Page:Hoffmann's Strange Stories - Hoffman - 1855.djvu/273

 an escaped convict, arrived at the scene of action with torches. They found the unfortunate Pitichinaccio, lying on the ground amongst broken violins, without signs of life, whilst Michael was showering blows on the shoulders of doctor Pyramid.

In the midst of this nocturnal disturbance, Pasquale Capuzzi, drawing his long rapier, was about, with a furious thrust, to pierce through and through the redoubtable Michael, if some of the police had not thrown themselves between them. The light of the torches then showed the mistake: old Capuzzi stood still on the spot, in stupid astonishment, his eyes staring, his forehead purple, and his moustache in disorder. Splendiano and the abortion Pitichinaccio had been so badly treated, that they were taken up much bruised, and carried to their homes, scarcely alive.

Here is what caused this adventure. I have elsewhere related that Salvator and Antonio had given Marianna a brilliant serenade under her balcony in Ripetta street. The success which they had, and the welcome of the neighborhood, had inspired them with the idea of giving this gallant concert every night. Master Capuzzi, in despair at their audacity, which did not leave him a moment's repose, went and complained to the city authorities, and begged them to forbid the two artists disturbing his tranquillity. The magistrates, after having carefully weighed the matter, decided that it was impossible to prevent the inhabitants from practising so agreeable an art as music, and besides, a like prohibition, before unheard of, would anger the populace in the highest degree. Capuzzi, furious at the little support afforded him by the authorities, could imagine nothing better than to take the responsibility of vengeance into his own hands. He took into his confidence the ex-bravo, Michael, a man ready for anything, as I have before said, and proposed to him to aid in his revenge, in consideration of a pretty round sum which he promised to give him.

The assassin, well satisfied with such a prospect, provided himself with an oak staff, sufficiently solid, to expedite, in 23*