ectionate,
he re-read it, and rising, made a bold resolve, his face beaming with
happiness, to order his carriage, which he did, and in a few moments
more drove at full speed away from the palace.

Bischofswerder and Woellner, in the mean time, arrived at Sans-Souci.
The footman awaiting them conducted them at once through the
picture-gallery, into the little corridor leading to the king's cabinet,
and there left them to announce them to his majesty. Both gentlemen
heard their names called in a loud voice, and the response of the king:
"Let them wait in the little corridor until I permit them to enter."

The footman returned and with subdued voice made known the royal
command, and departed, carefully closing the door.

There was no seat in the narrow, little corridor, and the air was close
and oppressive.

They could hear voices in mingled conversation; sometimes it seemed as
if the king were communicating commands; again, as if he dictated in a
suppressed voice. The Rosicrucians knew very well it was the hour of the
cabinet council, and they waited patiently and steadfastly, but as their
watches revealed the fact that three hours had passed, and every noise
was hushed, they concluded they were forgotten, and resolved to remind
the lackey of their presence.

"Indeed, this standing is quite insupportable," whispered Woellner.

They both slipped to the entrance and tried the bronze knob, but
although it turned, the door opened not, and was evidently fastened upon
the outside. They looked alarmed at each other, asking what it could
mean. "Can it be intentional? Are we imprisoned here? We must be
resigned, although it is a severe experience." At last, patience
exhausted, they resolved to bear it no longer, and tapped gently at the
door of the king. The loud bark of a dog was their only response, and
again all was still.

"Evidently there is no one there," sighed Bischofswerder. "It is the
hour of dining of the king."

"I wish it were ours also," whined Woellner. "I confess I yearn for
bodily nourishment, and my legs sink under me."

"I am fearfully hungry," groaned Bischofswerder; "besides, the air is
suffocating. I am resolved to go to extremes, and make a noise."

He rushed like a caged boar from one door to the other, shrieking for
the lackey to open the door; but as before, a loud bark was the only
response.

"The Lord has forsaken us," whimpered Woellner. "The sublime Fathers
have turned their faces away