day thou art a simple, private gentleman, as thou sayst, but
to-morrow thou wilt become a distinguished lord, before whom hundreds
will bow. Fame awaits thee--which thou hast longed for--as power awaits
thee. Whom have I named to thee as our future and our hope in this
land?"

"Prince Frederick William of Prussia," answered Herr von Bischofswerder,
humbly.

"As I spake this name, thou trembledst, and calledst him 'one lost in
sin.' Knowest thou, my son, from sin comes penitence, and from penitence
elevation and purification. Thou art called and chosen to convert
sinners, and lead back the earth-born child to heaven. Engrave these
words upon thy memory, fill thy soul with them, as with glowing flames,
repeat them in solitude the entire day, then heavenly spirits will
arise and whisper the revelations of the future. Then, when thou art
consecrated, I will introduce thee into the sacred halls of sublime
wisdom. Thou shalt be received as a scholar in the temple hall, and it
depends upon thee whether thou advancest to the altar which reaches to
the invisible world of miracles."

"Oh, master," cried Bisehofswerder, with a countenance beaming with joy,
and sinking upon his knees, "wilt thou favor me, and introduce me to the
temple hall? Shall I be received in the sacred world of spirits?"

"Thou shalt, Hans Rudolph von Bischofswerder. The grand master of our
order will bestow upon thee this happiness, and to-night shall the star
of the future rise over thee. Hold thyself in readiness. At midnight,
present thyself at the first portal of the royal palace in Berlin. A
man will meet thee, and thou shalt ask, 'Who is our hope?' If he answers
thee, 'The Prince of Prussia,' then he is the messenger which I shall
have sent thee--follow him. Bow thy head in humility, shut thine eyes
to all earthly things, turn thy thoughts inward, and lift them up to
the great departed, which hovers over thy head, and speak with the blue
flame which glows upon thy brow!"

Bischofswerder bowed still lower, covered his face with his hands, as
if inwardly praying, and knelt. Cagliostro bent over him, laid his hand
upon his head, breathing three times upon his blond hair.

"I have breathed upon thee with the breath of my spirit," said he. "Thy
spirit receives power. Receive it in holy awe, in devotion, and remain
immovable."

Bischofswerder continued motionless, with bowed head and concealed face.
Cagliostro raised himself, his black eyes fixed upo