There was no answer, and Alexander knocked a second time. Again there was no reply, and a third time Alexander knocked with some impatience.
Then the door slowly opened, and a figure in white stood in the entry. In its hand it held a skull, made of gold, with eyes of rubies.
"Who knocks so rudely at the Gate of Paradise?" asked the angel.
"I, Alexander, the Great, of Macedon, the conqueror of the world," answered Alexander, proudly. "I demand admittance to Paradise."
"Hast thou brought peace to the whole world that thou sayest thou art its conqueror?" demanded the angel.
Alexander made no answer.
"Only the righteous who bring peace to mankind may enter Paradise alive," said the angel, gently.
Alexander hung his head abashed; then, in a voice broken with emotion, he begged that at least he should be given a memento of his visit.
The angel handed him the skull, saying: "Take this and ponder o'er its meaning."
The angel vanished and the golden door closed.