young man and the high-born one retired by the lobby by which they had come, leaving Billet alone.
"Draw nearer," said the chairman. "What is your name among the profane?" he demanded when obeyed.
"François Billet, and it is Strength, among the elect."
"Where did you first see the Light?"
"In the lodge of the Soissons Friends of Truth."
"How old are you?"
"Seven years," replied Billet, making the sign to show what rank he had attained in the order.
"Why do you want to rise a step and be received among us?"
"Because I am told that it is a step nearer the Universal Light."
"Have you supporters?"
"I have no one to speak for me save him who came to me and offered to have me welcomed." He looked fixedly at the chairman.
"With what feelings would you walk in the way which we may open unto you?"
"With hate of the powerful and love for equality."
"What answers for these feelings?"
"The pledge of a man who has never broken his word."
"What inspired your wish for equality?"
"The inferior condition in which I was born."
"What the hatred of those above you?"
"That is my secret; yet it is known to you; why do you want me to say aloud what I hesitate to say in a whisper to myself?"
"Will you walk in the way to Equality and with you lead all those whom you can control?"
"Yes."
"As far as your will and strength can go, will you overthrow all obstacles opposing the freedom of France and the emancipation of the world?"
"I will."
"Are you free from any anterior engagement or if made will you break it if contrary to this new pledge?"
"I am ready."
Turning to the chiefs, the Master said:
"Brothers, this man speaks the truth. I invited him to be one of ours. A great grief binds him to our cause by the ties of hatred. He has already done much for the Revolution and may do more. I propose him, and answer for him in the past, the present and the future."
"Receive him," said all the six.
The presiding officer raised his hand and said in a slow and solemn voice:
"In the name of the Architect of the Universe, swear to break all carnal bonds still binding you to parents, sister, brother, wife, kinsmen, mistress, kings, benefactors, and to whomsoever you have promised faith, obedience, service or gratitude."
Billet repeated in a voice as firm as the speaker's.
"Good! henceforth you are freed from the so-called oath of allegiance made to the country and the laws. Swear therefore to reveal to your new chief what you see and do, hear or learn, read or divine, and moreover to seek out and find which is not offered to the sight."
"I swear," said Billet.
"Swear to honor and respect steel, fire and poison as sure and prompt means necessary to purge the world by the death of those who try to lessen truth or snatch it from our hands.
"Swear to avoid Naples, Rome, Spain and all accursed places. To shun the temptation of revealing anything seen and heard in our meetings, for the lightning is not swifter to strike than our invisible and inevitable knife, wherever you may hide. And now, live in the Name of the Three!"
A brother hidden in the crypt, opened the door where the inferior members were strolling till the initiation was over. The Master waved Billet to go there, and, bowing, he went to join those whom the dreadful words he had uttered made his associates.
The second candidate was the famous St. Just, the Revolutionist whom Robespierre sent to the guillotine. He was initiated in the same terms as Billet and similarly joined the band.
The third candidate was Louis Philippe, Duke of Orleans whom hatred of his relatives had induced to take this step to have the aid of powerful partners in his attempt to seize the throne. He was already at the degree of Rose-Croix. He took the oath which was administered in a different order from before in order to test him at the outset, and instead of saying, Yes, he repeated the very words of the section binding him to break all ties, of affection or allegiance to royalty.
When he darted into the crypt he exclaimed:
"At last I shall have my revenge!"
CHAPTER V.
THE CONSPIRATORS ACCOUNT
On being left together, the six masked men and the chairman whispered among themselves.
"Let all come in," said Cagliostro, for he was the Master; "I am ready to make the report I promised."
The door was instantly opened: the members of the league walked in; to crowd the hall once more.
Hardly was the door closed behind the last before the Master said holding up his hand quickly like one who knew the value of time, and wished not to lose a second:
"Brothers, there may be some here who were present at a meeting held just twenty years ago, a couple of miles from Danenfels, in a cavern of Thunder Mountain, five miles from the Rhine; if so, let the venerable upholders of the Great Cause which we have embraced, signify the same by holding up the hand, saying: 'I was there!'"
Five or six hands were held above the throng and as many voices cried: "I was there."
"So far good," continued the speaker; "the others are in the Temple above, or scattered over the earth, working at the common and holy work, for it is that of all mankind. Twenty years ago, this work which we have pursued in its different periods was scarce commenced. The light was at its dawning and the steadiest eyes beheld the future only through the cloud which none but the eyes of the chosen could pierce. At that meeting, I explained by what miracle death did not exist for me, it being merely for man forgetfulness of the past, or rather how, during twenty centuries, I had dwelt in succeeding bodies for my immortal soul. Slowly I saw peoples pass from slavery to serfdom, from serfdom to the state of those aspirations for freedom which precede it. Like the stars of the night hinting what a sun can be, we have seen the republics try their rules, at Genoa, Venice, Switzerland; but this is not what we needed.
"A great country was wanted to give the impetus, a wheel in which should be cogged all the others, a planet which should illumine the world."
A cheering murmur ran through the audience and Cagliostro proceeded with an inspired air:
"Heaven indicated to me, France. Indeed, having tried all systems, she appeared likely to suit our purpose, and we decided on her being first freed. But look back on France twenty years ago, and grant that it was great boldness or rather sublime faith to undertake such a task. In Louis XV.'s hands so weakly, it was still the realm of Louis XIV., an aristocratic kingdom, where the nobles had all the rights and the rich all the
