trunk last night; and then I proceeded to the great square to see
whether any executions are to take place to-morrow; but really there is
nothing of any consequence to induce one to stir abroad in Syracuse just
at this moment."

"Murders and attempts at assassination are matters of very common
occurrence amongst you, then?" said Wagner, inquiringly.

"We get a perfect surfeit of them, signor," returned the barber, now
applying the soap to his customer's face. "They fail to create any
sensation now, I can assure you. Beside, one gets tired of executions."

"Naturally enough," said Fernand. "But I have heard that there are some
very extraordinary personages in Syracuse; indeed, there is one who has
lived to a remarkable age----"

"The oldest person I know of, is the Abbot of St. Mary's," interrupted
the barber, "and he----"

"And he----" repeated Wagner, with feverish impatience.

"Is ninety-seven and three months, signor; a great age, truly,"
responded the barber-surgeon.

Fernand's hopes were immediately cooled down; but thinking that he ought
to put his inquiry in a direct manner, he said: "Then it is not true
that you have in Syracuse an individual who has reached the wondrous age
of a century three-score and two?"

"Holy Virgin have mercy upon you, signor!" ejaculated the barber, "if
you really put faith in the absurd stories that people tell about the
Rosicrucians!"

"Ah! then the people of Syracuse do talk on such matters?" said Wagner,
conceiving that he had obtained a clew to the aim and object of his
inquiry.

"Have you never heard, signor, of the Order of the Rosy Cross?" demanded
the barber, who was naturally of a garrulous disposition, and who now
appeared to have entered on a favorite subject.

"I have heard, in my travels, vague mention made of such an order,"
answered Fernand; "but I never experienced any curiosity to seek to
learn more--and, indeed, I may say, that I know nothing of the
Rosicrucians save their mere name."

"Well, signor," continued the barber, "for common pass-talk, it is as
good a subject as any other; but no one shall ever persuade me either
that there is really such an order as the Brothers of the Rosy Cross, or
that it is possible for human beings to attain the powers attributed to
that fraternity."

"You interest me much by your remarks, good leech," exclaimed Fernand;
"I pray you to give me further explanation."

"With infinite pleasure, signor, since you appear