eautiful arabesque work were tastefully distributed in various places, and
in the centre played a small fountain fed by aromatic water. The lower part
of the room contained a recess, the interior of which was concealed by a
semi-transparent screen, which permitted the visitors to see that it was
lit up by a flame proceeding from an urn. Heavy rich silk curtains, hung
before the windows, excluded the glare of the sun, and were so arranged
that the light in the room resembled that given by the moon when at its
full. The atmosphere of the apartment was heavy with the perfumes of exotic
plants and costly essences. The Moor requested them to be seated, and,
again crossing his arms over his breast, he bowed and left the room.

As soon as the door had closed behind him, Develour said to Filmot: "It is
reported that the Red Man appeared four times to Napoleon, and each time,
in order to expostulate with him about the course he was pursuing; that,
during each visit, he advised him what to do, and accompanied his advice
with the promise of success, in case he would follow his counsel; and a
threat of defeat if he persisted in disregarding it. The last visit which
he paid to the Emperor was shortly before the battle of Waterloo. Montholon
was in the antechamber, when the man with the red cloak entered his
master's apartment. After renewed expostulations, he urged the Emperor to
make an overture to the allied powers, and to promise that he would confine
his claims to France, and pledge himself not to attempt conquest beyond the
Rhine. When Napoleon, though half awed, rejected this advice with some
irritation, his visitor rose, and solemnly predicted to him a signal defeat
in the next great battle he would be compelled to fight; and, after that,
an expulsion from his empire; and then left the room as abruptly as he had
entered it.

"As soon as Napoleon had recovered from his surprise at the bold language
and the sudden departure of his strange monitor, he hastened into the
antechamber to call him back. But no one but Montholon was in the room,
who, when questioned by the Emperor concerning the man who just left the
cabinet, replied that, during the last half hour, no human being had passed
through the antechamber, to seek ingress or egress. The sentinels on the
staircases and at the gates were then examined, but they all declared that
they had not seen any stranger pass their respective posts. Perplexed at
this fruitless endeavor to