The Amalfi Curse

Holmes plunges into the sea and begins to swim for shore, but Quinto shoots him in the leg. Suddenly, a maelstrom develops under the Aquila. The ship begins to break apart as it whirls around and around. Those who jump overboard, including Quinto, are pulled underwater and drown. The entire vessel sinks soon after. Holmes is unable to find any trace of Imelda. He comforts himself with the thought that both Mazza brothers are dead and “will not get to [his] Mari, nor the other women” (269). Weakened by his days in captivity and blood loss, he falls unconscious and begins to sink.

The narrative shifts to Mari’s perspective. Grief-stricken, she searches the sea for any sign of survivors and weeps for Holmes. When Mari returns home, she overhears her father and Corso discussing the situation with the Mazza brothers. Corso gave the Mazzas information about the sea witches out of greed and because he wanted to frighten Mari into fleeing with him to Rome. Corso spied on the village’s women and went through their garbage in search of something incriminating. Mari’s father was in on the plot, and they have yet to receive any money from Matteo.