This double life, this wheel within a wheel, is no part of my earthly autobiography. I must draw the veil over its mysteries. I am permitted, however, to tell my readers that my uncle Beltrezzor was revealed to my eyes. He appeared as a young man of unspeakable beauty, clad in a purple robe of dazzling splendor. He had become a member of a heavenly society situated nearest to the Sun of the spiritual world. The atmosphere in which they live is a tissue of golden light, and the emblem of their spiritual love is a flame of sacred fire. Would you call that a convict’s cell or the gate of paradise, which was brightened by the halo of such presences? The old man who thus lived in both worlds, at once escaping the common limitations of time and space, was not withdrawn from the practical discharge of his homely and difficult duties. Never in his life was he more faithful, more zealous, more careful in the little every-day affairs which really make the happiness or the misery of life. One day I was working on the walls of a new palace. The chief architect, a man of noble character and great influence, happened to approach very near me in one of his rounds of inspection. He said in a pleasant tone: “You spread your cement with very great care.” “So it ought to be,” said I, “for the cement is the brotherly love which binds the hearts of the brethren together.” He lifted his hand and made a certain signal. I responded to it with another. “I discover,” he said, “that you are a member of that venerable and secret order instituted by king Solomon and Hiram Abiff, the widow’s son.” “Yes—for more than forty years.” “And has it been of service to you?” “Oh yes! I have discovered in it a mine of spiritual treasures. Its symbols and ceremonies embody a system of universal philosophy unknown even to its members. It is an epitome of the spiritual mysteries of the universe.” “How comes it,” said he, “that a disciple of the square and compass, who has stood upon the tesselated pavement, is confined at hard labor as a criminal?” “Ah sir! I was quite a youth when I came here. I was innocent, but I had none to defend me.” “Is it possible!” said he, and walked toward the governor of the prison, with whom he entered into conversation. The next day I received a full discharge from my sentence, and a handsome present of money from the chief architect. I was free! [Illustration: Ornament] [Illustration: Ornament] XXXII. _WHAT REMAINS?_ [Illustration: Initial]