When he leaves this Hospital he can never be cured from the fiercer subsequent attacks unless he be born again, and such an event Satan knows is very unlikely to occur.
Mr. World, in passing, spoke to quite a few who were suffering from spiritual dyspepsia, consumption, and a great number of other ailments which had developed into chronic form, or had made necessary the surgeon’s cruel knife, and then, turning to his obliging friend, asked if he could not now see Miss Church-Member.
He was taken into a special department arranged for those who were convalescent.
When she saw her faithful and loving friend, Miss Church-Member smiled for the first time since the operation.
The pleasant interview soon ended at the behest of the nurse, and Mr. World was asked if he wished to enter the secret departments underground. This question aroused his curiosity and led to a lengthy conversation after which he expressed a desire to visit the secret chambers.
He was conducted into a dark office and asked to sign a pledge that lay on a desk.
CHAPTER XXIII.
SATAN’S SECRET SERVICE.
1. While Miss Church-Member is convalescent, Mr. World alone visits the underground apartments where secret sins are taught.
2. The last horrible stages of vice represented.
I saw Mr. World standing in a shadowy room and reading the conditions of entering “Satan’s Secret Service.” He was soon surprised by hearing a voice from a gloomy corner: “You cannot gain entrance to these secret abodes unless you sign that pledge.”