Gilbert stopped and eyed Cagliostro uneasily.
“Let me tell you that you ofttimes frighten me,” he said.
“On the contrary, I want to encourage you,” said the magician. “Am I not your friend? You may be sure of that: I will afford you a proof if you will come with me home. I will give you such hidden particulars of this negociation which you believe secret, that you who fancy you are managing it, will confess ignorance of it.”
“Listen,” said Gilbert; “perhaps you are jesting with me by one of those marvellous funds of information familiar to you; but no matter! circumstances amid which we are treading are so grave that I would accept enlightenment though from Old Harry himself. I am following you therefore whithersoever you lead me.”
“Be easy, it will not be far and to a place not unknown to you; only let me hail this passing hack; the dress I came out in did not allow me to use my carriage and horses.”
They got into the hackneycoach which came on at a sign.
“Where am I to drive you, master?” inquired the Jehu, to Cagliostro as though, somehow, he saw that he was the leader of the pair, though the more plainly dressed.
“Where you know,” answered the Chief, making a masonic sign, “The Temple.”
The driver looked at the Grand Copt with amazement.
“Excuse me, Thou Supreme, I did not know you,” he said, replying with another sign.