"'Well, M. Robert-Houdin,' Louis Philippe said to me, with a movement of impatient curiosity, 'here is a box; am I to conclude it contains the handkerchiefs?' "'Yes, Sire,' I replied with assurance, 'and they have been there, too, for a long period.' "'How can that be? The handkerchiefs were lent you scarce a quarter of an hour ago.' "'I cannot deny it, Sire; but what would my magic powers avail me if I could not perform incomprehensible tricks? Your Majesty will doubtless be still more surprised when I prove to your satisfaction that this coffer as well as its contents was deposited in the chest of the orange-tree sixty years ago.' [Illustration: Reproduction of a very rare pastel portrait of Cagliostro. From the Harry Houdini Collection.] "'I should like to believe your statement,' the King replied with a smile; 'but that is impossible, and I must, therefore, ask for proofs of your assertion.' "'If your Majesty will be kind enough to open this casket they will be supplied.' "'Certainly; but I shall require a key for that.' "'It only depends on yourself, Sire, to have one. Deign to remove it from the neck of this turtle dove, which has just brought it to you.' "Louis Philippe unfastened a ribbon that held a small rusty key with which he hastened to unlock the coffer. The first thing that caught the King's eye was a parchment, on which he read the following statements: "'This day, the sixth of June, 1786, this iron box, containing six handkerchiefs, was placed among the roots of an orange tree by me, Balsamo, Count of Cagliostro, to serve in performing an act of magic which will be executed on the same day sixty years hence before Louis Philippe of Orléans and his family.' "'There is, decidedly, witchcraft about this,' the King said, more and more amazed. 'Nothing is wanting, for the seal and signature of the celebrated sorcerer are placed at the foot of this statement, which, Heaven pardon me, smells strongly of sulphur.' "At this jest the audience began to laugh. "'But,' the King added, taking out of the box a carefully sealed packet, 'can the handkerchiefs, by possibility, be in this?' "'Indeed, Sire, they are; but, before opening the parcel, I would request your Majesty to notice that it, also, bears the impression of Cagliostro's seal.' "This seal, once rendered so famous by being placed on the celebrated alchemist's bottles of elixir and liquid gold, I had obtained from Torrini, who had been an old friend of Cagliostro's. "'It is certainly the same,' my royal spectator answered, after comparing the two seals. Still, in his impatience to learn the contents of the parcel, the King quickly tore open the envelope, and soon displayed before the astonished spectators the six handkerchiefs, which, a few moments before, were still on my table."