Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-05-21
EPISODE THREE.
CHAPTER MIL

VII NJ FIX MIL.
\ RlacI> Order Initiation.
The forcbodinEs of Paysun Alden.
psychic detective, were only too we'll
founded,
All was silent within the dismal
shades OF the secret grotto of the Black
Order. save for the !ncohcrcnt incanta-
tons of lone worshiper before the
center altar
This man. CARRIED in tho black gown
OF the ritual swayed to and fro. as he
sat cross-kneed near the nickcrlns ta-
pers OF Il grotesque candelabra placed
upon the floor before tho fame.
on his knees was a tattered book.
its pages Of ancient parchment. scrawI-
cd finely with cabalistic words of some
Oriental language.
For an hour these solitary studies
continued. At last he seemed satisfied
with the results. He rose and folded
the book.
lust then came three knocks from
the direction OF the iron barred lodge
portal behind him.
Two answering knocks he gave. and
then cautiously opened a tiny slit in
the door. y murmur OF subdued
passwords ensucd y Grimy hand APP
peared. proffer!ng a large white en-
vclope.
fcverishly tore open, was a black one
addressed simply In white ink:
1.-THE Master"
He hurried toward the vclvet-drapcd
doorway of the inner shrine to grope
for an instant In the darkness within.
why are my meditations disturbed o.
raSpcd the voice of tho evil pontin
"a black message. Master" and tho
envelope was handed 10 him, not with
out a trembling OF the speakers FIN
gers.
The leader Of the black cult leered
mcnacingiy and opened the missive.
Its message was written in white upon
black paper:
Your plan did not work, and he ia
beginning To suspect the order Faith
fully. vARNEY."
The Masters quizzical face twisted
into momentary spasm of fury, and
the scared lines about the vulture
mouth decpencd In the baicful Grim
son light
Then hc laughed scorntully. crush
Ing the message in his bonv fingers rs
he dropped it into pit-likc opening
by his side, from which dull rcd flames
were rising.
Co Prepare for the work which,
is 10 come"
light dimmcd. and rctrcatcd SropinElv
. through the hangings into the outer
chamber
There was . warning series Of knocks
, upon the outer door. He hurried TIC
answer ii. and after tho usual inter.
, change Of signals. he swung it back
upon the crcaking hinges.
. Eleven bla ck -robcd figures entered
, leading man. barefootcd and naked
10 the waist except for n black hood
which completely covered his head
Ills feet were bleeding. his chest cut
and bruised. and his heavy breath
Ing ut times almost groans, indicated
hut h haA
physical ordeal
But there seemed no hesitation
through fear or anguish as he stead
, lastly followed the leader of the cerc.
monies TO knecI before the altar.
AS he waited there. in n posture oi
, alteration directed by the leader q;
the ceremonies. the others l<ne1t he.
. fore the revolving disc. upon which
were limned tho cabalistic signs al
the order.
Three resonant clashes came from,
tn" bra@en gong within tho masters
sanrtum.
Rise. follow: fear nothing ~
mmtterod the leader
The candidate staggered stifrIv ;,
his feet and advanced calmly. directed
. by the tug upon rope about. his wais.
through tho curtains no passed to the
brooding silence--G1 the unhoIv Of
holies.
'D'oMiS III HTSt inc spectral head OF
theEvii One appeared above the altar
as hand from the darkness sudden.
, ~ snatchcd tho black cap from tn,
newcomers head
knceling thsrc he was "A curious H.
, ure III these more than curious sur.
roundings Even in the duh blue ligh,
from the satanic image lie was evi.
IDENTIFY darker in complexion than IN,
+, others. some OF whom had removed
their black masks in the rear or the
ROOM
fle was Hindoo as the clear profile
straight nose and delicate lips proved
His round cheekbones, the large. lus
trous eyes were strangely out OF har
mony with the predominant evil O.
: tho Black Order. for here was a fac,
In which goodness. benlgnity. courag.
' shone forth Enthusiastically.
f. new vision attracted his atten
4 ton from the diabolic face. 1t was tha
: OF the master In symbolic posture. over
; tho red brazier, becoming visible a:
3 the bloody hue permeated the chamber
4 The tones of the master were sepulch
raj as he asked:
do you swear to give your body anc
soul to mo and to those above me-
and his voice sank into n whisDcr eli
: this life and tho others to Gomez"
s The Hindoo nodded calmly and muir
Y mured:
{ Yes, swear It"
[ The bony left hand of the maste
: rose high In the air to make tho sig,
known as the devils henedction."
' Tho Hndoo bowed his head and ther