“The meaning of the pledge is not clear to me. Who will explain it?” asked Mr. World somewhat tremulously.
“You can read between those lines all you wish. Those sentences must be their own interpreters, and you must choose to sign or withdraw from this room, just as you prefer,” came the firm answer from the dark corner.
Before Mr. World could decide what particular course to take, a hand gently touched his shoulder. He turned to see who stood in the rear.
“O, Mr. World, thou needst not fear to sign the pledge and enter the secret service of our great and glorious master,” were the words that greeted him in a friendly tone.
“Who art thou, and how camest thou here?” asked Mr. World in suspense.
“I came here from ‘going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.’” Then, without uttering another word, the strange visitor lifted the pledge from the desk and read it audibly:
“Into these darker chambers let me go,
I promise to conceal its scenes of woe,
And solemnly declare, as here I stand,
That I will aid this secret working band.”
“What can there be about that pledge not suited to your wish? It means that you are to have your eyes opened to behold new things, and also to learn the secret laws of life, healthful to your marrow and your bones.”
Mr. World hesitated no longer. He signed the document forthwith, and a pass-word was whispered into his ear.
Suddenly a door opened at one end of the room, through which Mr. World walked into a large cavern which was illuminated only by faint glimmerings of light.