"How long ago is Christianus Rosencrux reported to have lived?" demanded Wagner, suddenly interrupting the garrulous and narrow-minded Sicilian. "There we are again!" he ejaculated. "The credulous declare that Rosencrux discovered in the East the means of prolonging existence, and though he was born as far back as the year 1359, he is still alive." Had not the barber turned aside at that precise instant to fill an ewer and place a towel for his customer's use, he would have been surprised by the sudden start and the expression of ineffable joy which denoted Fernand's emotions, as by a rapid calculation mentally made, our hero perceived that if Rosencrux were born in 1359, and alive at that moment--namely, in 1521--his age would be exactly one hundred and sixty-two! "It is Christianus Rosencrux, then," he said to himself, "whom I have inquired for--whom I am to see--and who will dissolve the spell that has been placed upon me. But where shall I seek him? whither shall I go to find his secret abode?" The duties of the barber were completed; and Wagner threw down a piece of gold, saying, "Keep that coin, friend, for your discourse has greatly interested me, and has indeed well deserved it." The poor old man had never possessed in all his life so much money at one time; and so vast was his joy that he could only mutter a few broken sentences to express his gratitude. "I require not thanks, my good friend," said Wagner. "But one word ere I depart. Knowest thou the spot which rumor indicates as the abode of that sect of whom we have been speaking?" "Nay, excellent signor," replied the barber; "there your question masters me; for in this case rumor goes not to such a length as to afford hints for an investigation which would prove its utter fallacy. All that I have heard, signor, concerning the Rosicrucians, you have learnt from my lips; and I know no more." Wagner, finding that further inquiry in that quarter was useless, took leave of the old man, and traversing the suburb, entered the town of Syracuse. CHAPTER LIX.