nd, cursed, to plough and sow the
field, which will yield good fruit for humanity entire, and particularly
our order, when the crown prince ascends the throne. We will here erect
a kingdom of the future, and it is all-important to lay so secure a
corner-stone in the heart of his highness that nothing can shake or
dislodge it. Who could perfect this work if we were not here? Who would
dare to undertake the difficult task if we should fail? Who would
carry on a secret and continued warfare with this artful and powerful
seductress if we were conquered?"

"No one would do it," sighed Woellner, "no one would sacrifice
themselves like Samson for this Delilah."

"We will together be the Samson," replied Bischofswerder, drawing
a glass of sparkling champagne. "We will be the Samson which the
Philistines drove out, but this woman shall not practise the arts of
Delilah upon us in putting our eyes out or cutting off our hair. Against
two Samsons the most artful and beautiful Delilah is not wary enough;
and if we cannot conquer her, we must resort to other means."

"What may they be, dear brother?"

"We must compromise the matter."

Woellner sprang up, and a flush of anger or from champagne overspread
his face "Compromise with the sinful creature!" he cried, impetuously.
"Make peace with the seductress, who leads the prince from the path of
virtue!"

"Yes, we must be on friendly terms with this woman, who could greatly
injure us as an enemy, and aid us infinitely as a friend. This is my
intention, and I am the more convinced that we must accept this middle
course, as she is protected by the king."

"Because he knows from his spies that she mingles with the Illuminati
and the Freemasons, and that she is our opponent," said Woellner.

"The more the reason, my noble zealot, to win her friendship, who will
have validity and power until the crown prince reigns, and this old
godless freethinker of a king is in his gravel Then Prussia will
commence a new era, and we shall be lords, and guide the machine of
state. For such lofty aims one ought to be ready to compromise with his
Satanic majesty even. Then why not with this little she-devil, whose
power is fading every year with her youth and beauty?"

"It is quite true, we should be mindful of the device of our Invisible
Fathers. The end sanctifies the means," sighed Woellner.

"I believe it to be indispensable, and you will grant that I am right.
Do you not see that the prince