your craft in the workshop of Master Jans Boerhoff, who is well
known as being the greatest master of his craft."

Malcolm bowed silently.

"It is strange," Wallenstein muttered to himself, "that this young man's
destiny should be connected with mine; and yet the astrologer said that
he who should present himself at the castle nearest to the stroke of
nine this morning would be a factor in my future, and, as my steward
tells me, the clock sounded nine as this young man addressed him." He
then asked Malcolm several questions as to the work upon which he was
engaged, and then said abruptly: "Dost know the day and hour on which
you were born?"

Malcolm was somewhat surprised at the question, for he had not heard the
muttered words of Wallenstein, but he at once replied that he had heard
that he was born at the stroke of midnight on the last day in the year.

The duke said no more, but left the closet and proceeded at once to an
apartment near his own bed chamber, which, although he had arrived but
a few hours previously, had already been fitted up for the use of his
astrologer. The walls were hidden by a plain hanging of scarlet cloth;
a large telescope stood at the window, a chart of the heavens was spread
out on the table, and piles of books stood beside it. On the ceiling the
signs of the zodiac had been painted, and some mystical circles had been
marked out on the floor. A tall spare old man with a long white beard
was seated at the table. He rose when Wallenstein entered.

"I cannot but think," the duke said, "that your calculations must for
once have been mistaken, and that there must have been an error in the
hour, for I see not how the destiny of this craftsman, who seems to be a
simple lad, can in any way be connected with mine."

"I have made the calculation three times, your grace," the old man
replied, "and am sure there is no error."

"He was born," Wallenstein said, "at midnight on December 31st, 1613.
Work out his nativity, and see what stars were in the ascendant, and
whether there are any affinities between us."

"I will do so at once," the astrologer said; "by tonight I shall be able
to give your grace the information you require."

"Tonight," the duke said, "we will go over your calculations together
as to our great enterprise. It is all important that there should be no
mistake. I have for a whole year remained inactive because you told
me that the time had not yet come, and now that you say th