The variety of passes that can be executed with different meanings is astonishing. Yet it should be remembered that, although outsiders may not know what you are saying, it will always be apparent that “something is up,” and a very undesirable curiosity will be awakened.
On the other hand, there are many little actions, unnoticeable in themselves, which may have a great meaning to those “in the know.”
A simple stroking of the eyebrows ([Fig. 2]) is to all appearances a harmless movement, but in the secret signs of a well-known society it meant that treachery was in the air, and every person in the room would have to be watched.
In a certain Italian Society, clasping the forehead with the left hand as though in extreme weariness ([Fig. 3]) implied: “Be cautious, you are being watched.” A similar action with the right hand meant: “We are known, make your escape as best you can; leave me alone.”
In the same society, when a member found himself in a mixed assembly, and desired to ascertain who amongst the guests belonged to his fraternity, he would stroke his left cheek thoughtfully with extended first and second fingers, as in [Fig. 4].
Fig. 3.—The sign of an Italian secret society.
Fig. 4.—The “cheek” sign of an Italian secret society.
The brethren of a very respectable society, which still flourishes, are generally credited with knowing each other by a peculiar flourish of the hand when removing the hat, in a somewhat similar manner to that shown in [Fig. 5]. Others make the ceremony of blowing the nose of like importance.