Malcolm rose and bowed respectfully, feeling that he was in the presence of the great general.
"You come from Nuremberg," Wallenstein said, "as I am told, and have learned your craft in the workshop of Master Jans Boerhoff, who is well known as being the greatest master of his craft." Malcolm bowed silently.
"It is strange," Wallenstein muttered to himself, "that this young man's destiny should be connected with mine; and yet the astrologer said that he who should present himself at the castle nearest to the stroke of nine this morning would be a factor in my future, and, as my steward tells me, the clock sounded nine as this young man addressed him." He then asked Malcolm several questions as to the work upon which he was engaged, and then said abruptly: "Dost know the day and hour on which you were born ?" Malcolm was somewhat surprised at the question, for he had not heard the muttered words of Wallenstein, but he at once replied that he had heard that he was born at the stroke of midnight on the last day in the year.
The duke said no more, but left the closet and proceeded at once to an apartment near his own bed chamber, which, although he had arrived but a few hours previously, had already been fitted up for the use of his astrologer.

The walls were hidden by a plain hanging of scarlet cloth; a large telescope stood at the window, a chart of the heavens was spread out on the table, and piles of books stood beside it.

On the ceiling the signs of the zodiac had been painted, and some mystical circles had been marked out on the floor.

A tall spare old man with a long white beard was seated at the table.

He rose when Wallenstein entered.
"I cannot but think," the duke said, "that your calculations must for once have been mistaken, and that there must have been an error in the hour, for I see not how the destiny of this craftsman, who seems to be a simple lad, can in any way be connected with mine." "I have made the calculation three times, your grace," the old man replied, "and am sure there is no error." "He was born," Wallenstein said, "at midnight on December 31st, 1613.
Work out his nativity, and see what stars were in the ascendant, and whether there are any affinities between us." "I will do so at once," the astrologer said; "by tonight I shall be able to give your grace the information you require." "Tonight," the duke said, "we will go over your calculations together as to our great enterprise.