goal. The murder of a
prince is no sin, but a just punishment, when it is necessary to remove
a mighty enemy. If you create revolutions, cause nations to tear each
other to pieces in grim civil war, these revolutions will be sanctified,
the civil wars blessed, if they serve to strengthen the power of our
order, and gain victory at last against the opponents. Only through our
order can happiness reenter the world, and mankind be rescued. If the
Holy Fathers do not sit in the council of princes, if they are not the
conscience of the powerful, and steer the machine of state, the world
goes to destruction, and mankind is lost. You shall help, my son, to
turn aside the evil, and prepare happiness for earth. You have already
done much, but much more is required. Go and work miracles; belief in
them sanctifies the mind. Our fathers will sustain you everywhere, for
you well know they are always present, though it is imagined they are
not. The infamous Ganganelli has stripped them of their uniform, but
not annihilated them, as we are, and ever shall be. I have sent out nine
thousand brothers in Europe for the benefit of the order, and you will
recognize them by the watchword. They will serve you as you will serve
them. If danger menaces you, our brothers will know it, and rescue you.
You will be unassailable, so long as you work for the order, and win
disciples for it. Prussia is our important station as you rightly
judged, and I extol you for your foresight. You prepare the future, for
here it will be! When the royal mocker of religion dies, then comes a
new kingdom, and the Rosicrucians will rise to power. Vices as well as
virtues must serve us; therefore Dischofswerder and Wilhelmine Enke are
useful means for holy purposes. That you have recognized it I praise
you. Continue, my son, as you have begun, and you shall become powerful
upon the earth. Not a hair of your head shall be touched so long as you
are faithful to the Invisible Fathers. But so soon as you turn traitor
to the holy cause you are lost, and our anger will crush you!"

"Never will I turn traitor," cried Cagliostro, holding up his hands as
if taking an oath.

"I hope not. Our enemies shall be your enemies, and our friends your
friends. If one of the brothers orders you in my name, 'Kill this man or
that woman,' so kill them! Swear it!"

Shuddering, Cagliostro repeated, "I swear it!"

"As soon as one of the brothers orders you, in my name, 'Rescue this man
o