89 



marched me the length of the hall, between rows 

 of staring men and curious women, to the plat- 

 form, where I was confronted by a small but 

 imposing gentleman who sat at a desk, clad in 

 the official regalia of the Order and surrounded 

 by other officials of equal gorgeousness, where- 

 upon the large gentleman made the following ad- 

 dress: "Most Worshipful" something or other, 

 I have forgotten what, " I present to your official 

 notice this young man, whom I have cause to be- 

 lieve and do believe is a worthy member of this 

 most worthy organization, but who, unfortu- 

 nately, has been so unmindful of his duty as not 

 to have furnished himself with the requisites for 

 admission, or, in other words, does not know the 

 pass- word. What are your distinguished wishes 

 in relation to the case ?" 



"Most Worthy" something or other, it would 

 be a violation of the rules of the Order to say just 

 what, "you may remove the alleged worthy 

 member to the waiting-room, and inform him, 

 should he adduce sufficient proof to you of his 

 membership in this order, of the pass-word, 

 that when the necessary and important business 

 of this meeting is finished he will then be re- 

 admitted." 



During this exchange of weighty civilities I 

 had been growing hot and cold by turns, as I was 

 naturally of a modest disposition and was greatly 



