Cagliostro saluted this grotesque being, who bowed slightly, but with satisfied dignity.

'You do not reside in Messina, signor ?' he said in Sicilian, but with a marked foreign accent.
Cagliostro replied that he was tarrying for a few days, and they began to converse on the beauty of the town and on its advantageous situation, a kind of Oriental imagery individualising the eloquence of the stranger, whose remarks were, moreover, adroitly adorned with a few appropriate compliments." Although the stranger said he received no one at his house he allowed Cagliostro to visit him.

After various mysterious doings the two went off to Egypt, and afterwards to Malta, where they performed many wonderful deeds before the Grand Master, who was much impressed.

At Malta Altotas died, or, at anyrate, vanished.

Cagliostro then travelled for some time, and was well received by noblemen, ambassadors, and others in high position.