“I discover,” he said, “that you are a member of that venerable and secret order instituted by king Solomon and Hiram Abiff, the widow’s son.”
“Yes—for more than forty years.”
“And has it been of service to you?”
“Oh yes! I have discovered in it a mine of spiritual treasures. Its symbols and ceremonies embody a system of universal philosophy unknown even to its members. It is an epitome of the spiritual mysteries of the universe.”
“How comes it,” said he, “that a disciple of the square and compass, who has stood upon the tesselated pavement, is confined at hard labor as a criminal?”
“Ah sir! I was quite a youth when I came here. I was innocent, but I had none to defend me.”
“Is it possible!” said he, and walked toward the governor of the prison, with whom he entered into conversation.
The next day I received a full discharge from my sentence, and a handsome present of money from the chief architect.
I was free!
