r that woman,' so do every thing; even risk and sacrifice your life to
rescue him."

"I swear it."

"You stand in the holy temple of the order, but also under its avenging
sword. Be mindful of it in all your acts. The world is open to you, and
our influence will be with you everywhere. You shall win the hearts of
the great and the mighty to us, and place the Order of the Rosicrucians
on the steps of the throne. The Great Kophta shall lead believers to
us."

"The Great Kophta will perform all that you command, as he is only
the humble servant of his general," said Cagliostro, kissing the hand
extended to him.

"Do not kiss the hand, it is only that of an inferior mortal: kiss the
ring, for it is the imperishable sign of our immortal saint."

"I kiss the ring of the immortal Ignatius Loyola, and swear eternal
fidelity, constant obedience, and firm love, until death."

"Rise! for the time has come for us to separate. I have provided for
the journeys the necessary means. Here are letters of recommendation to
Warsaw and Mittau, others to Paris and London; but, the most important
of all, letters of credit upon well-known bankers to the value of five
hundred thousand dollars--all valid, though delivered years hence."

"A half million!" cried Cagliostro, almost terrified.

"Does a half million astonish you?" repeated the General, and his gray,
fleshless face was distorted into a smile. "The Great Kophta must travel
and live like a prince, that he may dazzle the eyes of the brothers, and
subjugate the minds of the powerful. We give you the money, but remember
you are always under the watchful eye of the order, and there is no spot
on earth where you can hide yourself from our vengeance with the trust
confided in you. You shall spend it to buy souls and win thrones, for
hearts and consciences are sold; money will buy every thing. Take your
letters of credit; you shall live as a great lord, and the Great Kophta
shall be equal with princes."

He handed Cagliostro five sealed letters, saying: "They are made out for
five years; only one for each year, as the number indicates. Number one
is for this year, and number five is only valid at the expiration of
five years. The order is mindful of your security, and thus five years
of your life are freed from earthly care. You shall work in spirit,
and you shall enchant the world, that it may be saved through the only
saving Church, and the Holy Order."

He bowed a farewell, maki