"'Then it must be the Masons?'
"'What, the Masons? Pooh-pooh! my friend. Ours is a society that never ends and is bigger than the Masons.'
"'And when will you allow me to enter?'
"'I must school you first,' he grumbled, eyeing me suspiciously. 'And when you become known to the heads, and are respected, then we will christen you.'
"'You will christen me?' I exclaimed.
"'Yes.'
"'How is that? I have already been baptized in the Roman Catholic religion, and now you would baptize me again?'
"'Certainly!' he grinned. 'But it is not a matter of religion. You are christened into the society. We give you a title that you will bear in secret, a title that will make you obeyed and respected in all parts of the world.'
"'I am curious to attend a meeting of your society.'
"'In time you will attend; but first, I would have to ask the superiors.'