"Where away?" asked the C. B.
"Alongside now," replied the I. L. M.
"The name?"
"Clyde Blacklock; and he wants to come on board."
"Has he been instructed in the Rule of Three?" which meant the three clauses of the obligation.
"Ay, ay, sir."
"Let him in."
The R. P. F. and the L. P. F. went out, and soon returned with Clyde Blacklock between them. On his head, and drawn entirely over it, was a white cap. A yard of cotton cloth had been purchased at Helsingfors, which had been sewed up like a meal bag. This was pulled down over the candidate's face, and the square end of it hung down in front of him, having upon it, in letters cut out of black cloth, and sewed upon the cotton, the mysterious device AT-VI., which, however, did not relate to "Plantation Bitters."
"Hah! You have caught him!" exclaimed the C. B., in the most savage of tones.
"Ay, ay, sir! We captured him outside, and in spite of his frantic struggles, have brought him before you to be examined," replied the R. P. F.