecting that by showing any personal interest, he might lower the value of the service he well knew he was expected to perform, he added, "Yes, senhor, I know his person, I believe. What do you wish to have done respecting him? Remember, the times are bad; for the Minister has apprehended and hung some of my friends lately; so the price of any such work as you fidalgos require of us poor men is rising." "This is work which will give you little trouble, but it must be done quickly," said the Count. "Go, take two or three of your companions; select whom you please; but my name must not be known. Watch the palace of the Conde d'Almeida, and you will meet Don Luis, either entering or coming out; for I just now parted from him. Strike him the moment you see him; and take care your dagger does not fail in its work. Inform me when your work is done, and I promise you thirty crowns for yourself, and ten for each of your companions. Will that satisfy you?" "It is but little, your Excellency, considering the danger I run; for all the work falls upon my shoulders." "Well, I will add ten more, provided it is done to-night," said the Count. "I can no longer delay. Beware you fail me not!" With these words the count took his departure, perfectly satisfied with the arrangement he had made, and joined his companions at their revels, though, during the feast, he waited, with an anxious look, to hear tidings of the deed having been performed. The young Goncalo, unsuspicious of the dark vengeance his friend meditated against Luis, and which he would have been the first to prevent, was the gayest of the party, rallying the master of the feast on his gloom and taciturnity, ascribing it entirely to the ill-success with which his advances had been received by his sister. After leaving the abode of Senhor Mendez, Luis and his friend, who had promised to remain with him, accompanied by Pedro, as their body-guard, made the best of their way towards home, running the gauntlet of the many dangers to be encountered, without suffering from any of them. As they were within sight of the palace, Luis again observed several figures in the same position as before; and this time he pointed them out to Captain Pinto.