his intelligence has compassed all knowledge. He is familiar with the
supernatural as with the natural. On my way, I visited him.... Know thou
next, O Emir, I too have had occasion to make inquiries of the future.
The vulgar would call me an astrologer--not a professional practising
for profit, but an adept seeking information because it lifts me so much
nearer Allah and his sublimest mysteries. Very lately I found a celestial
horoscope announcing a change in the status of the world. The masterful
waves, as you may know, have for many ages flowed from the West; but now,
the old Roman impetus having at last spent itself, a refluence is to set
in, and the East in its turn pour a dominating flood upon the West. The
determining stars have slipped their influences. They are in motion.
_Constantinople is doomed!_"

The guest drew a quick breath. Understanding was flooding him with
light.

"And now, O Emir, say, if the revelation had stopped there--stopped, I
mean, with the overthrow of the Christian capital--wouldst thou have
been satisfied with it?"

"No, by Allah, no!"

"Further, Emir. The stars being communicable yet, what wouldst thou have
asked them next?"

"I would not have rested until I had from them the name of him who is to
be leader in the movement."

The Mystic smiled at the young man's fervor.