le
world at your feet, if you call to your aid the Invisible Fathers,
and implore the power and miraculous blessing of the Great Kophta."
Wilhelmine, deeply moved, sank overpowered upon her knees, and cried
aloud: "I call upon the Invisible Fathers for aid and assistance;
I implore the power and miraculous blessing of the Great Kophta."
Suddenly, amid the rolling of thunder and intense darkness, Wilhelmine
felt herself lifted up--borne away, as loud prayers were uttered around
her. Then she felt herself lowered again and with the freedom of motion.
"Fly! fly from the revenge of the immortals, if you still doubt, still
mistrust!" cried a fearful voice above her. "Behold how the immortals
revenge themselves." Immediately a light began to dawn before her, a
form rose from the darkness like her own. She beheld herself kneeling,
imploring, her face deluged with tears, and before her a tall, erect,
muffled figure, with a glittering sword in his uplifted arm, which
sank gradually lower and lower until it pierced her bosom and the blood
gushed forth. Wilhelmine shrieked and fainted. She witnessed no more
miracles, beard no more prophecies and revelations which the magi made
to the elect. She beheld not the appearance of the blessed spirits,
which at the importunity of the brothers flitted through the apartment.
She heard not Cagliostro take leave of Baron von Bischofswerder, when
all had withdrawn, saying, "I have now exalted you to be chief director
of the holy order. You will at once receive orders from the Invisible
Fathers, announced to you in writing, and you will follow them
faithfully."

"I will follow them faithfully," humbly answered Bischofswerder.

"You will be rewarded by the knowledge of life and of money; you shall
discover the philosopher's stone, and the secret of gold shall be
revealed to you, when you perform what the Invisible Fathers demand."

"I will do every thing," cried Bischofswerder, fervently; "only make
known to me their commands."

"They desire, at the present, that you seek to be the confidant of the
Prince of Prussia. Gain his affection, then govern him, making yourself
indispensable to him. Surround him with servants and confidants that you
can rely upon. Inspire him with devotion to the holy order. Become, now,
the friend of the prince, that you may, one day, rule the king. You are
the chief of the order in Prussia; the more members you gain the more
secrets will be revealed to you. The holy