“It is so, and I ask pardon, baron,” said the other; “but you may remember that you told me that you could reveal certain secrets if you had a tress of the hair of the person—— ”
“Of whom we spoke,” interrupted the magician guardedly, as he had already caught sight of the little parcel in the simple prelate’s hand. “It is very good if you have brought it.”
“Shall I be able to have it again after the experiment?”
“Unless we have to test it with fire—— ”
“Never mind, then, for I can get some more. Can I have the answer to-night—I am so impatient.”
“I will try, my lord. At all events, midnight is the spirit’ hour.”
He took the packet which was a lock of hair and ran up to Lorenza’s room.
“I am going to learn the secret about this dynasty,” he said on the way. “The hidden design of the Supreme Architect.”
Before he opened the secret door he put the medium into the magnetic sleep. Hence she who hated him when in her senses greeted him with a tender embrace. With difficulty he tore himself from her arms but it was imperative—only a child or a virgin can be used to the utmost extent for clairvoyance. It was hard to tell which was more painful to the poor mesmeriser, the abuse of the Italian wife when awake or her caresses when asleep.
Putting the paper in her hand, he asked: