They threw me into subterranean dungeons, and I was near dying, when the Invisible Protectors rescued me." "Was the accusation well founded?
Had you committed the crime you were accused of ?" "Yes," answered Cagliostro, in a low voice, "I was guilty." "For whom, by whose authority ?" "For the pious fathers, who commanded me, and whose pretensions to the possessions of the Duc Costa Rica were clearly proved by those documents." "You then learned the power and the gratitude of our order.

From underground prisons they freed you, and procured a way of escape to Rome, to find a safe asylum in the house of a believer.

But just at that time condemnation burst upon us, and from a powerful order we were changed into a persecuted one.

The forger Joseph Balsamo sought the brazier Feliciano, who gave him money, letters of recommendation, and instructed him how to serve the order, and procure an agreeable life for himself.

Is it not so ?" "It is so," answered Cagliostro, softly.