Evening star., 1900-08-18

1t seemed. to my strained sense of hearing
as II was in the center of a group that
had formed around me. Then I was startled
by a deep voice near me, which said:
Mr.. Albert Ferguson, you may thank
yourself alone for the inconvenience to
which we have been compelled to put you
We had reasons for desiring the presence
of your companion, but we have nothing
to do with your affairs. If you are willing
to return as you came. and to pledge your
has happened tonight. there is no reason
why we should detain YOU
Where is Moore?' / demanded Ger
tainly, l am willing to do all you ask, but
You must remember that | came here with
MarSton Moore. If | return as | came |
return with him
In this case you will have to return
without him., was the stern reply
Then FL give you no pledge of secrecy.
and you know that l would not keep it if
l made one"
This is a serious matter Mr. Ferp,1son.
You had better think twice before YOU de.
eide Our business with Moore is our own
affair and his. He knew what he had TO
expect before he came here. and he knew
also. Just what dangers threatened you if
he brought you with him. He acted the
part of a coward in doing So and If Won
Will heed good advice you will have nothing
more to do with him."
What have you done with him2' was
all the reply l made.
we have done with him just exactly
as We now propose to do with YOU. for I
see that You are incorrigibIe. Pick him
with him" 0e
If l should attempt to describe the ex
periences through which / passed during
the ensuing hour and a half creduljtv
would be taxed to the utmost, but it is Ger
tam that every ruse which the ingenuity
forced upon me to induce me in some way
10 desert Moore, or to deny him AS the
ceremony progressed-and before the pro-
Geealngs mad occupied above an hour. had
"a
kind-lt dawned upon me- dimly at first
and then with the force of certainty that
l was undergoing some sort of initiation.
What IL was | could not determine The
real truth did not once occur to me
AT last. with the bandage still over NV
eyes, L heard these words
My friend-and the voice startled me-
tor l fancied that 1 recognized tit is
with unmiXed pleasure that | announce
tne completion of your trials and suffering
10 gu nave been tried in the balance and
tues which we require of ali candida toe
w Whoever enters here must possess ali the
Qualities which are expressed by the word
Friend which is the most abused and
traduced word in our language Tbronah
OUT all the tests that have been anniied
10 you you have been steadfast loyal and
n,nu, " nat more can one friend ask of an
other! You were willing at the reouest ne
Mr Moore, to go blndly into unknown
dangers. content to await an Explanation
ehtu ne chose to grant one, and Won have
n,a. many VINO stand ready at any
moment 10 perform the same service for
you AND now, after some further initia-
uon ana instruction, you will have becnnao
d member OF the most secret order in The
"orid-and the most magnificent Ever it
true name is never mentionedHnexar - '
tered aloud. Mr.. Moore will remove the
phndage that h;e from your eyes and cut the cords
that plnd you. After he has crave ~a
pardon for the imposition he bas n your
upon you you will be instructed In thu
mysteries of this sacred order - al Inc
Ihat is ali. l wish L might tell the rest
(The End