Naught stands fast but truth alone.
Not for that thy quest give o’er;
Courage! prove thy chance once more.”
Eloquently, the monk then praised the frugal life, assuring his listeners that those who gave of their treasure to the cult society would receive untold spiritual values.
“As you file past the fountain cast your jewels into the basin,” he bade the group. “You will be rewarded three-fold.”
Slowly the robed women circled the fountain. The one leading the procession dropped a bracelet. The woman following fumbled beneath her robe and reluctantly gave a cameo broach.
“It was the last gift of my dear departed husband,” she whispered tearfully. “I do so dislike to part with it—”
“You shall have your reward,” the monk assured her. “Later, in the crystal globe, you will see the face of your husband!”
“So that’s how he rules them!” thought Penny. “He plays upon their emotions and then pretends to conjure up visions of departed relatives!”
Another woman stripped a diamond ring from her finger, and cast it into the bowl of the fountain. The one who followed her, stood empty handed.