“You belong to the third circle of the Invisible lodge?”
And he replied—whether in a dream or in reality, he was himself not perfectly satisfied—“Yes, I belong to that circle.”
Furthermore, the veiled figure said: “You were sent here with orders to make an exact report of all that occurs, to the circle director, and to submit to his will, in all things. Do you bear this in mind?”
“I am the obedient servant of the Invisible,” replied Jean, respectfully. “I will never forget my oath; if I did, punishment would overtake, and the just anger of the Invisible destroy me.”
“Did the circle-director show you the symbol of the brotherhood?”
“Yes, he did.”
“Behold the symbol,” said the veiled figure, and for a moment a little triangular plate of metal shone in his open hand.
“I see it,” replied Jean, rising, “and I know by this triangle that a brother of the higher degrees stands before me; I therefore salute you with reverence, brother superior.” He bowed profoundly, but the veiled figure merely nodded in return.
“Do you know the sign by which the master of the order, the grand kophta is recognized?” said he, in low and piercing tones.
“I do,” replied Jean, his voice almost inaudible, from inward agitation.