The Washington times., 1916-05-07

well founded!
:. For the batting OF luckless
Myra Maynard by the scoundrels Of
the demoniac occult had only begun
The battle was now on in bitter earn
est.
Even as the physician and the girl
whom he was guarding slept through
the bright hours of the early spring
morning the Vaccinations of the Black
Magicians were at work.
All was silent within the dismal
Order. save Tor the ineoherent incants-
tons Of lone worshiper before the
center altar.
This man, CARRIED in the black gown
sat cross-kneed near the iicllering. tap:
err Of a grotesque candelahra placed
upon the floor before the fame.
On his knees was tattered book. It's
hneiy with cabalistic words of some
Oriental language. The fitful rays of
the candle cast weird hslf-lEht upon
these writings; yet, he seemed to
though he were refreshing his memory
on some familiar teachings.
His left hand traced queer symbols
IN the heavy air. dank with the , odor OF o.,
For an hour these solitary studies
continued. At last he seemed satlsned
with. the results. He arose and folded
He walked noiselessly to the wall be:
bind the altar, where a.. concealed
epring swung open small compare
fnent door. Within this he placed the
Just then came three knocks from the
direction of the iron-barped lodge portal
Two answering knocks he gave, ana
then cautiously opened q tiny slit in the
door. A murmur of subdued pass
words ensued. A grimy hand appeared
proffering a large white envelope. =.
The lodge-keeper accepted this with q
orunt of surprise and scruhntzed the
address after he had changed the smsit
opening which shut out the aim hght
inside the white envelope, which ne
feyerishly tore open, was black ono
addressed simply in white ink:
THE MASTER"
re hurried toward the yelvet-draped
doorway Of the inner shrine , 70 sfIope
A aim, red glow from no apparent
.os,rce Of luminosity became apparent.
revealing the face of the Master. cheeks
resting upon clenched hands. thumbs
uptnrned-the symbol OF the devii,w or
sign after making profound opei-
WHY are my meditatlons disturbedT"
rasped the voice of the evil pontin.
envelope was handed to him. not with
out a trembling Of the speakers fingers;
The leader OF the black cult lecreo
menacingly and opened the missive. It's
message was written in white upon
black paper:
Your plan did not work and he Is
Taithfuiiy. vARyEY.
The Masters quizzicai face twisted
ipto momsntary sPa,ssm v Of fnsy m;o SnS
deepened In the baleful crimson lfght:
Then hn laughed scornfully. crushing
the message in his bony fingers as he
dropped II Into q pit-llke opening by bis
side. from which dull red flames were
rising. ,,.,
and he waved his hand toward the mes
senger. with a token of dismissal,
go! Prepare for the work which Is
to come"
light dimmed. and retreated .gropingly
through the hanglngs into the outer
There was a warning series OF knocks
upon the outer door. He hurried 70 an.
swer It. and after the usual interchanGe
OF signals he swung 1t back upon its
creaking hinges.
leading a man. barefooted ana naked te
the waist except for a black hood which
completely covered his head
4 The neophyte. for such he evidently
wns. staggered weakly, leaning for sup
port more than once upon the arms o
his two custodians on either side.
His feet were bleeding. his chest Gu
and bruised. and his heavy breathing
at times almost groans. indicated tina
he had been through some fearful ply
steal ordeal.
One of the members poured additiona
incense on the tripod and cloud o.
pungent smoke arose. The newcomer
coughed under the binding hood. bu
there seemed no hesitation through fea
or onCuiRh as he steadfastly followe'
the leader of the ceremonies to knee
before tho altar.
AS he waited there. in a posture o
alteration directed by the leader or tn
ceremonies, the others knelt before tn
revolving disc, upon which were limne'
the cabalistic signs of the order.
Back ana forth they swayed, chanting
in unison.
At last their ritual seemed to be com
plete for the final step.
Three resonant crashes came from tn
brazen gong within the masters sane
tlm.
Rise and follow: fear nothing" NUT
tered tho leader.
The candidate staggered stiffly to hi
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