The Washington times., 1916-06-25

M the Black order an unwonted
v " air Of excitement was no
ticeable among the evil
brethren.
The leader Of ceremonies was talk
ing earnestly with Arthur varney. now
garbed like the others In the flowing
black robe and hood.
Suddenly the crash OF the Masters
gong resounded through the eerle room.
Seven times II was struck, and. tho
members bowed toward the swinging
curtains which shut off this compart-
ment from the inner room Of their
ruler This signal meant secret ses-
sect; it was a call 10 the pit of the
coffins, far underground.
Varney. the leader and four other
members exchanged the sign Of the or.
fists, and then walked slowly through a
low door in the rear of the council
room. This was shut ana barred be.
hind them, as though to guard against
even the curiosity OF the remaining
Within the coffin room. where stand
ing on end were thirteen grewsome
caskets arranged In a circle. the SIX
members knclt to await the appearance
of their guiding spirit.
Suddenly one Of the coffin lids flew
open, sideways. like n door.
The sardonic, features OF the Hlgn
srimson Mnssed wipS sow se Which always seemed to
hover about him in the lodge rooms.
He leered. with keen scrutiny OF the
averted faces, as he RETURNED The dia-
bo!ieal sign Of the ,or society ;Ss ia,, stem IN
the mystery Of the hands?" he asked.
"yea. master Yet we are weary
from the struggles Of the last three
nights!' answered one of the kneeiing
men. 40, Al.
you will be wearier still. from this
nights work" snarled their ruler. But
this will be the end. have no place
| for weary idiers here. And there u no
place for Black Order brethren to 80
from this council but 20 death.
So. beware Of disobedience''
The members howed.
The master seated himself upon 2
coffin, and beckcned to the leader OF
the ceremonies
Lie upon the floor!" he commanded:
His order was obeyed. although with
evident apprehension Of what was TO
follow. The master waved his hands
toward two Of the brothers. as he spoke
| to Varney.
"Hypnot!ze them. and bring forth
| their astrals!" he ordered curtly. Il
| will do SO with the other two"
Varney stood before one OF the men.
A few dcxterous passes OF his hands
and the skillful pressure between the
ewes of a tense thumb caused the sub
ject to pass into the cataleptic condition
which was the preliminary OF the pro,
lection. The second man responded
readily. as did the third and fourth un-
der the mastcrs manipu!ations So
| practiced in this uncannv work were
they, and so used to the mental domi-
nance of the me ster. that the mesmerlc
effect was almost mechanical IN Its
prompt response to suggestion:
The master now pressed the fore
| heads of all four. In turn. He walked
toward the recumbent figure OF the
| leader OF ceremonies. and waved VAR
| ney to one side OF the room.
| LET your astrals come forth!" he
cried with stridcrt tones. II command
you to walk to the side OF Brother
Zelav'
noticed himself, the separation Of the
spirit from the fleshly bodies was in.
Now, two stand on either side!" call.
ed the maoter. place YOUR astra
hands above Brother Zela and lift! Lift
Lift!
Varney had never seen spirit levita.
ton OF material objects before. He wa,
astounded to soc the form OF the leader
suddenly rise a few feet from the
ground, unsupported by any Visible
things. He turned to look at the stiff
unconscious figures of the four men
They hardly seemed, breathing: thert
was no indication Of muscular activity
in their rigid limbs.
Now bear him to the side Of the
chamber!" commanded the master.
The body, floating as 1t seemed, OF
space. was borne In the direction tndi
Gated by his pcremptory gesture.
Now! The supreme test Of the astra
strength" called the ruler. Use al
your forces--rise from the ground ant
''f' him with you! There-thersl Nft
Lift!" . -
The strange sight Of the leaders bod.
being raised against the high vaulte,
= ceil'ro OF the great room sent thrill